Oceangoing for under $1000

[exitdaemon]

A friend of mine asked me if it would be possible to acquire a boat that could reasonably safely sail across the Pacific (from California to Hawaii, or to the Philippines) for under 1000 dollars. I'm sure there is the occasional amazing deal on such a boat, but that seems too luck based.

My idea is to get an old canoe for cheap (or free), and then build on decking and build flotation into it, so it is reasonably safe from being swamped, and even if it is swamped it would ride high. Then you could build on two outriggers (for relatively little it seems to me, not sure what to use for the crossbeams off the top of my head), add in a leeboard or build in a daggerboard if you want to be fancy. Cut down a small tree for a mast (build the mast step when you add the decking), and find a cheap used sail or just use a tarp sail (and bring extra tarp).

The more I thought about this the more it seems like this could actually work. You'd have good stability with the outriggers, and the canoe would give you decent storage capacity and an easy base to work off of.

Let me know what you guys think, why this is crazy, is there a better way, etc.

[clownfishsydney]

Apart from the obvious craziness of this proposal I presume you mean?

[Jim Cate]

Well, there were couple of chaps, back in the late 60s IIRC, who "sailed" from California to Hawii in an inflatable. They were survival experts, and needed those talents to make it, but make it they did.

So, sure, it is possible that a scheme like you propose could work.

But in my eyes it is incredibly stupid to seriously consider it. It does not take a rocket scientist to understand why I feel that way.

Jim

[ozskipper]

Of course its possible.

Now, I am off to google Darwin Awards.

[Redreuben]

Just google "Captain Bligh"


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[CSY Man]

For crossing oceans with a minimum of safety a vessel should be rock-solid.
Your canoe with mast and outriggers sounds flimsy.

[Pete7]

People row boats not much bigger than dinghies across the pacific each year. Some get into trouble and have to abandon the voyage half way, some make it, bit like Russian Roulette I suppose.

Work out how much water you used today and ask yourself were you are going to put enough for several months on board a boat.

To give you an idea of cheap, have a look at this thread.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...cts-87193.html

Buying a tent and an old landrover then going off grid campin, fishin and shootin would be a lot simplier.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, exitdaemon.

[barnakiel]

This is doable.

But it will take heaps or luck and/or heaps of know-how.

Also, never mix up the purchase price and the price of the ready to go unit. Very often with the less expensive craft one may spend another ... (thousands?) getting all useful stuff, doing mods, repairs, preps, etc.

So in my book this may happen but will (most of the time) not happen.

Even 10k is still the low end "limit" for a most simple, small "safe" and strong craft. IMHO

b.

[Sea Dreaming]

seems too luck based.

Said it yourself..

Luck to find the right canoe
Luck to accomplish the right engineering without prior knowledge
Luck that you miss big storms
Luck that you dont run out of food and water
Luck that you arrive, or arrive WITH your boat

Eh...but thats just me

[TurninTurtle]

Most likely, if you survive that long... would be to pass 100 miles from Hawaii (if that close), never see it and then the remains of the boat might be found drifting halfway to Japan.

There's been no mention of the navigation needed to hit that tiny speck in the middle of the Pacific...

You have no clue of the storage needed for a minimum of 3 weeks food and water (assuming he can maintain 1/3 the speed of a naval battle group which takes a week to go from San Francisco to Hawaii)... and likely to need 3+ months of supplies. You aren't going to find a big enough canoe.

First storm and that canoe will be full of seawater. (if the normal ocean swells don't swamp it first)

[nuvaslacker]

I wouldn't comment on the wisdom or otherwise of your scheme, but there were many tiny, quick and dirty trimarans built back in the day with aluminium (or aluminum) ladders for cross beams.

[Sdwcheney]

Best chance if find a boat for free.
Spend $1000 on food, and a good GPS.

[Jdege]

If we place this idea on a scale of feasibility running from perfectly safe to batshit crazy, this ranks as a bit safer than trying to fly to Hawaii in a lawn chair supported by helium balloons.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

This is doable.

But it will take heaps or luck and/or heaps of know-how.

Also, never mix up the purchase price and the price of the ready to go unit. Very often with the less expensive craft one may spend another ... (thousands?) getting all useful stuff, doing mods, repairs, preps, etc.

So in my book this may happen but will (most of the time) not happen.

Even 10k is still the low end "limit" for a most simple, small "safe" and strong craft. IMHO

b.

I paid $2,000 for my Bristol 27. I have made no structural repairs in 5 years just paint, engines, and solar. It had sat on the hard unattended for 5 years also.

The boat was left near here after a two year cruise to Florida and possibly the Bahamas by the 75 plus year old PO.

It was already loaded with extra equipment for cruising, to include extra anchors, rode and chain, GPS, autopilot, etc and appeared to have been thoroughly gone over before his cruise with new hoses and rigging bits and pieces....

If I had prior monohull experience I could have had it ready for around $3,000 - $4,000 to cruise. I have $8,500 in it due to trying another old diesel that failed, new outboard, new mainsail, (2) inverters

Replacing the rigging, inspecting or replacing the chain plates, drogue, plus a wind vane autopilot would be nice extras