So Don...

[Gary Wyngarden]

I'm in the process of purchasing a Nauticat 52 named Raven down in Puerto Vallarta. In addition to the main, genoa, and assymetric spinnaker I'm used to sailing with, Raven is a cutter-rigged ketch complete with mizzen, staysail, mizzen staysail, storm jib, and a yankee.Any general advice on use of sails and sail trim given all these options?Thanks for your help.Gary Wyngarden

 

[Ross]

gary , time for you to purchase the Sail Makers Apprentice

The author discusses all of these sails in considerable detail. I think that you are in for a great adventure and wish you all the very best.

 

[Gary Wyngarden]

So Ross . . .

Maybe the Sorcerer's Apprentice would be a better choice. Thanks for the input. I'll check it out.Gary Wyngarden

 

[Don12480]

big jump

Gary, That's a big jump from an H37.5 - tell us about your plans - are you bringing it north or heading out on a longer adventure. It looks like a beautiful yacht - good luck. Good Luck Don

 

[Gary Wyngarden]

Don from White Rock

We are planning to leave the boat in Puerto Vallarta through next Winter and cruise the West Coast of Mexico and the Sea of Cortez. We're planning to ship the boat on Dockwise from LaPaz to Vancouver next spring and then head for Alaska. And then ... we'll see. Gary Wyngarden

 

[Joseph Shirley]

Gary check your insurance policy

Many cruisers take their boats further north for winter storage. It's a good trip, especially if you cruise north along the Baha. There is an annual cruisers rendezvous in Puerto Escondido called Loreto Fest that lasts for about 4 days generally on the first full weekend in May.Cruisers go north for two reasons. One is because of insurance requirements to be north of 27 N latitude during the hurricane season, and the other is to get out of the hurricane zone for your own safety. Many boats have been badly damaged from La Paz south.A popular storage area is San Carlos, Sonora. It's just north of the line and they have a storage yard (Marina Seca) thats almost a mile inland that holds over 600 boats.Puerto Vallarta is a great place to go south or west from, but you should enjoy the Baha and the Sea of Cortez also, and in April the prevailing winds switch from the north to the south, and its a nice sail.