Single Handed Female Sailor

[sailmatch]

Hi, I am a single handed female sailor sailing my own boat - a 26ft catamaran and am on route from England to hopefully get to Australia - I am currently in Spain - on my boat and am wondering on the eventual best route to get me and my boat safely to Australia.
I believe that the Red Sea would be a mite dangerous for me - friends of mine were machine gunned travelling via the Red Sea even though they were travelling in a convey of a few vessels.
The Panama Canal - have the rules changed about the minimum speed requirements? My boat has a 9.9 hp outboard and cannot go faster than 5 knots - I am also worried about taking on strange boat handlers!
Africa - trouble and strife all along the coast or am I wrong?
Can anyone help with advice? Male or Female!
Are there any other single handed female sailors out there? I would love to hear from you especially if you are cruising like me.

[Hud3]

Welcome to Cruisers Forum, Sassy!

CF member, MarkJ, and his wife, Nicole, just transited the Canal, and are in the Galapagos now. Maybe he can help you out. From Europe to Australia, most take the downwind route, East to West. Much easier on the boat and the skipper! And it gives you a chance to sample some great cruising destinations in the Caribbean and South Pacific.

I checked out the photo of your boat on your Profile page. What make is it?

[exfishnz]

Originally Posted by Hud3

I checked out the photo of your boat on your Profile page. What make is it?

I was wondering about that too... hmmm...

[sailmatch]

She is a heavenly twins 26ft Mk1 catamaran - she is one of the original ones built but is in great condition and I am improving her all the time for single handed sailing - I am experimenting with putting pictures on the forum and will put some more up tomorrow.

[exfishnz]

Originally Posted by sailmatch

She is a heavenly twins 26ft Mk1 catamaran - she is one of the original ones built but is in great condition and I am improving her all the time for single handed sailing - I am experimenting with putting pictures on the forum and will put some more up tomorrow.

Hi,

Sorry for the confusion, but I noticed that your homepage goes to a dating site, do you have a personal (blog) page there or something?

[scallywag]

Sassy,
Atom Voyages | Voyaging Around the World on the Sailboat Atom with James and Mei might be a web site you want to visit. The last of June 08 I read he was in the canal zone. I wish you fair winds. I hope you are watching the hurricane zone.
John

[Jackstee]

Hi Sassy
Know you from the HTOWOA site.
Good luck cant give you any advice but I will be doing the Mallorca to Fetiye run later on in the year. About 1500 miles I think but now way near what your trying.
I think I would folloe Pats rouite, around the Horn. Wife won't let me do that yet, but maybe one day.

Good luck
Steve

[sailmatch]

Thanks for the tip - I have read Pat Patterson's book "In the Wake of Drake" but am not sure about travelling that route on my own. I may have to drum up some crew for some parts of my trip.

I am not going to go this year though - will stay in the Med for the Winter.

I have a question about the HT26 - do you have a problem when you are at anchor with the slapping noise underneath/between the hulls? If you do have you done anything to reduce the noise?

In answer to the query about my homepage - I have my profile up on sailmatch (it puts you in touch with crew and skippers etc.)under the name of Sassy if anyone wants to get in touch with me.

Thanks also for the tips on other peoples websites taking the Panama Canal route - I will check them out.

[klevalt]

Welcome, Girlfriend!! I won't be single-handed, but my only mate will be my 11-y.o. daughter. I will look forward to your posts. Looking forward to learning!
Blessings,
Karole

[sailmatch]

Originally Posted by klevalt

Welcome, Girlfriend!! I won't be single-handed, but my only mate will be my 11-y.o. daughter. I will look forward to your posts. Looking forward to learning!
Blessings,
Karole

Thanks, if you need any help or need to know anything let me know and I will do what I can to help.

[davidundalicia]

Hi sailmatch, If your ever in Mallorca, drop me a message through this site and I will by you a drink.

If any one else visits this magical island, please contact me.........

regards
David

[sailmatch]

May not go that way to Australia but if I ever do I will meet up for a beer for sure!!

[Stever407]

Hey Sassy just thought I say hi, your name cought my eye, my boat is named Sasi. Oh well silly me. Fair winds on your trip and in life.

[sailmatch]

Thank you - I am always looking for fair winds!

[anglooff]

Welcome Sassy,

Heavenly twins, mainly singlehanded from UK to Australia..... Probably someone has done it before, but I am sure not many.... Metaphorically speaking you are not Testicularlly challenged... and I wish you great adventures and success.

I suppose for both weather and geographically dangerous times/areas you will need some assistance, but if you intend to spend a year in the MED, perhaps you will have the opportunity of meeting others going your way to sail in company or find suitible crew when needed.

Please keep us up to date with your itinery etc and I have a final question... Are you a Brit sailing to Aussie or an Aussie taking a long time to return home.

I hope you accumulate Great many sailing days

Best Regards

Alan