How Many Have Sailed Offshore

[SimonV]

I have exceeded 200nm a few times. But the gist of the OPs is who are the ones making the most noise baging those that get out there and sail for travel. What i do know is look at the profile posted by the critics......guess what most have little if any information listed. No boat type. No experience . No idea. You can quote from books all you like using and quoting picked ideas that some well know respected sailor then using one persons experience (not you own) as ammunition to put down some very experienced and great people that deserve better than your misplaced pernicious comments.

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[weavis]

Originally Posted by SimonV

I have exceeded 200nm a few times. But the gist of the OPs is who are the ones making the most noise baging those that get out there and sail for travel. What i do know is look at the profile posted by the critics......guess what most have little if any information listed. No boat type. No experience . No idea. You can quote from books all you like using and quoting picked ideas that some well know respected sailor then using one persons experience (not you own) as ammunition to put down some very experienced and great people that deserve better than your misplaced pernicious comments.

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HI Simon
I know I can be a bit thick, so I read your post a couple of times.
Sadly I still dont understand the thrust of your comment or observation.
Would you mind explaining it to me?
Gary.

[captainbri]

Originally Posted by Capt Doug

Lots of good stuff here, do not underestimate the great lakes sailors, If any of you are old(er) like me you may remember Ted Turner coming to Lake Michigan to compete in the Mac Race, His comment that he was going to show the lake sailors how the Big boys do it, He got his Arse handed to him tore up thousands of dollars in sails and did miserable. WE LAUGHED.
I have raced in the St Petersburg to Isla Mujeres 6 or 7 times, the little pond Gulf of Mexico, has beat up many boats during that race. When you are in a restricted body of water, the wave conditions can put you and the boat to THE test. The ocean can be and often is easier to deal with. Any sailing experience is good experience, no matter bad the experience may be at the time.. SAIL ON

Lake michigan is very dangerous. Storms come from nowhere. Turning thw clock back 35 years. During the MAC race a storm came from nowhere 2 mac racing boats ended up sinking and the coastguard was overloaded with rescues. We ended up 100nm off course some damage to the boat. I remember sitting down then felt the boat start to roll I looked to my right and all I saw was water. Captain dad saved it 14 hours of fun. Ive been up and down the Mississippi, the ICW all of the great lakes, canada to the bahamas the gulf of mexico panama to Hawaii then California and back up to lake michigan. Been in plenty of bad storms that one was memorable because the waves were 18+ ft and close together not more than 3 seconds before dropping down the back side to heading up the face of the next wave.

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[s/v Beth]

Originally Posted by captainbri

Lake michigan is very dangerous. Storms come from nowhere. Turning thw clock back 35 years. During the MAC race a storm came from nowhere 2 mac racing boats ended up sinking and the coastguard was overloaded with rescues. We ended up 100nm off course some damage to the boat. I remember sitting down then felt the boat start to roll I looked to my right and all I saw was water. Captain dad saved it 14 hours of fun. Ive been up and down the Mississippi, the ICW all of the great lakes, canada to the bahamas the gulf of mexico panama to Hawaii then California and back up to lake michigan. Been in plenty of bad storms that one was memorable because the waves were 18+ ft and close together not more than 3 seconds before dropping down the back side to heading up the face of the next wave.

But Captain,
You were not 200 miles off shore! The weather couldn't have been that bad! The worst confused seas, large waves and gale I have ever encountered were just off Cape Flattery- within sight of a bare rock shoreline....
So see OP, the best sailors are tested close to shore, ask anyone who has sailed around England. But I agree that miles on passage seem to show experienced sailors.

[weavis]

This area below in North West England will make a sailor of you. Intensely tidal. Ive sailed in 40 foot of water and then watched all the water disappear from underneath me in 30 seconds and Ive hit the bottom! It warrants reading the charts carefully.
Anyone who can master the Bay is a sailor.......

[TeddyDiver]

Errr... If you wan't to brag with storms and maelstroms instead why not to start new thread on that subject
I stay away from there becouse the worst weather I've been was hardly f10 with 30' waves, kind of gale but loooong waves. :P

[weavis]

Originally Posted by TeddyDiver

Errr... If you wan't to brag with storms and maelstroms instead why not to start new thread on that subject
I stay away from there becouse the worst weather I've been was hardly f10 with 30' waves, kind of gale but loooong waves. :P

brag?
I never said I mastered it. I pointed out the veracity of newts post. Sheesh!

[s/v Beth]

Thanks Weavis- the point is, which any sailor would know in a second, is that we don't fear the water (I respect the water!!), we fear the land-water interface. Quickly changing conditions occur in bays and around points. I will make sure and avoid that bay when I come over the puddle.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

Thanks Weavis- the point is, which any sailor would know in a second, is that we don't fear the water (I respect the water!!), we fear the land-water interface. Quickly changing conditions occur in bays and around points. I will make sure and avoid that bay when I come over the puddle.

s'alright Mr newt.
The grey bits on the edge, is how far the tide ranges and built up mud....... and in storms you can lose the middle... I was careful to sail up the bay ONLY with locals who knew it well in all its moods...... I slammed a yacht and a power boat there..... when it changed from nice to nasty in 15 minutes. IT can be gentle as anything ..... and then not.

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by weavis

s'alright Mr newt.
The grey bits on the edge, is how far the tide ranges and built up mud....... and in storms you can lose the middle... I was careful to sail up the bay ONLY with locals who knew it well in all its moods...... I slammed a yacht and a power boat there..... when it changed from nice to nasty in 15 minutes. IT can be gentle as anything ..... and then not.

Nice avatar. How did you get your head through the cloth? Must have been rough that day.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by LakeSuperior

Nice avatar. How did you get your head through the cloth? Must have been rough that day.

Rough everyday in my job

[reefhunter]

Originally Posted by LakeSuperior

Are you cruising or working?? Professionals have a somewhat unfair advantage here on CruisersForum. It is like you and I comparing the number of heat transfer problems we have each solved.

Working right now. Have two drill rigs in tow to Africa. Be there in 18 days.
Used to work in the GL with my brothers on fish tugs. Miss the sweet water and my Frers.

[reefhunter]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

But Captain,
You were not 200 miles off shore! The weather couldn't have been that bad!

You wanna bet? I've seen what Lake Superior can do to large ships - remember the Fitz! Lake Michigan can be worse at times. There are plenty of large schooners sitting on the bottom. I never underestimated the power of the GL - esp in Nov and May!

[reefhunter]

Originally Posted by Blue Crab

Do tacks on deck really repel the natives?

Tacks and what natives? I'm a native - Anishinabe/Inuit/Cree - depending on which family member you ask. With our ship - M1 Garands and M14's rule, 10ga shotguns to repel boarders.

[Blue Crab]

Originally Posted by reefhunter

Tacks and what natives? I'm a native - Anishinabe/Inuit/Cree - depending on which family member you ask. With our ship - M1 Garands and M14's rule, 10ga shotguns to repel boarders.

.357 here loaded with snakeshot fer pythons. Dang! I love gun gab. Maybe there's hope fer this thread yet.