Straits of Florida

[slashdotjeo]

Greetings to all!

I know the proper course of action would be to pick up a book and take a few sailing courses at my local club before asking questions.

But,

I'm trying to research what sail boat would be suitable for sailing the Florida Straits? I'm looking for a good inexpensive preferably used boat. My price point is $10,000, if that even possible? I would have a three man crew. My wife, daughter and myself.

• Size of Boat?
• Type of boat?
• Brand of boat?
• Anything else I should be looking for?

I plan to take courses before I buy but you never know when you come across a great deal.

Thanks.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

The thing about great deals is they usually aren't and you need lots of experience to differentiate. Before focusing on a budget or design, figure out as best you can predict where and for how long ( a trip) you plan to sail. Look at lots of different boats and don't focus on how pretty the interior is as that is the least important characteristic. Instead, the most important considerations are how comfortable the cockpit will be as that's where you spend the most time and also carefully consider condition and prior maintenance and care the prior owner has taken, both of which are far more important than the name of the manufacturer.

Welcome to the world of sailing and have fun learning.

 

[31seahorse]

Re: straits of FL There is lots of water out there. Perhaps a large amount of daysailing in protected water is a wise way to start.

Re: crew of three? If your wife and daughter do not have as much training, knowledge, skill, and experience as you have then your "crew of three" becomes a "crew of thee". I would not rush into a situation in which you put that crew in danger.

 

[Sailm8]

If the straits are to be your cruising ground limit your draft to less than 5 feet. Ideally closer to four. Read Sumner's posts here: http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/FL-fall-2010/Florida-2010-index.html

 

[Ray Bowles]

My wife and I learned basic sailing on a newer 26 foot boat sailing inland lakes. Storm and wave height thus presented much less concern. That boat and trailer was $15,000 which we recovered when we sold it.
After those 2 years we went to the Gulf Coast and bought a much larger boat, moved aboard and sailed the coastal waters and then the Florida Straits.
Way different world.
The larger boat adds a certain safety factor but personal sailing skills, time and experences are EVERTHING. In the end we had the time of our lives!
I would suggest starting with a boat in the 22 to 26 foot range as that fits your stated dollar amount. Something with a trailer allows you to spend time at home rigging the boat and learning every part and how and what it does. If the only time you can spend with the boat is somewhere at a dock, after you drive there, then your time with the boat will be dramaticly lower.
You will probably start out as a crew of 1 as it can be hard to get more that 1 person to the boat at the same time due to schedule differences.
You will know when you are ready to cross the Straits and maybe a bigger boat might be in the picture then.
Don't buy a project boat. You'll probably run out of money before you get much sailing done.
Good Luck, you are starting a very rewarding adventure.
Ray

 

[seadaddler]

Price

Your price rang will dictate what boat you will get,something in 20 to 26 ft range most likely a trailer sailor or swing keel with outboard and in the best possible condition for your price rang.
Hunter and catalina or mac or many others are possile,some one who was happy with the boat and took good care of the boat but maybe moving up to larger.
Start looking for boats for sale and shopping like a car,the best condition for the price maybe a lake boat or fresh water boat would be a ggood start.
Nick

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Slash,

The guys responded well to your questions.

I have sailed the straits and can tell you firsthand, you're thinking too far ahead of your skill & experience with sailing & especially OPEN water sail.

It takes time to become a good sailor, everytime I go out I learn some more. As accomplished sailors know, you are always a studunt learning more as you go.

The saying is crawl before you walk. If you are serious, you need to go about it in a logical way. It's not just learning the basics of sail, it's learning safety, weather, seas, tides, rules of the road, mech/electrical systems & associated repairs (and be able to fix while underway).

The straits can be very unforgiving with nasty currents and big seas. Simply go the route and learn step by step. If done properly, it can be a blast. However with little knowledge thus far, I wouldn't risk my family or friends by being in a rush. Besides, what's so special about sailing the straits? Florida is loaded with great waters to sail in.

Finally, $10,000 is not gonna buy much of a boat to accomodate 6 people for open water. Fixer-uppers are notorious for draining your pocket.

CR

 

[Shoaldrafter]

$10,000 for blue water? Even if you know about
how to fix up you will spend twice that fixing up a
boat. I have done it twice.

I have an O'Day 26 which the ad on this site
has run out. I am asking $6,000 for boat and
modified dual axle trailer. Boat has 4 hp motor
which is not a blue water motor. You would
need at least 8 hp.

All O'Day 26's were swing keel. I would say such
boat is a protected waters boat.

see at: http://www.bigwatermarina.com/#!boats_for_sale/crqm

 

[seadaddler]

Sailing Club

Join a local sailing club in the area and start out as crew and spend as much time on the water sailing with club members and learn so much from them and get good advice on sailing ands sailboats.
As said it takes time to learn all about boat handling and learn and learning takes time and out sailing sailboays with veteran sailors will be your best teacher for sure.
nick

 

[slashdotjeo]

Thanks for all the info guys.

