Coastal voyage - Dart 18

[Govert]

Hi,

I was planning to go on a trip in november-december with a medium size catamaran like the Dart 18, with 2 people on the catamaran in total. The route I want to go is along the east European coast(Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain). My question is what should I take in mind or if it's possible at all. I'm not new to the catamaran neither am I to sea sailing, but I never went on a trip like this. I hope some of you have done a trip like this or have tips/advice for me.

Thanks,
Govert

[tamicatana]

Beachcat=wet ride. Nov/dec in area of interest=cold.

Eew. Have a damned good drysuit.

[Govert]

And is there any kind of communication used on trips like this. If for example your mast breaks down and you are nowhere near the shore. And is there certain food you could easily take with you.

Thanks

[cal40john]

EPIRB

[tamicatana]

If available in Europe, options include the SPOT and the FAST FIND devices. And a handheld waterPROOF VHF

See if you can look up equipment lists for what they call "raids" which is effectively what you propose

[boatman61]

An important thing would be a Nav course and a good compass/gps... the route your talking about has North coasts to Ushant then its West France then North Spain...
Having sailed that way in Nov-Dec I can vouch for the fact it will be damn cold... the wind chill will get you...
Mind I was crossing the Biscay in a Hurley 22 Ushant to Viviero direct not coast hopping and the many times I got waves dump on me in the cockpit I was grateful... it warmed me up for a while...
I'd suggest heavy duty wet suits and unlined wind proofs... and each morning before setting of again fill a giant flask each with hot water... when the cold gets to much tip some down the neck of the wet suit... warms you up a treat
A Tiki 21 would be better for the trip..

[Therapy]

There seems to be a rash of these Trolls lately, no?

[tamicatana]

What's he trolling for?

[Govert]

The problem is I don't have enough money for anything bigger than something like the dart 18. But maybe it's a bit too much in nov-dec. But those are the only months I have no study. Is there a easier route to somewhere with a cat? And isnt a coast map, epirb and compass enough? Im planning on staying very close to the coast so i can see the coast almost all the time.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Govert

Hi,

I was planning to go on a trip in november-december with a medium size catamaran like the Dart 18, with 2 people on the catamaran in total. The route I want to go is along the east European coast(Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain). My question is what should I take in mind or if it's possible at all. I'm not new to the catamaran neither am I to sea sailing, but I never went on a trip like this. I hope some of you have done a trip like this or have tips/advice for me.

Thanks,
Govert

Our cat guys took some cats to Tioman about 100 miles - in warm tropical climates - they are mostly hard core folks with lots of experience - they all got beat up - but had a blast reportedly.

Seriously - this is the wrong boat and the wrong season for what you want to do.

You are trying to fit a sailing adventure into a winter window of school break. Better find a resort that rents beach cats - fly there and have a good holiday.