Hello
So, I'm attempting to get ready to cross the pond and want
advice. My plan at the moment is to leave from
Beaufort, NC, to Lisbon,
Portugal, with stops in
Bermuda and the
Azores. I was planning on leaving the end of April/beginning of May depending on
weather forecasts.
My
boat is a 1977
Cal 2-29. I just replaced the standing
rigging with new wire ropes upgraded from the original size specs and new turnbuckles. We have a registered 406mhz
epirb. No life raft, one
inflatable dinghy. Here are my concerns:
-I have a balanced spade
rudder. I know plenty of these have crossed oceans, I'm just wondering if there's any kind of reinforcement that people have done in the past or considerations to take in.
-On Cal's the
deck stepped
mast is supported by a
compression post that sits on a
steel beam. The
steel beam rusted away (as is typical) and was replaced by a
fiberglass column to the
keel. The
compression post where it meets the sole is showing signs of wear and creaks while hard on the
wind in swells.
-No life raft.
Every cruiser I see in port with ocean experience I ask
advice on this, and most have said the
boat seems capable of the voyage and ready to go. The others suggested a standing
rigging upgrade (which I did, the last rig change was over 10 years ago).
As for me, I have three years of experience sailing in the Atlantic/Caribbean but I've never been in over 13ft seas and a consistent 30kts aside from squalls or at
anchor.
I'm asking for advice, concerns, encouragement, or the usual "don't do it." Thanks!
-steve
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