Sailing the Fierce 50's

[CaptJamesCook]

1. Have you sailed the Fierce 50's?
2.If so what direction east to west or west to east?
3. How many days did you spend in the 50's?
4. What latitudes?

5.What boat & size did you sail?
6. What did you learn about the boat equipment/rigging?
7. What clothing did you wear? Any brand names?

8. What would you do different to prepare for this same trip?
9. How were they different than the Roaring 40's

Was that way to many questions?

[boatman61]

Sailed in em.. Man I've lived in em.. the UK S Coast is 52N roughly..

[sapient sue]

We grew up in a fishing port situated 55 degrees north. We sailed in a 14ft National Enterprise and sailed up and down the Northumberland coast. We did not have an engine or a radio but a good pair of oars and much local knowledge. I guess this is not the sort of reply you wanted but sailing in these latitudes was an everyday occurrence for us hardy northerners.

Cheers Sue

[CaptJamesCook]

When you are located in that latitude it would be pretty everyday stuff ..
Looks like you are in Australia now?
Are you going to sail around Cape Leeuwin or the south east cape?

Guess we don't have many who have sailed Cape horn on here,,

[rbk]

I assume you're referring to the furious 50's and you may want to elaborate as to its meaning as I think you've been misinterpreted here.

[CaptJamesCook]

Boatman Here!~ Here!~
When I was in College spent a year at Cambridge. Trinity Hall.
One thing I learned while punting on the River Cam was turn your pole and pull. Other wise you end up hanging from pole off the boat(eventually in the water) or in a boat with out a pole..

RBK It was fague I did mean the southern 50's but I like Boatman he brings lot to the table.. The North 50's can be a little hacky also.

[rbk]

Our regular stomping grounds are between 55-60N so and yes they can. I was fairly certain you meant south but yes north and south lats can both be far more interesting

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by CaptJamesCook

1. Have you sailed the Fierce 50's?
2.If so what direction east to west or west to east?
3. How many days did you spend in the 50's?
4. What latitudes?

5.What boat & size did you sail?
6. What did you learn about the boat equipment/rigging?
7. What clothing did you wear? Any brand names?

8. What would you do different to prepare for this same trip?
9. How were they different than the Roaring 40's

Was that way to many questions?

Only crazy people and the French circumnavigate in the 50's......

The slightly more sane stick to the 40's

Being slightly more sane I have - over time - sailed from Fremantle via Bass Strait and Cook Strait to Chile in the boat on the left <<<<

Is a long way .. is all...

There is nothing to be gained by going south of about 45* S

You save a few miles but are just setting yourself and your boat up for a hiding.

Some interesting info out there by Geoff on 'Sailor's Run' .. he single handed from Ecuador to Ecuador non stop a few years back.

[Snowpetrel]

Sailed down in the roaring 40's and furious 50's and the screaming 60's a few times now. Worst area seems to be about 45-55s but it varies a fair bit on location, season and random chance as the systems go through. Sometimes getting further south means the weather gets much better as the lows track north. Other times north is the place to be. Certainly its a lot warmer further north. I don't think its worth trying to shave miles by heading south unless you need to.

Good gloves, a windvane, spray dodger and lots of warm merino gear is very nice. If the boat is set up well you don't need to get too wet or cold.

[Snowpetrel]

Have a good look at climatology on openCPN. It has a pretty good statistical model of the weather for different months. Also it is worth checking out the currents on something like windytv. Get in the a backeddy of this in a strong westerly and things would get nasty pretty quick.

Spend a few days winter camping up in the snow to test out gear. Neoprene boots are better than normal rubber boots.

[El Pinguino]

Problem with going a long way south is you get under the lows and cop easterlies... same same if you stay too far north and end up above the highs...

[boatman61]

Ahahahaa. Yup..!!! punting can be embarrassing...
The 50N comments were me being lighthearted.. for those more serious about life and CF than I am.

Originally Posted by CaptJamesCook

Boatman Here!~ Here!~
When I was in College spent a year at Cambridge. Trinity Hall.
One thing I learned while punting on the River Cam was turn your pole and pull. Other wise you end up hanging from pole off the boat(eventually in the water) or in a boat with out a pole..

RBK It was fague I did mean the southern 50's but I like Boatman he brings lot to the table.. The North 50's can be a little hacky also.

[Snowpetrel]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

Problem with going a long way south is you get under the lows and cop easterlies... same same if you stay too far north and end up above the highs...

Very true, though sometimes you get a band of light westerlies or a calm close to the low centre and below the front.

People have this idea that the roaring 40's always blows, but I've drifted around there a fair bit, probably as much as I have been in stronger winds. So easy to handle light air sails and reasonable light air performance pay big dividends at times, and gives you strategic options that an undercanvased boat won't have without chewing through diesel.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Snowpetrel

Very true, though sometimes you get a band of light westerlies or a calm close to the low centre and below the front.

People have this idea that the roaring 40's always blows, but I've drifted around there a fair bit, probably as much as I have been in stronger winds. So easy to handle light air sails and reasonable light air performance pay big dividends at times, and gives you strategic options that an undercanvased boat won't have without chewing through diesel.

Yup , and if you are in v light conditions don't go poking off down to the south looking for wind cos the high will go bugger orf muy pronto and you will be delivered more wind and sea than you either want or desire ...in spades. Don't ask me how I know this....

1020 is the magic number....

Of course if heading for the Horn the secret of survival is knowing when to drop down into the 50's.......

[sapient sue]

Originally Posted by CaptJamesCook

When you are located in that latitude it would be pretty everyday stuff ..
Looks like you are in Australia now?
Are you going to sail around Cape Leeuwin or the south east cape?

Guess we don't have many who have sailed Cape horn on here,,

Yes we have been located in Australia since 1971 and took to full time liveaboard 20.5 years ago. Have sailed Aus to Alaska and have been round the southern capes of Tassie several times. We cruise Tasmania every year we are not offshore in the Pacific islands.

Cheers Sue