Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 03-10-2022, 19:13   #1
Registered User
 
AuChante's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: NW FL
Boat: 1984 Hunter 31
Posts: 102
First Big Sailboat

Hello all!
I have quite a bit of experience on a Hobie 16 and being a crew member on a (fun) racing team at the local yacht club.

Now I'm in the process of buying my first boat. I'm fairly certain that the survey won't reveal anything that'll steer me away as it is a heckova deal... A marina foreclosure. It's a 1989 Hunter 31 in immaculate condition once it gets a bottom job. My wife and I will have a solid 12hr sail to get it home this or next weekend which is quite an introduction for our first yacht-sized boat. Looking forward to some much need guidance from yall.
AuChante is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2022, 20:04   #2
Moderator
 
Jim Cate's Avatar

Join Date: May 2008
Location: cruising SW Pacific
Boat: Jon Sayer 1-off 46 ft fract rig sloop strip plank in W Red Cedar
Posts: 21,559
Re: First Big Sailboat

Welcome aboard CF, AF! And we're here to help you when you have questions. You can help us do so better by filling out all the stuff in the personal profile bit in your CP.

Hope your homeward bound voyage goes well... you will never forget it!

Jim
__________________
Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II, lying Port Cygnet Tasmania once again.
Jim Cate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2022, 20:11   #3
Registered User
 
chrisr's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Somewhere in French Polynesia
Boat: Dean 440 13.4m catamaran
Posts: 2,333
Re: First Big Sailboat

yes, welcome to the asylum

hope that you can persuade one of your more experienced mates from your (fun) racing team to come along with you ?

and don't forget to check the weather carefully before heading off - and postpone if the weather isn't right

cheers,
__________________
"home is where the anchor drops"...living onboard in French Polynesia...maintaining social distancing
chrisr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2022, 20:49   #4
Registered User
 
Mickeyrouse's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Texas
Boat: Hinckley Bermuda 40
Posts: 891
Images: 5
Re: First Big Sailboat

Since EVERYTHING is new to you, I’d really encourage a couple short trips just outside the marina. No doubt you’ve been introduced to most if not all the systems, but being shown something at the dock is not the same as putting it to use. Every boat, new or used, seems to have its own set of quirks. Get a feel for the engine, electronics-especially VHF and any nav systems- turn the pumps on, etc. Even though such items will have likely have passed survey, the worst moment to learn how to use something or turn it on is when you really need it. As a cat sailor, the rig and sails should be duck soup. Good luck- let us know how it works out.
__________________
Why won’t the money go as far as the boat will?
Mickeyrouse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2022, 08:54   #5
Registered User
 
AuChante's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: NW FL
Boat: 1984 Hunter 31
Posts: 102
Re: First Big Sailboat

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mickeyrouse View Post
Since EVERYTHING is new to you, I’d really encourage a couple short trips just outside the marina. No doubt you’ve been introduced to most if not all the systems, but being shown something at the dock is not the same as putting it to use. Every boat, new or used, seems to have its own set of quirks. Get a feel for the engine, electronics-especially VHF and any nav systems- turn the pumps on, etc. Even though such items will have likely have passed survey, the worst moment to learn how to use something or turn it on is when you really need it. As a cat sailor, the rig and sails should be duck soup. Good luck- let us know how it works out.
It was 13 hr dock to dock, 1.5 hr of which was finding a new marina as we got grounded going into the the one I already lined up. We did a couple hr of sailing around the day before and I only relied on the boat to float and sail. Brought along a handheld VHF, standalone bilge pump, backup manual bilge pump, flares, lights, etc.


Coming from a Hobie, it sure was nerve-racking the first couple times the edge rail dipped into the water during a gust. Doubly nerve-racking when the VHF antenna was pinging off the bridge when leaving the bay... 47'3" going under a 48'6" bridge (low tide). Wouldn't have tried it unless I'd done it before in my buddy's 47'8" boat.
AuChante is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2022, 11:07   #6
Registered User
 
chrisr's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Somewhere in French Polynesia
Boat: Dean 440 13.4m catamaran
Posts: 2,333
Re: First Big Sailboat

well done ! keep using the boat and stretching your comfort zone...build your experience

i know what you mean about airdraft...i refused to go under some low power lines even after watching a friend with same mast height go under

cheers,
__________________
"home is where the anchor drops"...living onboard in French Polynesia...maintaining social distancing
chrisr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2022, 11:25   #7
Registered User
 
Cheechako's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,763
Re: First Big Sailboat

A maiden voyage of 12 hours needs some forethought. You don't know your boat.

-Have some charts of the area, things get confusing from the sea viewpoint.

-Just make sure you have spare fuel filters, know how to change them and have tools.
-Run the boat long and hard prior to leaving, watching for over heating.
-Have a spare water pump impellor for the engine.
-If crossing shallow areas make sure the depth sounder is working.
-DO NOT rely on the fuel gage. Confirm your fuel level.
- Know how to reef the mainsail and have it rigged.
-Be conservative in you speed estimate. Figure maybe 4 knots for your boat size.
-If you need to be on schedule and have to sail and tack, your actual average speed may be very low. A 12 hour trip puts you in the dark at least one end of the trip this time of year.
Have fun!
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard











Cheechako is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2022, 11:47   #8
Registered User
 
AuChante's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: NW FL
Boat: 1984 Hunter 31
Posts: 102
Re: First Big Sailboat

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheechako View Post
A maiden voyage of 12 hours needs some forethought. You don't know your boat.

-Have some charts of the area, things get confusing from the sea viewpoint.

