Smallest boat for trans Altantic or trans Pacific crossing...

[Brian D]

removehtml]OK... so, what is the smallest boat *YOU* would sail in if *YOU* were to do either a trans Atlantic or trans Pacific crossing? Remember, this is about *YOU*, not someone else.My dream? To go to Hawaii, but not in my Lancer 27PS. I think it *could* do it but I just don't feel that comfortable. If I were going to do this then I would feel better in something like a Catalina 34 or Hunter Legend 37. I don't know much about blue water boats, but maybe a Pacific Seacraft Maria 31 would also be a choice.My 2¢ worth.Error: Error: expected [/URL], but found [/removehtml] instead[/removehtml]

 

[Rick D]

Not Too Big

If I were singlehanding, my choice would be totally different from a crewed voyage. Singlehanding, I think 30-35' is good if set up properly. My 40.5 is great for four on a longer passage, but I wouldn't want to singlehand her that far (altho I do singlehand her on coastal cruises often). For singlehanded passages, I'd go for a Gulf 32 for comfort and ease of handling. Actually, my Vision 32 was a joy to singlehand too. However, any of these boats will have to be tweaked somewhat for that trip in terms outfitting. RD

 

[Napa Ed]

650

If I was strong enough, an Open 6.5 or 650 used in the Mini Transat

 

[KennyH]

30-33 seem what I would want.

I did a single handed trip from North Carolina to the Bahamas and North Carolina to Bermuda on a 33 foot cheoy lee and that seemed the ideal size for offshore work. Any larger and the sails can be hard to handle in a blow. Any smaller and the boat would not handle the weather you are sure to hit. Just my 2cents. I plan on a 38 foot boat for retirement but will be mostly coastwise rather than long offshore passages. However that said, have you ever seen a North Sea 27? Could probably handle offshore as well as much larger boats.

 

[Brian D]

No, I haven't seen the Nor' Sea 27

That is a n-i-c-e looking boat. Real nice. Not a bad price @ $112k complete.

 

[CalebD]

Here is a link to the Nor'Sea 27 sailboat

brought to you by the same folks who make the Montgomery 13', 15' & 17' etc.http://www.norseayachts.com/norsea27.php

 

[Steve]

Just Right

I like the boat Carnival has. I "sailed" it the last time I went to the Bahamas.I had no problems with my crew and the meals were excellent.I just don't see how I could "sail" that distance on anything smaller than 900'. : )

 

[Ross]

Donna Lange sailed around alone in a 28 southern cross

I would go in a heart beat if Nancy was willing and I could afford it. The boat I have is what I would take. 30 feet, full keel, attached rudder, lots of stowage below the water line. Water tight lazeratte and water tight bulkhead to 3 feet above the water line in the Vee berth. Plenty of water tankage, Lloyds rated hatches and portlights.

 

[sailaway78]

My .02

I don't necessarily disagree with any of the posts concerning size. One thing I have noted is some smaller boats than I would have thought would be mentioned. Also, have to wonder about the beam on these. While you can argue pros/cons about beam, there can be no question that a beamier boat offers much more room. Have to wonder how many have actually done any long distance cruising on the smaller boats they say they would be comfortable with. For me, I think I would feel safe in any well built quality boat of 27 or 28 ft. or more. However there is much to be said for creature comforts, and no one can argue with the fact that a bigger boat is more comfortable. That puts my choice at around 35 ft. with a nice wide beam and a full keel. The nicest offshore ride I have been on is TonyB's Allied 39. It isn't the fastest by a long shot, and it won't point as high as a lot of others. But the boat is stable, sure footed, tracks well, and has a sail plan that's pretty easy to handle. For a safe and secure feeling, plenty of space and storage, bigger is hard to beat.

 

[CalebD]

There are a lot of nice boats that would do it.

There are Swans, Cheoy-Lees, Tayanas and the list goes on of boats I can neither afford or really want at the moment, that would be good bets for single handing across an ocean. But for mere moxey or youthful exuberance I like the way Robert Gainer and purportedly Tristan Jones (among others) have crossed the big ponds in boats that most people consider harbor, bay, estuary, or pocket cruiser sailboats. I think I am too old to try it but it would be fun to sail to Nantucket on my 19' Lightning and see all the shocked faces of the cruisers in their 30+ cruisers. One of these days I would love to drive up to Beacon, NY from NYC just to meet Robert Gainer. Hopefully this Spring.

