Smallest Boat for a Caribbean Voyage

[GordMay]

An entry-level power cruiser.

[w1651]

Originally Posted by scottorious

My sailing is limited to dinghies, hobies, and some different day sailers. Never anything with a keel nor an overnight trip. That will change within these two years. I will be taking some schools to up my experience. I would just prefer to find a boat sooner. Because half the fun for me will be preparation of the boat.

I am in the same boat. I have little experience and I am working on getting more. Here is what I have been doing so far.
Read Read Read
Anything you can get your hands on, Go to the library and get a card. The first thing I have learned about the rules of seamanship is there really isn't any. If you don't want a collision at sea then be aware and make the first move to get out of the way of one because the other guy won't.Take sailing lessons or as the people here have said get with a old salt and crew for him. Go to the local yacht or sailing club and volunteer to crew.
Remember the best way to avoid problems such as weather, boats, and the sea is between your ears. Be smart and be sober!

[w1651]

Here's a link for you to take a look at. He has done two circumnavigations.
Atom Voyages | Voyages Aboard the Sailboat Atom -* Good Old Boats List - choosing a* small voyaging sailboat

[speedoo]

Originally Posted by w1651

The first thing I have learned about the rules of seamanship is there really isn't any. If you don't want a collision at sea then be aware and make the first move to get out of the way of one because the other guy won't.

There are most definitely rules to follow, and you most definitely must know them and follow them, whenever possible.

The "whenever possible" means that there are occasions which will require departure from the Rules. This is when common sense prevails. Alertness and making your intentions known to other vessels in a timely manner are crucial.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by johnar

You could take a canoe and be safe

I agree. the whole Caribbean is only about 400 miles tip to toe, take any old lump of junk that floats, chuck it in the water up wind and hang on till you get to the other end of the Caribs dinking beer on the way.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by GordMay

An entry-level power cruiser.

LMAO.... Nice one...

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by scottorious

looking to plan an island hopping adventure to take place in a couple years and wanted to start looking for a boat to get ready for the trip. Crew size will really just depend on available spots so its not like I have to have room for 8 people or any specific number. Just looking for something that would be safe to take from florida to BVI or possibly further and then come back. Never made such a long journey but thats why it is planned for 2012.

CD25, Tritons, Morgan/Islander30's shoal/lifting keels... the choice is endless tho' shoal draught is best.. go where the 'big boys' cannot...lol

[sww914]

If you go just a hair smaller, 27',there is a lot to choose from with centerboards for not a lot of money. I'd say most 27's will be comfortable for a couple short-term so a single guy will have plenty of room for himself and the occasional overnight guest. Look for adequate tankage. That is a good indicator that the boat was designed to spend more time than just a weekend and ready for more distance than just bar hopping.
I think you could get a well equipped 27 for the same money as a sparsely equipped 30.

[speciald@ocens.]

One thing I've noticed is that the small boats may get there but for some reason never leave; they just turn to floating flotsam. Maybe one trip was enough.

[tager]

I would not hesitate to do it in a well founded cal 20. CAL 20 Sailboat details on sailboatdata.com

Anything with a cabin, of good build quality, would do.
If you want to be more comfortable, a 26' is about as small as you want to go. Standing headroom basically changes boat life from "camping" to "inconvenient." When you get up to 30' boats are downright comfortable, but the maintenance becomes more of a burden.

Anything smaller or lighter than a Cal20 would start to get scary. You want it to be strong, seaworthy, and safe. These are all easy to achieve in a small boat, but the comfort is just not there, and there is some psychological thing about being in a really small boat that makes you feel unsafe.

[boatman61]

Its called "Feelin Bouncy"...