 

[capta]

Florida Straits

Let me tell you a little story.
Returning from Brazil with 360,000 cases of catfish (before the US farmed them) on a freighter, I had pumped out my ballast as I passed Miami, preparing to enter the port of Riviera Beach, Fla.
A slight blow from the north came in (25 knots max) and within 20 minutes 1/3 of my ship was coming out of the water as she plowed into the ever increasing seas. Had I not re-ballasted her immediately, she would have broken her back. This was a SHIP not some small pleasure craft!
You are thinking of buying a boat and taking your wife and child out in that volatile area, without a whole lot of experience?
There are those who have crossed from Fla to the Bahamas on a windsurfer, so the boat IS NOT THE ISSUE, at this point.
Get a grip, dude. If you are planning to venture into the Gulf Stream, I would suggest you (anybody) become an accomplished seaman. There are enough inexperienced and unknowledgeable folks out on the water as it is. Why do you want to be like them? Once you've the knowledge and experience, you'll know what boat will suit your needs.

 

[slashdotjeo]

https://vimeo.com/15351476 Nice Video.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Slash,

Don't you think you were abit harsh on this subject?

I looked up your public profile & it said you were looking for a boat, not that you were a boat owner but rather a wisher.

So the guy that posted the orig. question was jumping the gun, but wouldn't it be better to get advice from folks that know, and based upon this, help him make the best choices???

Where's the help in beating him up of instilling FEAR? And, from what point of reference are you offering this assistance?

Get my point man............

CR
I thought people that live in glass houses should not throw stones.

 

[Hollyweirdos]

Check out the Rhodes 22. Looks very seaworthy and beefy as is. Affordable too. Study the weather and go for it. I am going to sail my little 17 over sooner or later. You can check out the seaworthy test on the small craft advisor Web site. The weather will determine your trip. There are loads of days where the gulfstream is like a lake.

 

[hurricanehole]

Hi-yes learn to sail in different types of weather and buy a boat that can be tossed around a bit. The Bahamas is not far and with an eye towards the weather you'll get to the Banks overnight. It's beautiful there, good luck, that's great your wife and daughter want to go. We made a six week trip there on a Compac 23, they are for sale in your budget, though small for three people.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Look at boats in the 23' to 26' range and then look at boats in the 27' to 30' range and notice the tremendous difference in room.

If I were you, I would want a boat that is comfortable enough to take for small trips and secure enough with a fixed keel. A shoal draft would be best in Florida to get you into nice anchorages.

Personally, I think it would be a waste of time to look at smaller boats with light displacement. Your interest seems to be a little more adventurous for that. Everybody's advise to slow down and make sure you learn the basics is valid, but everybodies learning curve is different. We don't know how aggressively you will be seeking time on the water. Your learning curve may be very steep for all we know.

You can't go wrong if you are looking at a small, older pocket cruiser, in good shape, with a lead ballasted shoal draft keel. There should be plenty on the market at very reasonable prices. There should be makes of all kinds, including O'Day, Hunter, Catalina, Beneteau, Cal, even maybe a Tartan, Sabre, Pearson, Erickson, Starwind, Precision, and we could go on and on. The brand name isn't so important as the condition and how old the components may be. Make sure it has an inboard diesel engine in GOOD running condition. Even repairs or rebuilds of a small diesel will cost lots of money so don't get suckered into a boat with poor engine.

I think you'll want an inboard, not an outboard. You don't have to be frightened if it happens to be an Atomic gasoline engine if it is running well.

Our Starwind 27 would be perfect for starting out in your waters. It's a performance-oriented pocket cruiser and has all the boat systems that make learning possible. It's a great model as a stepping-stone to something more impressive. I'd be looking for something like that if I were you. All you have to do is begin searching ... there is the right boat out there for you!

 

[MrBill_FLL]

27' catalina... FL straight is kind of ambiguous. are you wanting to cross to the bahamas? what time of year make all the difference. in june you can waterski across. in January, you will sink if a front comes thru. (ok maybe). once the north winds hit the opposing current it becomes very nasty fast. if you bump your budget to 15-20k then some 30's like a cat 30 would be better. one thing to consider is storage and holding. going to the islands everything is $$$$. and if you are on a budget you need to carry more. -fwiw, water is .65/gal last time I checked, and ice is 8$/bag. an inboard is almost required for motoring in open oceans.... (yes outboards can work... if its smooth). more details on your goals, port and experience. PS: budget for slip? or you must have a trailer/dry sailer due to budget? I think miami beach marina is 600/mo min... similar at dinner key or crandon.