hi,i live on the obx of nc,i want to sail to florida and then to the carribean,now my question is how large of a boat would i need to be able to do this?im not really worried about being cramped but more so actually getting there...would this boat do? http://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/634027591.html
traveling question for sailers
- Thread starter dressedingreen
- Start date
- Status
It would be the minimun
I would recomend 27 foot as the minimun but there are some smaller boats that could do the job. You want a ballast to displacement ratio of 40% or more. I don't know much about the reputation of the morgan 25 and you need to do your homework on any boat brand you consider. It is mostly about your own seamanship so start on the waterway with small trips outside in the ocean till you get comfortable with your skills. Any marina will have owners with experience to give you help. Good luck. I did this several times on a 33 foot boat and it was great.
I would recomend 27 foot as the minimun but there are some smaller boats that could do the job. You want a ballast to displacement ratio of 40% or more. I don't know much about the reputation of the morgan 25 and you need to do your homework on any boat brand you consider. It is mostly about your own seamanship so start on the waterway with small trips outside in the ocean till you get comfortable with your skills. Any marina will have owners with experience to give you help. Good luck. I did this several times on a 33 foot boat and it was great.
Another can of worms 
Here we go with the size thing again. Always interesting responses, so I'll start it off and toss the first stone. I would consider this boat marginal. Probably OK if you are pretty good, and have a little bit of luck. I personally would want an inboard engine. Sooner or later you will get caught in some snotty weather, and having to depend on an outboard hanging off the stern, which is likely to get completely submerged by a big following sea doesn't appeal to me at all. And you will be cramped. It will take some thinking and planning to get enough food, water, fuel, spare parts and all the other needed stuff crammed in there. Not to mention the wanted stuff. Remember, on the necessities, do not plan on a two day passage, and put supplies aboard for two days. You need a pretty good margin of error for all the necessary items. But, I will not try to tell you not to do it, you can't do it, or you shouldn't do it. JUST GO FOR IT Let the games begin.
Here we go with the size thing again. Always interesting responses, so I'll start it off and toss the first stone. I would consider this boat marginal. Probably OK if you are pretty good, and have a little bit of luck. I personally would want an inboard engine. Sooner or later you will get caught in some snotty weather, and having to depend on an outboard hanging off the stern, which is likely to get completely submerged by a big following sea doesn't appeal to me at all. And you will be cramped. It will take some thinking and planning to get enough food, water, fuel, spare parts and all the other needed stuff crammed in there. Not to mention the wanted stuff. Remember, on the necessities, do not plan on a two day passage, and put supplies aboard for two days. You need a pretty good margin of error for all the necessary items. But, I will not try to tell you not to do it, you can't do it, or you shouldn't do it. JUST GO FOR IT Let the games begin.
better question would be
is the crew able to safely do this trip? If you have little or no offshore experience, it really matters little what size boat you choose. If you do have the requisite experience, you could probably answer your own question. It's all about the crew's ability and a well maintained boat.
is the crew able to safely do this trip? If you have little or no offshore experience, it really matters little what size boat you choose. If you do have the requisite experience, you could probably answer your own question. It's all about the crew's ability and a well maintained boat.
It can be done
I wouldn't recommend it, but it certainly can and has been done thousands of times. In addition to what Nice N Easy said......Carry as much water as you can. Treat every drop as the last water you will ever see. You never know what can happen on the smallest of trips. Of course when you get there, you can drink rum instead. I would not want to make the trip with an O/B, but it too has been done thousands of times. Really watch your weather reports and don't even come close to cutting yourself short. If you need a full day for a passage, wait for a 3 day weather window. When I was in Biloxi, I met a man that made it from California, through the Panama Canal,most of the Caribbean and on to Florida and ultimately Biloxi, Ms. Prior to this, he had never sailed before. He was middle ages and in slightly above average physical condition. I cant remember the manufacturer of his boat, but it was definately NOT a blue water boat. I remember it was 27' and had an O/B motor. Not a spare inch of deck or interior cabin space. But he did it. Anyway, I figure when you make the short jump to the Bahamas and travel some, you will decide whether you want to continue or not. BTW, if the boat checks out OK, it sounds like a good deal. Cant tell from photos. Hopefully you have a friend that is knowledgeable about sailboats and can look it over for you. Best odf luck in whatever you decide. Tony B
I wouldn't recommend it, but it certainly can and has been done thousands of times. In addition to what Nice N Easy said......Carry as much water as you can. Treat every drop as the last water you will ever see. You never know what can happen on the smallest of trips. Of course when you get there, you can drink rum instead. I would not want to make the trip with an O/B, but it too has been done thousands of times. Really watch your weather reports and don't even come close to cutting yourself short. If you need a full day for a passage, wait for a 3 day weather window. When I was in Biloxi, I met a man that made it from California, through the Panama Canal,most of the Caribbean and on to Florida and ultimately Biloxi, Ms. Prior to this, he had never sailed before. He was middle ages and in slightly above average physical condition. I cant remember the manufacturer of his boat, but it was definately NOT a blue water boat. I remember it was 27' and had an O/B motor. Not a spare inch of deck or interior cabin space. But he did it. Anyway, I figure when you make the short jump to the Bahamas and travel some, you will decide whether you want to continue or not. BTW, if the boat checks out OK, it sounds like a good deal. Cant tell from photos. Hopefully you have a friend that is knowledgeable about sailboats and can look it over for you. Best odf luck in whatever you decide. Tony B
26 feet
I think the Coast Guard recommends a boat 26 feet in length with two forms of propulsion ( sail and engine or two engines ) to cross the gulf stream. With that said a guy sailed a Catalina Capri 18 from California to Hawaii.
