Im am thinking about buying a 33 foot Tartan Ten/SL in Florida and sailing her back to where I am currently living, a small West African Country just south of Dakar. I would need to be sailing her over around Nov. or Dec via the Canary Islands. I have limited sailing experience. I've done a little sailing in the coastal waters off Scotland and a little freshwater sailing. however If I do this I will be living aboard my Tartan for the next 8 months learning her and sailing her around St. Petersburg. Is this do-able?
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mmmmm
Tartan Ten has no storage, not alot of freshwater tanks, not a big fuel tank. It's an older race boat...here is what Practical Sailor says "While we wouldn't consider the Tartan Ten to be one of the better-built racers, she doesn't have to be. Since she is primarily intended to race against her sisters, consistency between boats is perhaps more important than superior (and hence, more expensive) construction. The major construction criterion she must meet is to be sufficiently seaworthy to endure an occasional short offshore race. She meets this criterion, although, like too many production boats, she barely makes it." It will take a month to cross during the winter when there are constant gales in the Atlantic, it's cold, you don't have ocean experience, yes it can be done, but I see this as a feat comparable to climbing Mt. Everest with only a couple of hikes up a local hill for training. Best of Luck
Tartan Ten has no storage, not alot of freshwater tanks, not a big fuel tank. It's an older race boat...here is what Practical Sailor says "While we wouldn't consider the Tartan Ten to be one of the better-built racers, she doesn't have to be. Since she is primarily intended to race against her sisters, consistency between boats is perhaps more important than superior (and hence, more expensive) construction. The major construction criterion she must meet is to be sufficiently seaworthy to endure an occasional short offshore race. She meets this criterion, although, like too many production boats, she barely makes it." It will take a month to cross during the winter when there are constant gales in the Atlantic, it's cold, you don't have ocean experience, yes it can be done, but I see this as a feat comparable to climbing Mt. Everest with only a couple of hikes up a local hill for training. Best of Luck
Good Book
On ocean sailing is Reese Palley's "There be No Dragons." It is both hilarious and useful, particularly for beginners. Unfortunately, one of the "rules" as outlined in the book, is that one never, ever, sail the North Atlantic in winter. Period. This advice will keep you alive. Check out the link. Drew
On ocean sailing is Reese Palley's "There be No Dragons." It is both hilarious and useful, particularly for beginners. Unfortunately, one of the "rules" as outlined in the book, is that one never, ever, sail the North Atlantic in winter. Period. This advice will keep you alive. Check out the link. Drew
Poor choice
Leaving aside the very serious concerns already reaised, just look at the economics: To cross the Atlantic you'd need a liferaft, EPIRB, Immersion Suit, Sea anchor, SSB and/or satphone, etc...probably $10-15K worth of stuff. By the time you have the boat set up for a transatlantic crossing, you'll spend twice that. Yes, people go without all that stuff, but they don't go without it on marginal boats in the Atlantic winter! It would be far less stressful, to both you and the boat, and probably cheaper to have her taken across by a yacht transporter such as Dockwise.
Leaving aside the very serious concerns already reaised, just look at the economics: To cross the Atlantic you'd need a liferaft, EPIRB, Immersion Suit, Sea anchor, SSB and/or satphone, etc...probably $10-15K worth of stuff. By the time you have the boat set up for a transatlantic crossing, you'll spend twice that. Yes, people go without all that stuff, but they don't go without it on marginal boats in the Atlantic winter! It would be far less stressful, to both you and the boat, and probably cheaper to have her taken across by a yacht transporter such as Dockwise.
Ship it!
It takes years' of accumulated experience to do the crossing across the pond. Plus the weather at that time of year is unpredictable. I'd look into having the boat shipped on a boat carrier to an East-African or Mediterranean port.
It takes years' of accumulated experience to do the crossing across the pond. Plus the weather at that time of year is unpredictable. I'd look into having the boat shipped on a boat carrier to an East-African or Mediterranean port.
What about an Islander
What about with a 30 foot Islander? Im looking at several boats. I appreciate the cautions about my lack of experience.
What about with a 30 foot Islander? Im looking at several boats. I appreciate the cautions about my lack of experience.
Atlantic Crossing
Justin, I sailed across the North Atlantic in August/September of 2002 in a 72 foot steel-hulled cutter with 16 sailors and two full watches. We were racing, but it was stressful. You'll be further south enroute to the Canaries but unless you have competent crew and some serious ocean experience, the advice you're getting is sound. Ship it there and enjoy yourself while you're in Africa. It's not worth the risk to be able to say you did it. David Hoch S/V Abundance H260
Justin, I sailed across the North Atlantic in August/September of 2002 in a 72 foot steel-hulled cutter with 16 sailors and two full watches. We were racing, but it was stressful. You'll be further south enroute to the Canaries but unless you have competent crew and some serious ocean experience, the advice you're getting is sound. Ship it there and enjoy yourself while you're in Africa. It's not worth the risk to be able to say you did it. David Hoch S/V Abundance H260
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