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michaelzargona · 06-06-2022, 18:31

Hello all! First post. I'm not a sailor, I'm a writer and am looking for some help.

I've published two books and am working on the third. As part of the story, the main group of 8 adults and 3 children must journey from the Puget Sound, WA area up through the Inside Passage, across the Bering Sea (avoiding Anchorage area), along the Aleutians, and then finally stop near Vladivostok, Russia.

Some background: it's a dystopian / apocalyptic story, more 1984 than Road Warrior but some of both. No fuel...which means wind power. No one is chasing them, so the dangers will be natural. And, given that route, there should be plenty. I haven't had much luck finding people who deep sea sail up there.

I've done a little bit of research. At this point I've settled on a Skookum 53 as it's a) a pretty believable boat to have in Washington State and b) it seems too small for such a big group but not impossibly so. Obviously a huge ship that does everything comfortably is not great for dramatic fiction, and a bathtub with a handkerchief on a stick for a sail isn't realistic. I do know the Skookum 53 is a motor sail and has a number of systems dependent on generator-run electrical power, so finding workarounds is both mine and the characters' job. I like how all of these boats have been customized over the years and all seem to have a unique flair.

You've made it this far. What I'm looking for from the sailing experts:

Tell me I've either made a good choice in the Skookum 53 (and why), or a terrible one (and, yes, why and what do you recommend).
What are some things that can go really wrong with a boat like this, and also with the route? I'm pretty familiar with the tides around the San Juans (I live in WA), but everything north of there is unknown to me.
Do you have any interest in looking at the rough draft portions related to the trip? These are big books so this is only a relatively small part of the overall story, but I don't want to gloss it over.

- M.Z.

Jamme · 06-06-2022, 18:45

Welcome. Interesting post! No experience with the area or the vessel, but interested in reading from people who cruised there or know about the Skookum 53 (seems like an old research vessel). Good luck with the book.

jordanbigel · 06-06-2022, 19:04

From what I see of the Skookum 53 when I google it (here: https://www.boats.com/sailing-boats/...um-53-8050179/), I don't think its a good choice because it's not a "sailboat" so it would not be able to cross oceans without fuel. It is not a motorsailer either, it may have a small auxiliary sail, but it would not be realistic to have a boat like this in a story involving sailing thousands of miles on wind power.

This might be a better choice: https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/199...nd-52-7104559/

garyfdl · 14-06-2022, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordanbigel

From what I see of the Skookum 53 when I google it (here: https://www.boats.com/sailing-boats/...um-53-8050179/), I don't think its a good choice because it's not a "sailboat" so it would not be able to cross oceans without fuel. It is not a motorsailer either, it may have a small auxiliary sail, but it would not be realistic to have a boat like this in a story involving sailing thousands of miles on wind power.

This might be a better choice: https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/199...nd-52-7104559/

This one is a sailboat...

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/198...um-53-8342950/

Looks like it would 'fit the bill' perfectly.

To the OP best of luck! Concept sounds good. Could make a good movie, or better yet a series!

As to not being able to use the wind in the NW passage: maybe they run out of fuel after they get through?

SeanPatrick · 14-06-2022, 18:40

If you decide to include any celestial navigation, I can probably help with that. I'm certain I could answer any technical questions you might have. Even if it is super-basic emergency style (e.g. estimating one's latitude with an improvised tool).

Rohan · 06-06-2022, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelzargona

Tell me I've either made a good choice in the Skookum 53 (and why), or a terrible one (and, yes, why and what do you recommend).
What are some things that can go really wrong with a boat like this, and also with the route? I'm pretty familiar with the tides around the San Juans (I live in WA), but everything north of there is unknown to me.
Do you have any interest in looking at the rough draft portions related to the trip? These are big books so this is only a relatively small part of the overall story, but I don't want to gloss it over.

Your Skookum 53 is what they call a motorsailer, primarily a powerboat but has auxiliary sails. It would definitely not be the ideal choice for 11 people sailing a great distance. HOWEVER - in a post apocalyptic scenario I can easily imagine that all the ideal sailboats are taken or destroyed, and this is the best available. Assuming they have no fuel, they could remove the diesel engines - that would reduce the weight, and free up storage space, make sailing a little more feasible.

Another option is that more and more boats are converting to electric power, which runs on batteries that can be recharged from time to time with solar power. Especially if the story is a few years in the future, sailing in this boat with an electric motor to give it a boost is a possibility.

8 adults and 3 kids would be a little cramped, but its doable, and again, post apocalypse beggars cant be choosers. Most likely, they would convert the salon table into an extra bed.

Everything can go wrong with any boat, not just this boat. Most common show stopping problem among extended voyages is rudder failure. If the rudder falls off, or is stuck, they need a way to steer. If they don't have an emergency rudder they would have to improvise one, and that's not easy. Other possible problems include losing sails or mast due to storm winds and not taking down sails in time, colliding with a floating shipping container breaching the hull and letting water in, sea sickness among passengers, not enough fresh water on board, or a fire on board.