I think the Coast Guard recommends a boat 26 feet in length with two forms of propulsion ( sail and engine or two engines ) to cross the gulf stream. With that said a guy sailed a Catalina Capri 18 from California to Hawaii.
You need to contact
Serenity2forU (or something like that)... on this forum someplace. I am sure you could have a healthy debate. Ha.. Ha... Nice and Easy (you didn't throw that stone it at his eye did you)? Very funny! I know the question is whether this boat is suitible for making the trip. If you don't mind being cramped... this is not the issue. There are suitable boats of this size. Bring 2 of everything. Will you have a crew? What is your sailing experience for such an adventure? Have you taken any Coast Guard Aux. Seamanship and/or Navigation courses?
Serenity2forU (or something like that)... on this forum someplace. I am sure you could have a healthy debate. Ha.. Ha... Nice and Easy (you didn't throw that stone it at his eye did you)? Very funny! I know the question is whether this boat is suitible for making the trip. If you don't mind being cramped... this is not the issue. There are suitable boats of this size. Bring 2 of everything. Will you have a crew? What is your sailing experience for such an adventure? Have you taken any Coast Guard Aux. Seamanship and/or Navigation courses?
Dressedingreen, Give it a try and keep us informed .
As you can tell there is considerable difference of opinion on this and we need a good objective report on the experience of someone who has done it. We have all heard of people and boats of lesser qualification having made the trip so we will anticipate your reports of progress and success.
As you can tell there is considerable difference of opinion on this and we need a good objective report on the experience of someone who has done it. We have all heard of people and boats of lesser qualification having made the trip so we will anticipate your reports of progress and success.
Point made by Serenity2forU.....
The points made by Serenity2forU about a Flicka and some of the other boats were valid points, but the cost is very high. For that kind of money, a good Catalina 30 can be had for the same price. For coastal cruising or the Caribbean island hopping, I personally would rather have the Catalina 30. Given the price of the Morgan 25, its pretty obvious that dressingingreen? does not want to or can not spend that kind of money. People always have a tendency of trying to show how someone else did it in a much lesser craft. It is not fair to use that as an example because that is not the norm. If it were, these people would never have made the headlines. I think by the time the author gets to Florida, he will know whether he wants to continue or not. IMHO Tony B
The points made by Serenity2forU about a Flicka and some of the other boats were valid points, but the cost is very high. For that kind of money, a good Catalina 30 can be had for the same price. For coastal cruising or the Caribbean island hopping, I personally would rather have the Catalina 30. Given the price of the Morgan 25, its pretty obvious that dressingingreen? does not want to or can not spend that kind of money. People always have a tendency of trying to show how someone else did it in a much lesser craft. It is not fair to use that as an example because that is not the norm. If it were, these people would never have made the headlines. I think by the time the author gets to Florida, he will know whether he wants to continue or not. IMHO Tony B
Well,
As far as the boat/motor shown in your link; it would appear to be a good deal. The motor alone is worth the asking price, if it runs and is in good shape. As far as cruising to the Carribean on a 25' Morgan, you're ok from OBX down to Fla (staying mostly in the ICW). Waiting for weather you can cross to the Bahamas w/o much trouble and cruise down to at least Georgetown. From there on down to the Carribean, is dicier, witrh longer, rougher, legs. But, if you patiently wait for weather windows, go w/ other cruisers, and get the boat ready properly, IMHO, you can do it. As Sailortonyb says, it has been and can be done... even on a small boat.
As far as the boat/motor shown in your link; it would appear to be a good deal. The motor alone is worth the asking price, if it runs and is in good shape. As far as cruising to the Carribean on a 25' Morgan, you're ok from OBX down to Fla (staying mostly in the ICW). Waiting for weather you can cross to the Bahamas w/o much trouble and cruise down to at least Georgetown. From there on down to the Carribean, is dicier, witrh longer, rougher, legs. But, if you patiently wait for weather windows, go w/ other cruisers, and get the boat ready properly, IMHO, you can do it. As Sailortonyb says, it has been and can be done... even on a small boat.
Not the Size
It's not the size of the boat it's the crews experience more than anything. I don't like the outboard motor for long distance cruising already mentioned. Nick
It's not the size of the boat it's the crews experience more than anything. I don't like the outboard motor for long distance cruising already mentioned. Nick
- Status