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klmmicro · 24-04-2014, 06:31

Okay, I see the pattern. Just trying to get a quasi consensus. I really do not care if I am "blue water", "coastal cruising" or "day sailing". Trying to get a set of terms to use when out with a few folks that frequent the boat out on the water.

While not on my sailboat when it happened, I have been far enough away from a land based VHF station that the transceiver we had could not contact anyone. I agree, that is not really relevant though as it can happen even within sight of land.

We have taken the boat out far enough where land was swallowed by the horizon. At that point, I was not considering an insurance definition of what type of sail we were performing. Now that it has been mentioned though, I guess it would be relevant should anything happen. We were certainly out past the 12 mile line, but still within a range that would could be back in the harbor within several hours.

I do appreciate the conversation here. Part of this is for my log as well. I will not be out so far as to not be able to get to safe harbor within a day on my current boat. Not set up for that really. It is defined as a coastal cruiser by most, and that too folds in to my original inquiry. At what point am I beyond that description...

Again, thank you all for your input. It would indeed seem that there is a lot of grey in the discussion. Also, agree that the region around Oceanside where the boat is slipped is pretty calm 95% of the time. Most days are very light winds in the AM, a steady breeze in the second round of the clock and then tapered to about 0 after the dark sets in.

Blackie Swart · 24-04-2014, 07:21

Our requirements and defined as follows (for South Africa):

LOCAL WATERS SKIPPER
Holders are qualified to skipper a sailboat at sea by day or by night in the local waters as defined for Day Skipper.
COASTAL SKIPPER
Holders are qualified to skipper a sailboat on any coastal passage within 40 nautical miles of the coast by day or by night.
YACHTMASTER OFFSHORE
Holders are qualified to skipper a sailboat on any extended or ocean passage.
YACHTMASTER OCEAN
This qualification is a badge of honour that indicates the holder has mastered celestial navigation.

And so our Insurance cover works on these definitions as well.

jtsailjt · 24-04-2014, 10:01

To me, coastal cruising is out to the point where, if the weather turns uncomfortable or I have some other problem aboard, I can still consider sailing or motoring back to a safe harbor or at least get myself into the lee of some land. At least in my mind, I'm "offshore" when I know I will have to deal with whatever bad weather or other problems that may arise, at sea.

SV Windrush II · 24-04-2014, 10:24

Ok I agree with most of the comments. Coastal Cruising is going from one location to another and still have VHF or Cell contact, or within sight of land.

On the other hand what about the non-stop circumnavigaters that never stop anywhere until they get back to their home port? that ruins the having to end up at a different port theory hahaha

So I guess the requirement is, you have to stay in contact with your same land mass.

Cheechako · 24-04-2014, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by carstenb

I'm not sure there is a "definative" definition. My definition is when ever you are so far from land that it is impracticale to reach harbour/anchroage for the night. Then you are ocean sailing

Yes, I like this one. You are coastal cruising if you can anchor in harbor at night. Not that you must, but can.
My insurance company used to say 75 miles, which meant I could sail the west coat to San Diego and still be coastal cruising!

**boatman61** · 24-04-2014, 10:47

Getting smashed in a different port every night...

ontherocks83 · 24-04-2014, 11:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

Getting smashed in a different port every night...

Done and answered!!!!

I knew you would have the most practical and eloquent way of ending a debate

robert sailor · 24-04-2014, 11:47

Years ago on our first trip to Mexico we sailed 150 miles off the Wa Or coast until we closed in on Southern Calif but I considered that coastal cruising but when we left Mexico for Hawaii I considered that offshore.

valhalla360 · 24-04-2014, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by leightonyachts

On the other hand what about the non-stop circumnavigaters that never stop anywhere until they get back to their home port? that ruins the having to end up at a different port theory hahaha

That's like saying an over the road trucker is camping because he sleeps in his rig in a truck stop. By definition, he is camping out in his truck but I don't think anyone is going to confuse that with camping.

Likewise a guy going out on a stunt run around the world has very little to do with cruising.

**Pete7** · 24-04-2014, 12:06

What constitutes coastal cruising?

Sailing over the bit of land between high and low water in complete confidence

Pete

SV Windrush II · 24-04-2014, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by valhalla360

That's like saying an over the road trucker is camping because he sleeps in his rig in a truck stop. By definition, he is camping out in his truck but I don't think anyone is going to confuse that with camping.

Likewise a guy going out on a stunt run around the world has very little to do with cruising.

Your right! hahaha