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scarlet · 06-01-2014, 16:07

I know there a lot of folks here who do coastal cruising and cruising in the Carribean.. but have any of you done some serious blue water cruising (in a multihull)? across the atlantic? or Pacific?.. circumnavigation?

I'm just wondering what that is like. I, of course, dream of doing that myself.. but, I must admit.. the thought of it scares me. I don't want fear to hold me back from realizing a dream... so, knowing others who have done it (and survived..

) would help alleviate some of that fear..

so... anyone done it? thoughts? stories? pro's/cons? Would you do it again?

Sand crab · 06-01-2014, 18:47

They went around the world on a cat with no sailing experience at all. Start at the beginning!
Bumfuzzle

44'cruisingcat · 06-01-2014, 19:44

We've only done a 1000 mile passage. The weather wasn't great, but otherwise it was fine. Nothing to be scared of.

Pro's - umm you get to somewhere else.
Con's - That other place might not be as nice as the place you started from...

**boatman61** · 06-01-2014, 19:55

Well... I delivered a Lagoon 380 from the Adriatic to the Canaries... and the owner Wendi... who's a CF member then took it across to St Lucia in the ARC...
She has a Thread running and this is her Blog of the trip..
Sail away with me

Jimbo485 · 06-01-2014, 20:01

We sailed our cat from Florida to Australia.

Good and bad along the way. Get some experience first and then ask more specific questions. There is a lot of knowledge on this forum.

Dave852 · 06-01-2014, 20:46

Yes, I've crossed the pacific twice and looking forward to the third time. Not for everyone though... Like my wife who will join me by plane in the Marquesas next time.

Palarran · 06-01-2014, 21:46

You can read my blog for some info.

Phil, Wendi had one interesting crossing didn't she. You should have stayed with her.

Jeannius · 07-01-2014, 03:24

Crossing oceans is easier than sailing close to land. Less to hit, less to get caught round your keel and prop, deeper water means longer wave interval etc.

Only thing that is more difficult is that you are further away from help if you do get into trouble that you can't handle.

scarlet · 07-01-2014, 04:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave852

Yes, I've crossed the pacific twice and looking forward to the third time. Not for everyone though... Like my wife who will join me by plane in the Marquesas next time.

Does this mean you will sail by yourself!?!? how would you keep 24 hour watch?

scarlet · 07-01-2014, 04:37

Thanks for the links! I'll go out and read their experiences... I have a dream of sailing to the gallapagos, and also easter island... then from there? who knows?

**boatman61** · 07-01-2014, 05:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palarran

You can read my blog for some info.

Phil, Wendi had one interesting crossing didn't she. You should have stayed with her.

Did not have the option mate.. I was a last minute shout when the US skipper she'd originally contracted for the delivery put the screws on her for more money as the time shortened for her.. she was entered for the ARC+.. but ran outa time due to purchase/registration complications.
I'd just arrived in La Gomera on another 380 delivery with an Aussie called Rod.. nice guy and fellow CF member.. now a friend.

Basically it was get there as fast as you can and get the boat to Las Palmas before the ARC.. so I jumped on the ferry to Tenerife the next morning and headed for Bari...
4 weeks before the ARC... sailed 24th Oct.. arrived 15th Nov.. not bad going considering 5 nights were spent in marinas due to heavy winds on the nose..
Wendi had already organised the Dutch couple and the Aussie skipper for the trip...
I was a last minute act of desperation to help her 'Live the Dream'.....

Sand crab · 07-01-2014, 07:34

Scarlet,
Easter Island is 2000 miles from South America and 1200 miles from the nearest island and that is Pitcairn. As the saying goes you can't get there from here. But they say it is worth it.

The Galapagos can be very busy and expensive. You can't just cruise wherever you want to either. Most yotties just stay in the harbors and take the daily tour boats. If you want to visit some of the allowed places on your own boat then you must pay $200 per person on your boat per day! And you must hire a National Park guide at $350 per day and that guide gets his/her own cabin on your boat! Usually only big boats go for this. And these are extra fees on top of the regular clearing in fees which are about $1000 more or less. I'm not saying don't go there just make sure you bring your wallet.

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