Transitioning to Ocean Sailing from the Great Lakes

[kaadkins]

I've been a Great Lakes sailor for years, cruising mostly the eastern side of Lake Michigan. I now reside on the East Coast of Southern Florida and hope to soon return to the water. Wondering what new things I might need to be aware of in this new environment?

[Vasco]

Everything rusts!! Welcome.

[slomotion]

Welcome

The water's warmer, the tides are stronger, the Gulf Stream is close by, and you can sail year round. Your Great Lakes experience will serve you well.

[iiii]

As a former Great Lakes sailor, the biggest problem is everything rusts.
If you have much sailing experience on the Lakes you should do just fine here.

[Ex-Calif]

MOB drills involve shark avoidance tactics?

[Chiroeurope]

Thanks for asking the question I have been forgetting to ask. Sailed a good number of years in Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron. Glad to hear that the time and training there will be useful once out on open ocean.

Michael

[Hud3]

Welcome to CF! Your experience in dealing with squalls on the lake will come in handy!

[imagine2frolic]

VASCO,

hahahahahahahahahaha...that's too funny. Remind me not to get into a battle of wits with you!!!!!!

[ess105]

Currents. I've just spent a few weeks with a great Great Lakes sailor. I learned everything I know in regions where currents are strong and variable (in direction) driven by winds and tides. He came from the lakes. Our mental navigation frames of reference appeared quite different. He had to think twice when contemplating the possibility the boat may actually be traveling 10-20 degrees off the line she was pointing.

[pete33458]

Holy smokes! Another sailor in Jupiter FL? I thought I might be the only one...

One thing you'll find is that there's almost nowhere to sail to, unless you want to spend multiple days. From here you can sail from one inlet to the next (20-40 miles on average), or just sail to nowhere out on the open water. The inlets, by the way, are mostly very treacherous, good depth but narrow with lots of current and, frequently, standing waves.

I sail out of Miami for these reasons, the 90 minute drive is worth it since I generally don't daysail. There are many places to sail to in only a few hours from there as well.

Let me know if I can help. pete

[hellosailor]

Sharks, whales, giant krakens, narwhals, sargasso weed, pirates, the Bermuda Triangle, rogue waves...salt water can be a very scary place.

Oh yeah, Vikings too.[g]

[Chief Engineer]

And you won't die of hypothermia...at least not for the first coupla hours

[jzk]

Originally Posted by kaadkins

I've been a Great Lakes sailor for years, cruising mostly the eastern side of Lake Michigan. I now reside on the East Coast of Southern Florida and hope to soon return to the water. Wondering what new things I might need to be aware of in this new environment?

I sailed all my life on Lake Michigan before I moved to Ft. Lauderdale and lived for 4 years. The transition was easy. I love the salt air, and not having the biting flies! Also those little knatt things on Lake Michigan that make green stains were a pleasure to be without.

Just hose down the boat after you use it to get rid of the salt. Also, more frequent bottom cleanings are in order.

Jupiter, FL? We now have our family's sea ray at Jonathan's landing. Jupiter is very nice.