But anyway, remember to use nautical terms, not land based terms:

Not "bathroom", but "head"
Not "bedroom", but "cabin"
Not "kitchen", but "galley"

Tetepare · 06-06-2022, 19:35

As a non-fiction writer, I’m envious.

Just write stuff and make it up. Nobody is going to expect correct details or research them, so simply entertain.

ms.lau · 14-06-2022, 05:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tetepare

As a non-fiction writer, I’m envious.

Just write stuff and make it up. Nobody is going to expect correct details or research them, so simply entertain.

I think Tetepare is oh so wrong about this 🙂

Tetepare · 14-06-2022, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by ms.lau

I think Tetepare is oh so wrong about this 🙂

Well if you find a fiction book that’s not loaded with errors let me know. Clancy gets close, cussler is an embarrassment. Patterson not particularly good, keeps vague to avoid error. That’s why I read non fiction, which is typically well researched.

Non fiction readers are looking for facts and data- education and entertainment. Fiction readers run the gamut from…well never mind, but they read for entertainment. Then there’s the series TV watchers.

I’m myself not a fan of writers who don’t know the subject. But clearly most don’t notice, or care.

As far as a post apocalyptic novel, One Second After is pretty good, because it’s sort of accurate and detailed. I think there are few who’d have the stomach to read an extremely accurate post apocalypse account.

AKA-None · 14-06-2022, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Well if you find a fiction book that’s not loaded with errors let me know. Clancy gets close, cussler is an embarrassment. Patterson not particularly good, keeps vague to avoid error. That’s why I read non fiction, which is typically well researched.

Non fiction readers are looking for facts and data- education and entertainment. Fiction readers run the gamut from…well never mind, but they read for entertainment. Then there’s the series TV watchers.

I’m myself not a fan of writers who don’t know the subject. But clearly most don’t notice, or care.

As far as a post apocalyptic novel, One Second After is pretty good, because it’s sort of accurate and detailed. I think there are few who’d have the stomach to read an extremely accurate post apocalypse account.

Problems with Issac Asimov?

Or maybe Cory Doctorow?

garyfdl · 14-06-2022, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Well if you find a fiction book that’s not loaded with errors let me know. Clancy gets close

I'll say! In 'Red October' he put forth info that I, as an ex-submariner, was told I would be jailed for divulging - just 7 years earlier.

Calif.Ted · 06-06-2022, 20:19

Couple years ago Discovery Channel did a series about a group sailing from Polynesia to and thru the northwest passage in a Ferrocement boat. Each episode starts "23 boats attempt the NW passage, 21 turn back, 1 sinks and one makes it". You keep thinking "this must be the one that sank" but no, they made it. Boat and crew seemed incapable of making this voyage, but they did. Can I suggest it as excellent research material for your book.
https://www.discovery.com/shows/expe...on-to-the-edge

michaelzargona · 06-06-2022, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calif.Ted

Couple years ago Discovery Channel did a series about a group sailing from Polynesia to and thru the northwest passage in a Ferrocement boat. Each episode starts "23 boats attempt the NW passage, 21 turn back, 1 sinks and one makes it". You keep thinking "this must be the one that sank" but no, they made it. Boat and crew seemed incapable of making this voyage, but they did. Can I suggest it as excellent research material for your book.
https://www.discovery.com/shows/expe...on-to-the-edge

I did run across this one during my research. That ferrocement technique is pretty old-school and interesting. But the boats I found made with it seem to be very unique handmade jobs. Not saying that's a deal breaker, but they're TOO quirky for what I'm trying to do. With a set model, readers could plug it into their phone or PC and get an idea of what it is. Plus, the boat should be pretty plausible --- it's the crew that lacks experience and really shouldn't make it. I.e. not boat vs. nature, but man vs. nature.

As for the "not a sailboat" comment, I am partially basing the boat on this one: https://www.53skookummarine.com/

Which seems to be a "real" sailboat to me.

jordanbigel · 07-06-2022, 06:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelzargona

I did run across this one during my research. That ferrocement technique is pretty old-school and interesting. But the boats I found made with it seem to be very unique handmade jobs. Not saying that's a deal breaker, but they're TOO quirky for what I'm trying to do. With a set model, readers could plug it into their phone or PC and get an idea of what it is. Plus, the boat should be pretty plausible --- it's the crew that lacks experience and really shouldn't make it. I.e. not boat vs. nature, but man vs. nature.

As for the "not a sailboat" comment, I am partially basing the boat on this one: https://www.53skookummarine.com/

Which seems to be a "real" sailboat to me.

Definitely that is a sailboat. Not sure how both these boats - the one you linked and the one I found in google could be the same boat.