Where to go from here that's the million dollar question?

[Vandeusen]

I recently purchased a 45 ft Bruce Roberts with Chinese junk sales. I am sitting in Lopez Island Washington debating what to do next lol.

I can go north I can go south but I would not go west in a boat that I'm learning but what I do know is I have to leave this Marina on the 24th and as a disabled veteran I don't have no plans I can go anywhere we have our passports we have no criminal records.

I was thinking of going North toward Vancouver working our way to Alaska enjoying the views for the summer and then make that little jump West to Russia and work my way down to Asia to get new Chinese junk sales made.

I can also go south all the way to Nicaragua where I can stop and visit family and I'm not thinking I'm going south just for them so please don't say go visit family just because it's family. It's what makes sense when you're leaving Lopez Island with limited experience on this sailboat that does not have autopilot.

I welcome any replies comments moans grown gripes suggestions recommendations LOL hope something gets started with advice and maybe some Direction

[Tillikum]

Probably you should use this summer to explore the Sound and the Gulf Islands and gain experience in mostly sheltered waters. You don't need to go to Asia to get sails made; they ship. Where you go next depends on your and your partner's health, financial resources, the condition of the boat and your (both of you) skill levels. You had the boat surveyed when you bought it presumably, so that should tell you what else needs doing. No offence, but your post reads as either humorous or unrealistic or both. If you're contemplating ocean passages you presumably have a good skill and experience level already?

[dlj]

Good time of the year to start a nice trip north - slowly...

dj

[senormechanico]

I think I'd like to take up flying, although my experience is as a passenger.

I think I will start learning by taking my first flight solo on a 747.


/sarc

[Vandeusen]

Not on pacific. I am generally a Looper on the East Coast

[Vandeusen]

Trying to gain experience in a 10 ft sailboat does not equate to being in a 44-ft sailboat. 45 ft is what I own and is what I've been sailing daily. Getting lots of experience went through to Gale forced wind storms dealing with around 10 ft Seas with 30 mph winds didn't like that though everyone but myself get sick I don't think I got sick because I was doing steering since we don't have autopilot yet I am still trying to figure out what kind of autopilot to put on this 2002 45 ft Bruce Roberts offshore. Any help in that regards would be great

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by Tillikum

Probably you should use this summer to explore the Sound and the Gulf Islands and gain experience in mostly sheltered waters. You don't need to go to Asia to get sails made; they ship. Where you go next depends on your and your partner's health, financial resources, the condition of the boat and your (both of you) skill levels. You had the boat surveyed when you bought it presumably, so that should tell you what else needs doing. No offence, but your post reads as either humorous or unrealistic or both. If you're contemplating ocean passages you presumably have a good skill and experience level already?

+2

If you are that new, then don't immediately go to remote areas where you're more self-reliant. Sail local and 'learn the ropes'.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Vandeusen

Trying to gain experience in a 10 ft sailboat does not equate to being in a 44-ft sailboat. 45 ft is what I own and is what I've been sailing daily. Getting lots of experience went through to Gale forced wind storms dealing with around 10 ft Seas with 30 mph winds didn't like that though everyone but myself get sick I don't think I got sick because I was doing steering since we don't have autopilot yet I am still trying to figure out what kind of autopilot to put on this 2002 45 ft Bruce Roberts offshore. Any help in that regards would be great

Actually, it does.

If you can keep a 10' sailboat from rolling over or pitchpoling in strong winds, sailing a 40' plus boat is easy.

It's the same reason why airline pilots, fighter pilots, large transport pilots start out flying small Cessna Aircraft.

You miss so much learning about sailing if you start with a large boat because when you make an adjustment of any type the boat takes forever to react to that change so you get no feedback.

On a small boat though, you get immediate feedback and sometimes when you make the wrong adjustment you end up in the water.

That lesson will stick with you.

Even sailing schools start you out on small boats first.

The sailing school here, Sail Time, uses Catalina Capri 22's for their beginner class.

I learned on a Hobie 16 which will definitely put you in the water if you make a mistake. Plus, you are the ballast.

A Hobie 16 can also reach speeds of about 26 knots, and if you pitchpole at that speed, you will remember it. (what you did wrong)

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Shrew

+2

If you are that new, then don't immediately go to remote areas where you're more self-reliant. Sail local and 'learn the ropes'.

Plus 3, the Canadian Gulf Islands are some very nice cruising. However if you already started north or south, you are on the steep part of the learning curve. So maybe tell us where your boat is now, and some of the folks who've experienced the areas can give you some tips.

Since you know some of your crew gets seasick, how are you dealing with that? There is effective preventive medication.

Ann

[Lepke]

My first suggestion is get an autopilot. It will make the trip a lot more enjoyable. And it's like having another person aboard.
Going up the inside passage means planning for some strong currents. At their peak, faster than your boat will go. Make sure you have some form of current data. I've seen currents over 20 knots. Best way is to anchor somewhere out of the current until near slack water.
Crossing the North Pacific in a sailboat is hard for experienced sailors. I use to fish it.

I'm a disabled vet, too. That's why I have a power boat.

[MicHughV]

Once you've experienced your first midnight gale, you'll get some real world experience, after which you are most likely to reconsider your options.

Standing behind a wheel, even with crew, 24/7, gets old real quick.
My guess is that you will also likely consider an autopilot as your first step to further prolonged sailing.

This forum is awash with threads about newbie sailors with grandiose plans and it would behoove you to search some out to get another perspective on things.

Good luck to ya !!

[Fore and Aft]

Vandeusen it sounds like you need to purchase the book "World Cruising Routes" by Jimmy Cornell. He will save you getting roasted online.
I am not sure if you watch the news, but I don't think westerners are very welcome in Russia at the moment.
Cheers

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Vandeusen

Trying to gain experience in a 10 ft sailboat does not equate to being in a 44-ft sailboat. 45 ft is what I own and is what I've been sailing daily. Getting lots of experience went through to Gale forced wind storms dealing with around 10 ft Seas with 30 mph winds didn't like that though everyone but myself get sick I don't think I got sick because I was doing steering since we don't have autopilot yet I am still trying to figure out what kind of autopilot to put on this 2002 45 ft Bruce Roberts offshore. Any help in that regards would be great

This is the type thing you learn sailing small boats without an engine!

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1652446515590991

[Benz]

There isn't time this summer to get all the way to where you can hop over to Russia: it'll be getting chilly in Nome in mid-September, and Nome is a very long way from where you are. If you go to Russia from somewhere further south (Aleutians?), it's not really that little of a "jump," and as has been pointed out, Russia may not be entirely welcoming, which might make your "jump" longer (Japan? S. Korea?).
Take a look at the pilot charts for September/October for that area, and remember that winter comes quickly in higher latitudes.
I'd advise you to stay local until next summer, learn the boat, get self-steering gear, get your sails and rigging perfected, then head south for warm waters and the golden cruising of the Sea of Cortez. Honestly, I don't know why I ever left there--it's lovely cruising.

[barnakiel]

I would not go to Russia. Russians are fine people but their administration is loco. They have a kind of a lottery there and every tenth visitor is labelled a spy and sent to jail.


I would go according to the seasons, I would go South for the winter, North for the summer.


Fair winds,
b.