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25-08-2014, 14:00
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2
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Survivability of Novice Sailors
Looking at a couple of 37-38' blue water cruisers in the Boston area. Provided all checks out, I am considering singlehanding the successful candidate down the coast to Florida.
I have sailed smaller vessels but in freshwater only. Very mechanically inclined and able to navigate using maps and compasses, gps ect. (private pilot)
There is no timetable to worry about other than Winter and Hurricane season.
Is this doable or an I still dreaming?
What say you?
Clark
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25-08-2014, 14:07
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#2
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Long Range Cruiser
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Australian living on "Sea Life" currently in England.
Boat: Beneteau 393 "Sea Life"
Posts: 12,822
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Re: Survivability of novice sailors
If you are a pilot you can do it. Sailing is not that difficult.
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25-08-2014, 14:09
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Lake Ont
Posts: 8,547
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Re: Survivability of novice sailors
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cehinds
Looking at a couple of 37-38' blue water cruisers in the Boston area. Provided all checks out, I am considering singlehanding the successful candidate down the coast to Florida.
I have sailed smaller vessels but in freshwater only. Very mechanically inclined and able to navigate using maps and compasses, gps ect. (private pilot)
There is no timetable to worry about other than Winter and Hurricane season.
Is this doable or an I still dreaming?
What say you?
Clark
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Why singlehand right off the bat, especially with a new-to-you boat? Surely you can find a few friends and other sailors who'd be happy to come along for all or part of the trip south?
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25-08-2014, 14:20
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Hingham, MA
Boat: Catalina 310
Posts: 637
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Re: Survivability of novice sailors
Are you talking about doing the ICW or off shore? Pros and cons to both.
A lot of the answer will depend on the individual boats. Some are far more manageable for one person. So boat choice may be a factor. Or at least what effort you are going to put into to making the boat easy for one person to sail.
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25-08-2014, 15:40
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#5
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֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 15,136
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Re: Survivability of novice sailors
Yes, you can do it. But since you've missed the older threads here and elsewhere discussing the issue, you probably shouldn't. Buy the boat, hire a delivery skipper & crew, figure it may take a week or two to shake down the boat and make whatever repairs it needs or upgrade any equipment, and sail home with the experienced delivery crew in charge of your boat.
Or, start your studying up, plan on a day trip followed by a 48-hour trip as shakedowns. A week for corrections (optimistically) and then taking your trip.
Also, look into large quantities of amphetamines to keep you up, because there are no overnight truckstops to park in offshore, and sleeping while solo at sea is a whole other topic.
I think the last (ex) forum member who wanted to do something like this, had experience and faith with his boat, had two family along as crew, and was going to "rally" down in five days with two other experienced boats. He wound up mainly going down the ICW and taking six weeks or so, I think. But he did get there, and had fun along the way.
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25-08-2014, 16:30
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between the devil and the deep blue sea
Boat: a sailing boat
Posts: 20,420
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Re: Survivability of Novice Sailors
Plan out your stops, keep eye on the wx, and you will be fine.
Have fun,
Fair winds,
b.
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25-08-2014, 19:27
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#7
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Coos Bay, Oregon
Boat: Valiant 40 (1975)
Posts: 4,073
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Re: Survivability of Novice Sailors
Soloing is an extreme sport. If you make a big error, you can die. Since newbs often make big errors, well.... You're a pilot. Would you recommend someone by a Cessna, jump in and take off for Europe?
Sure people have done it.
I wouldn't.
Your call.
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25-08-2014, 20:31
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Cruising
Boat: Privilege 39 Catamaran, Exit Only
Posts: 2,723
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Re: Survivability of Novice Sailors
If this was my first trip on a boat that was new to me, I would be doing the intracoastal waterway the majority of the trip. This is a shakedown as well as a delivery, and you will find plenty of things that need to be fixed, changed, modified along the way. I would rather find out the problems on the intracoastal than out at sea.