 

[Jim]

Sunfish!

why not?

 

[Joe]

Sail Magazine Feb 08....

page 58: "'Seabird' Flies Across the Atlantic"

 

[Ken13531]

Read about what makes a blue water boat.

I own a Catalina 30. I would love to take it to Hawaii but....I sailed there previously on a Valiant 40 which is a true blue water boat.Some things about the Catalina that give me concern are: Cockpit is very big. While this is great for entertaining and giving rides around the lake, it is not conducive to quick draining if you have a large wave dump on you out in the wild blue yonder. The companionway is very easy for cabin access on the Catalina. The Valiant is smaller and not as easy but it is built to keep water out of the cockpit. Lazzaretes should be self draining back to the cockpit but not open inside all the way to the bilge. Catalina mast is stepped on the cabin top. Great room down below but I might feel safer it it was keel stepped. The Valiant has what looks like a fin keel but with a skeg rudder. Less chance of having the rudder knocked off by something that goes bump in the night, and believe me, there will be mysterious bumps. If I were going alone I would look at something like Donna Lange sailed. It was great for one person and small means easier to handle. Please let us know what you decide on and give us some trip reports.Fair winds.Ken

 

[Brian D]

Hahahaha...

I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. This was just an open discussion, a dream, an adventure in the mind. So I broached the question if YOU, YOURSELF, were to venture off to the deep blue sea, what would be your boat of choice. Now, I plan to circumnavigate the Channel Islands one day. Maybe not all of the at the same time, but maybe one at a time. Just to get practice for, who knows, one day I may get a desire to, as Forest Gump said, go for a run. I would like to have some experience under my keel.Nah, not now though. No long trips for me in my Lancer.

 

[Ross]

BrianD, There is a grand question that works for

times like this; Could you sail for 24 hours if you had someone to help you stand watch? Yes ? good! then you can sail for one day at a time until you have crossed an ocean. Someone was talking about how you can gain ocean crossing experience without crossing an ocean? I suggested that you could sail out to sea for 24 hours and then sail back. It has all of the elements of an ocean crossing except the time and the boredom. You must know your navigation and your destination. From your home port if you sailed west by compass for 24 hours and turned and sailed east for 24 hours you would probably be north of your home port and quite lost without your charts and navigational fixes. I think the current runs north along your coast? yes?I play these mind games with myself quite often because while I may never sail beyond The Chesapeake Bay in my boat, I can sail all over the world in my mind.

 

[newly anonymous]

1,000 square feet

sail area, that is.

 

[OldCat]

To go across an ocean, I'd want a

I'd want an Island Packet 350. Not too big, not too small. Solidly built, and has an angle of vanishing stability of 141 degrees, IMHO, significantly more than the ~120 degrees of a typical production fin keeler. The long keel would help with seakeeping and self steering stability. All of this would help me to sleep a little. If I could afford it, and could go across an ocean, this would be my choice.For now, I sail lighter, faster, more responsive and fun boats in more protected waters...OC

 

[Brian D]

Ross...

I think you are correct. However, I do not know to be honest with you. Nor can I find a site that will tell me. But most marine reports have our currents running from the South or Southwest with the predominate winds from the Northwest. So it is possible, given the scenario presented that I could be blown south of my starting point.This is one discipline I must learn more about.But I would start small, say 4 hours out, 1 hour heave-to, 4 hours back. Of course, we know that would never happen like that.

 

[Joe]

Brian and Ross, I believe you're holding the map.....

...upside down. Out here the predominant current runs north to south down the coastline. That's why they call the cruiser rally down to mexico the Ba Ha Ha and the return trip to US waters the Baja Bash!!!!http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/8q_1.htmlAs far as boat size goes..... it's not as important as preparation and experience. Think of the "Dove" (Cal 24???, someone help)

 

[Ross]

Joe I found the coast pilot for the California coast

and they agree with you. the current runs S at about .2 knot from 45 N to 30 N. Therefore if I sailed west for 24 hours and turned and sailed back I could be about 10 NM south of my port if I failed to account for set.