-Just make sure you have spare fuel filters, know how to change them and have tools.
-Run the boat long and hard prior to leaving, watching for over heating.
-Have a spare water pump impellor for the engine.
-If crossing shallow areas make sure the depth sounder is working.
-DO NOT rely on the fuel gage. Confirm your fuel level.
- Know how to reef the mainsail and have it rigged.
-Be conservative in you speed estimate. Figure maybe 4 knots for your boat size.
-If you need to be on schedule and have to sail and tack, your actual average speed may be very low. A 12 hour trip puts you in the dark at least one end of the trip this time of year.
Have fun!
The engine is a big unknown for me. I know a good bit about my old 12v Cummins, but not sure how everything translates to the Yanmar. It can’t be too different… it’s just a mechanical diesel. Are there any good resources/manuals around for a 98 Yanmar?

For this trip, I cheated and had friends in the departing and destination cities on call to come get us.
AuChante is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2022, 11:59   #9
Registered User
 
Cheechako's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,763
Re: First Big Sailboat

your trip's done! Missed that.

It's probably a 2GM Yanmar. Pretty common so you should be able to find much info on it.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard











Cheechako is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2022, 12:10   #10
Registered User

Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Fiji Airways/ Lake Ontario
Boat: Legend 37.5, 1968 Alcort Sunfish, Avon 310
Posts: 2,750
Images: 11
Re: First Big Sailboat

When we moved from the 16' catamaran to a 30' monohull I noticed two things: first, I wasn't cold and wet; second, the 30' had a whole bunch of stuff to maintain.

Find, print, and put in a 3 ring binder:
Owner's manual for boat
Repair manual for engine
Manuals for every pedestal, pump, heater, and electronic device.

Make a few copies of the systems diagrams (usually in Owner's Manual): water system, electrical system, sanitation system, etc. The extra copies are for you to mark up and take with you when shopping, re-designing, updating, etc.

Beware that the replacement costs of stuff (like sails) are a magnitude more than the catamaran. Treat them gently.
__________________
There are too many gaviiformes here!
Tetepare is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2022, 14:46   #11
Moderator
 
JPA Cate's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: aboard, in Tasmania, Australia
Boat: Sayer 46' Solent rig sloop
Posts: 29,958
Re: First Big Sailboat

Tetepare mentioned treating the sails carefully. For us, this meant getting back to the marina in time to hose down the headsails with fresh water, and hang them to dry before storing. (Tie the tack and the clew together, you don't want the wind taking them.) The salt crystals left behind when salt water evaporates have sharp edges and cause dacron to wear more quickly. Let them dry before "bricking" in their sail bags.

Agree with Tetepare, too about the giant 3 ring binder: It is really useful to have all that in one place, easily accessible, and independent of electricity.

Enjoy your new boat.

Ann
__________________
Who scorns the calm has forgotten the storm.
JPA Cate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2022, 15:04   #12
Registered User
 
AuChante's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: NW FL
Boat: 1984 Hunter 31
Posts: 102
Re: First Big Sailboat

Quote:
Originally Posted by JPA Cate View Post
Tetepare mentioned treating the sails carefully. For us, this meant getting back to the marina in time to hose down the headsails with fresh water, and hang them to dry before storing. (Tie the tack and the clew together, you don't want the wind taking them.) The salt crystals left behind when salt water evaporates have sharp edges and cause dacron to wear more quickly. Let them dry before "bricking" in their sail bags.

Agree with Tetepare, too about the giant 3 ring binder: It is really useful to have all that in one place, easily accessible, and independent of electricity.

Enjoy your new boat.

Ann
My Hobie had dacron sails that got completely submerged on a regular basis. I never thought anything of it. I think I rinsed them twice over 10 years. Of course a replacement set could be had for a couple hundred on short notice. heck I had two extra sets in nice condition that I'd acquired from folks just trying to clear out their garage. I imagine it's different for a full size boat.
AuChante is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2022, 06:52   #13
Registered User
 
Mickeyrouse's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Texas
Boat: Hinckley Bermuda 40
Posts: 891
Images: 5
Re: First Big Sailboat

Quote:
Originally Posted by AuChante View Post
It was 13 hr dock to dock, 1.5 hr of which was finding a new marina as we got grounded going into the the one I already lined up.
Glad it worked out so well. Re grounding: if you haven’t grounded, you haven’t sailed.
I see you’re in NW Florida. We sailed the Panhandle, Perdido Key to Carabelle this past spring. Seems like it’s more developed every time we come through, but we still enjoy it immensely.
__________________
Why won’t the money go as far as the boat will?
Mickeyrouse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-10-2022, 20:11   #14
Moderator
 
Adelie's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: La Ciudad de la Misión Didacus de Alcalá en Alta California, Virreinato de Nueva España
Boat: Cal 20
Posts: 21,614
Re: First Big Sailboat

Welcome to CF.
__________________
Num Me Vexo?
For all of your celestial navigation questions: https://navlist.net/
A house is but a boat so poorly built and so firmly run aground no one would think to try and refloat it.
Adelie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-10-2022, 11:48   #15
Registered User

Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Steinhatchee, FL
Posts: 402
Re: First Big Sailboat

Welcome. Glad you made it back safely and found an appropriate marina.
Be Free is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
boat, sail, sailboat

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Beneteau First 305 for life on the hook? First first. Atcowboy Liveaboard's Forum 10 28-01-2020 14:16
How big is too big for a first boat novice sailor? And my little dreams justshane Monohull Sailboats 68 19-08-2017 08:59
First boat, first post, first adventure. northoceanbeach Pacific & South China Sea 5 28-05-2013 19:05
How big is too big? Capnlindy General Sailing Forum 98 04-06-2007 08:14
my big, big, plan faithful Meets & Greets 1 17-10-2004 15:28

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:22.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.