Picking the brain of seasoned sailors

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by dlj

I don't know that I agree the greater problem is less capable. The Pardey's first boat was 24 feet, their second boat was 28 feet. I think they were both VERY capable boats...

dj

It wasn't the boats that were very capable.

[Statistical]

Originally Posted by Jammer

It wasn't the boats that were very capable.

Exactly. An exceptional crew can overcome limits of the vessel or at least stretch them. Solo sailor minimal (no?) experience with limited budget (meaning older less equipped) in a small boat planning to travel offshore is just playing the game on hard difficulty.

[JPA Cate]

Hello Gavin, welcome aboard CF, where opinions abound.

One thing you ought to do is consider the distance involved, the necessity for lay days for resting, shopping, fixing things, and the reality that your average speed is unlikely to exceed 5 knots. Then look again at that distance, divide it by 5, and that would give you the fastest possible (due to hull speed constraints) number of hours your trip would take you. Of course, you can also work it for days.

Another problem you have to solve is that you will need rest, and that close to shore is where the most traffic is. There is a legal requirement to keep watch at all times. Mostly singlehanders hope not to be hit. Two handed does allow for on/off watch keeping.

Right now, your biggest problem is that you've no idea what you're getting into. It is not without risk. You're not going to make easy money or create a big enough following in your time frame to crowd fund yourself.

I personally, agree with Trente Pieds above, that 30 ft. is plenty for the journey, but then my first ocean passage was doublehanded on a 30 footer, and I know a couple who circumnavigated on a 26 footer, another who sailed from Oz to Canada on a 24 footer, and another who circumnavigated on a 27 footer. I think you are underestimating the costs involved in getting the boat up to snuff for a trip of the suggested magnitude. You will need at least a dodger for sun and weather protection, and a tiller pilot, for sure. And, you need to learn how to sail well enough to keep yourself safe. You will need to decide between celestial navigation (which won't work well if it is overcast or foggy) and paper charts (if you can get them), or GPS and electronic charting (which an overdose of water could render useless). Paper charts can patiently be dried. Beware of computer assisted groundings! Fair winds will help immensely.


Ann

[NorthCoastJoe]

https://www.moore24.org/blog/2019/5/...is-30000-miles

[dlj]

Originally Posted by Jammer

It wasn't the boats that were very capable.

I believe this should be written "It wasn't just the boats that were very capable."

Ya gotta admit - Taleisin is one mighty seaworthy boat... (As was Seraffyn...)

dj

[keepondancin]

Look for the book “gentleman’s Guide to Passages South”, The Thornless Path by Bruce VanZant. Probably not in print, but available. Describes just what you want. It was the Bible for some of us, back before chart plotters and internet. Gives you some good info about the basic trip, sailing strategies, and good places to visit. We tried doing a one year cruise,but sailed back to the States 10 years later. A lot of people cruised back then in smaller boats, survived and had a great cruise. An older Bristol, in good condition is a good boat that will take care of you.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by NorthCoastJoe

https://www.moore24.org/blog/2019/5/...is-30000-miles

The only reason a boat like this could sail as far as it did was because Webb Chiles was the Skipper.

It's a terrible boat to take offshore.

It's best used is for racing in protected waters or on some lake.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by dlj

I believe this should be written "It wasn't just the boats that were very capable."

Ya gotta admit - Taleisin is one mighty seaworthy boat... (As was Seraffyn...)

dj

You really cannot compare a "small" sailboat like the Pardey's Boat Taleisin to other small sailboats.

For one thing, even though it was only 29'6" long it displaced 17,400 lbs.

That's close to what a modern 35'-40' boat of today displaces.

[dlj]

Originally Posted by thomm225

You really cannot compare a "small" sailboat like the Pardey's Boat Taleisin to other small sailboats.

For one thing, even though it was only 29'6" long it displaced 17,400 lbs.

That's close to what a modern 35'-40' boat of today displaces.

In fact the point I am making is that blanket statements such as "small boat is bad" are fundamentally erroneous.

What is paramount is boat design.

dj

[Fore and Aft]

Gavin something like this Jeanneau below could do the ICW and the Bahamas. I am not sure I would want to go further. But if you're only allowing a short time then maybe that's as far as you will go.
Thom225 remember the Pardeys were midgets so a 8.5 ton 29 foot yacht would have felt like a small ship.
Cheers