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25-08-2014, 22:02
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#9
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Ohio
Boat: Now boatless :-(
Posts: 11,580
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Re: Survivability of Novice Sailors
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cehinds
Looking at a couple of 37-38' blue water cruisers in the Boston area. Provided all checks out, I am considering singlehanding the successful candidate down the coast to Florida.
I have sailed smaller vessels but in freshwater only. Very mechanically inclined and able to navigate using maps and compasses, gps ect. (private pilot)
There is no timetable to worry about other than Winter and Hurricane season.
Is this doable or an I still dreaming?
What say you?
Clark
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As a pilot I am sure you've heard, "If you've time to spare, go by air."
You know how to navigate and you've sailed smaller boats before. This will not a be a problem except for -
- It is going to take more time than you think. Leave room in your schedule or figure out where you can bail out of the trip and leave the boat if you have commitments to meet
- Stuff is gonna break on a new (to you) boat. That is gonna drive the time up as well. The most important thing is make sure you can keep the water on the outside part of the boat. A sound engine and drive-train would also be very useful - I am sure you are getting a survey, yes?
Plan on motoring a lot. Especially if on a schedule.
Bring your credit cards and have fun!
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26-08-2014, 03:53
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#10
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W
Boat: (Cruiser Living On Dirt)
Posts: 49,139
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Re: Survivability of Novice Sailors
Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Clark.
__________________
Gord May
"If you didn't have the time or money to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"
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26-08-2014, 04:49
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#11
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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Re: Survivability of Novice Sailors
If your comfortable with docking it yourself, anchoring etc., Then I don't see why you couldn't go down the ICW by yourself, but I think it would be a lot more relaxing and fun with company.
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27-08-2014, 11:32
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2
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Re: Survivability of Novice Sailors
Thanks for the feedback everyone! I fly gliders/sailplanes as well so I am familiar with critical decision making processes.
Surveys yes.
Inside travel yes.
Outside where necessary.
Weather, weather, weather! That is what it's about anyway.
No schedule or commitments, just unadulterated adventure.
I will keep you posted.
Thank you again.
Clark
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27-08-2014, 11:45
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: where pelicans fly
Boat: IP32 ~Whimsy~
Posts: 249
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Re: Survivability of Novice Sailors
Clark, do you have time to take someone out with you for a day or two while you single hand your boat? They can just ride along and watch, but not say anything. Then if you have any questions, they can offer advice. I'd venture that docking will be your biggest challenge.
Have fun and the very best to you.
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27-08-2014, 13:24
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#14
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֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 15,136
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Re: Survivability of Novice Sailors
Clark-
Did you ever see the episode of MASH where Frank Burns is under house arrest (in the tent) and Hawkeye is dancing in and out of the front door taunting him repeatedly "I can go in. And I can go out. I can go in. And I can go out." ?
"Inside travel yes.
Outside where necessary. "
Just bear in mind, getting through any of the inlets may be impossible for 24 hours or longer, and if you are outside, you may have to stay outside and well offshore. You can call the USCG and ask about conditions in the inlets--but even they often cannot give you any information, as their boats may be occupied elsewhere for hours at a stretch.
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28-08-2014, 13:10
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay Area
Boat: Bristol 27
Posts: 10,460
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Re: Survivability of Novice Sailors
Quote:
Originally Posted by hellosailor
Clark-
Did you ever see the episode of MASH where Frank Burns is under house arrest (in the tent) and Hawkeye is dancing in and out of the front door taunting him repeatedly "I can go in. And I can go out. I can go in. And I can go out." ?
"Inside travel yes.
Outside where necessary. "
Just bear in mind, getting through any of the inlets may be impossible for 24 hours or longer, and if you are outside, you may have to stay outside and well offshore. You can call the USCG and ask about conditions in the inlets--but even they often cannot give you any information, as their boats may be occupied elsewhere for hours at a stretch.
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Good advice.
I've sailed by lots of monohull sailboats sitting dead still trying to exit or enter thru an inlet (or pass) with motor pushed as hard it would go and they are just sitting still and that was in good weather. I couldn't image it in bad weather. The current and weather would just do what it wanted with the average (monohull) sailboat in bad weather.
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