Sail from Long Island Sound to Florida

[Andre Caiado]

Hi,

This may seem a childish question but i really do not know.
Is it possible to sail From Long Island Sound to Florida in January.
The boat is a Ta Chiao 54, with a pilot house and I will be alone.

Best
Andre

[scoobert]

yes, bring a winter jacket.

thinking of buying this one?
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1977...s#.UixyCG2k3h4

[Tingum]

Of course it is possible. A good idea? Depends on the weather! You would be much better off aiming further south. Buy a pilot chart and figure it out for yourself.

[Andre Caiado]

Yes, do you know about the boat?

Originally Posted by scoobert

yes, bring a winter jacket.

thinking of buying this one?
1977 Ta Chiao CT 54 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

Yes, do you know about the boat?

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by Andre Caiado

Yes, do you know about the boat?




Yes, do you know about the boat?

a bit overpriced for a '77.
don't skip the survey, also leery of the turbo diesel engine.

[Andre Caiado]

Thank you, I will keep that in mind, I will clearly do the survey.
I like the boat because it is beautiful, and I am planing to go around the world most of the time alone, so I think a big stiff and simple boat with several small sails will be a good option.
Any advice will be welcome.
Previously I had a Hanse 40 that I bought new in europe and sold in NY 3 years ago. But now I believe that a old strong bigger boat simple boat is a better option.
André

[scoobert]

single hand a 54' ketch? not easy, or wise.
i brought my 45' ketch home solo, 1 weeks trip. dreadful.
its a ton of work on a sailboat so large. and docking? lol. dont try it in a current.

[DSDman]

once things start to freeze it will get exponentially harder. it's very cold then. Beautiful boat however, search for wind wanderer here and you can read up on vic and sandy and their boat. They have been sailing quite a bit just the two of them. If you need help in the delivery there are folks around who would do it. Dave Townley and his daughter Erin are brokers but they also crew and are great folks in general, very reasonable. He has made the trip before, he helped me bring Nirvana down from greenport in March of last year.

[Hud3]

Originally Posted by Andre Caiado

Hi,

This may seem a childish question but i really do not know.
Is it possible to sail From Long Island Sound to Florida in January.
The boat is a Ta Chiao 54, with a pilot house and I will be alone.

Best
Andre

Are you planning to go offshore, or down the ICW? Makes a big difference in the advice you'll get.

[eyschulman]

If offshore and you are alone how will you avoid ships who is keeping a watch? those are some crowded commercial shipping waters you will be passing through.

[annsni]

I'd probably not do it but then again, what do I know? When we bought our boat in Florida and had to bring it to NY (we're on Long Island), we hired a great captain to bring it up. We didn't have to pay for his crew because they paid him to get hours for their captain's licenses. He is well known around here and is a guy I'd highly recommend. PM me if you're interested in getting in touch with him.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by eyschulman

If offshore and you are alone how will you avoid ships who is keeping a watch? those are some crowded commercial shipping waters you will be passing through.

it can be done with a rotation. sleep 30, up 5, sleep 30 up 5. its hell thou.

[hpeer]

AIS transponder is a help, but yes difficult.

Done too much of this stuff myself.

Ran from CT to Cape May three weeks ago, one night only.

But then you can run up the Deleware and down the Chesapeak and make the ICW, if you have under 64' air draft.

[psneeld]

Can easily be done...in the winter the winds north of Hatteras are predominantly west to northwest...they may be high but you can scream down the coast to Norfolk a couple miles off the beach on a reach/broad reach and make good time.

Depending on the rig and engine is how much work has to be done.

Under the right conditions...you can be past Hatteras in 3 days either ICW or offshore. You would have to have someone with you..not usually an issue to find someone to come along...as long as you trust them...it's the trust that's important more than their sailing skills.

Don't take the planning lightly..but ask an experienced skipper with lot's of experience making that trip and they can cut the ragged corners off for you...

[psneeld]

Originally Posted by eyschulman

If offshore and you are alone how will you avoid ships who is keeping a watch? those are some crowded commercial shipping waters you will be passing through.

Only the approaches to NYC, Delaware and Chesapeake....for a few hours each...scream down the coast on a reach from those strong winter westerlies and it's not that big of a deal....not much other traffic out there in January...