First Time in Ocean

[arw-16]

We had a great 12 mile sail around Wrightsville Beach, NC last weekend in my CP16.  As a beginning sailor, sailing in the ocean for the first time was something I had been wanting to do and it felt great to accomplish that goal.  We went out from the Mason Inlet which is not maintained or marked.  We slowly made our way through the shallows and then getting over the big breakers was a real trill.  A couple of big waves hit our bow and the little boat came down so hard on the back side of the wave that the up-wash at the stern lifted the motor out of the water.  There were a tense few moments as even bigger waves kept coming and the motor had been lifted with such force that the bracket was jammed in the up position.  Has anyone had this problem and/or are there any suggestions on how to prevent it.  I was concerned that we would loose our forward momentum and rudder control in the breakers, but after some prayerful beating and banging, I got the motor back into the water and we cleared the breakers safely with the taste of salt spay on our lips.  There were only a few white caps so winds were good but not that strong. We labored around 2.5 knots in chop on a tight reach for about 4 miles until we got down to the Mansboro Inlet which is very well maintained.  We sailed in and had a great final leg in the bays on the back side of the island.  We did hit 5 knots once in the bay which I was pretty happy with under the conditions.  All in all a great day.  I can't wait to go again.

[Paul]

Fantastic!  Congratulations on the adventure.  So, glad you made it through the breakers.  How'd Wrightsville Beach look from the Big Blue?  How far from Johnny Mercer's Pier did you sail?  Any photos?  How did the tide affect your sailing in  the inlets?

I have read of a sailor from the Raleigh area, I think, who sailed from the ocean into an unmarked inlet with breakers.  At the last moment a following wave broached him.  Seems I remember his mast went flat, but did not go into the water.  He managed to escape unharmed, but with the lesson learned.  So, I think you were smart to head out the breaking-waves- inlet and return in a well marked inlet.

Good on ya'.  Grog for ya'

[arw-16]

Thanks for the reply Paul.  In answer to your questions, I distinctly remember commenting during the sail that the beauty and scale of the ocean made the normally awe inspiring Wrightsville Beach look rather small.  Because of the combined force of the wind and the waves and some side slip, we had to tack around Johnny Mercer's concrete pier and once more to get around the rock wall at the south inlet.  I remember asking my first mate if he thought we should tack or just try to sail through the pier.  He said it was up to the skipper.  I think we could have made it, but I opted to tack and we passed about 100 yards from the end of the pier.  I didn't take any photos, but looking back I wish I had.  The tides never played much of a role.  There were some current issues and head wind issues getting through the north inlet, but no real problem.  We anchored in the shallows near the inlet for lunch.  I used just a mushroom anchor for simplicity and after several minutes, we had moved about twenty yards and very near the marsh bank.  So lunch was cut a little short and we got back under way.  The 3.5 Johnson pushed us along at a slow safe speed in idle.  The next time I will probably not sail the north inlet.  I am glad I did it, but in the future I would like to take my wife and the bays toward the south are much more comfitable for passengers.  My sailing friend for that day had sailed many other places in NC and was very impressed with the Wrightsville Beach sail.  The boat ramp and parking lot are very nice.  You have to schedule your times to get through the draw bridge just south of the Wildlife ramp.  My only complaint with the location is that there is only one public ramp and on the weekends the parking lot is full very early.  I recommend launching before 8:00 a.m. if you go out on Saturday or Sunday in the summer or better yet try to go out during the week or on Friday.  There is a very small public park up beside the stationary bridge with some free public boat docks there for boaters to pull in for a brief rest.  Retail shops and restaurants are right across the road.  We didn't dock there this past time, but I think my wife would like to do that in the future.

The map link below will give you a better idea.

http://com-pacowners.com/gallery2/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=0

[tsaiapex]

Ricky,

It is good to know that Mason Inlet is somewhat navigable to make a circle route.  I have sailed most of the NC coast in both CP16 and 19 but have never sailed out from the Wrightsville Beach due to the reputation of the weekend ramp traffic.  I would love to give that a try sometime.

There are few ComPacs hang out at NCSAIL.ORG if you wish to check them out.  There will be trip sailing from Beaufort to Cape Lookout weekend of October 12-14. 

Jeff Tsai
CP19, Mary Grace
Apex, NC

[Paul]

Ricky:

Thanks for the details.  Sounds like a good trip.  I have seen the ramp you're referring to.  Every time it's been very busy.

Jeff:

I wish I could go on that trip.  "Little Wing" probably won't be finished by then.  Who knows.  I would love to go.

Fair winds,

Paul

[Lost Lake]

Breakers sound scary to me! My 19 thumps pretty hard when the waves pick up on a big lake, breakers are probably too much.

[arw-16]

I have been reading a lot about rough rides in the 19.  I have had thoughts of moving up to the 19 in the future but now I wonder if I should just stay with the 16.  My objective in moving up would be to provide more comfort, safety and stability for the passengers, but it sounds like the 19 is more comfortable only in terms of space in calm water.  Though I have not sailed the 19 or the 23, I understand that the 23 has a lot more room than either but sails just like the 16.  My concern with the 23 is that I don't want to get too big and expensive.  I would like to hear the opinion of others on this, especially if anyone is familiar with all three.

[Paul]

If I recall correctly, there is some discussion in the Com-Pac FAQ section of the forum regarding 16 vs 19.

If you don't want the expense of the 23, but you like the action of the 16 minus the heeling moment, then you may consider reefing earlier on the 16.  As for space, I understand that the entire 16 would fit inside of the 23.  Just depends on how much space is enough and your sailing environments.

Other than the breakers, I am please to hear the 16 handled the open ocean well.  I hear that Pamilico Sound can kick up a chop pretty easily.  They say the waves are steep in that area due to the shallow bottom and long fetches.  I would like to hear about anyone else's experience on the Sounds of NC.

Paul

[arw-16]

Those interested in Wrightsville Beach, NC might find the links below interesting.  The three links are all related to a recent accident involving a sailboat at the drawbridge there.

http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/article/20070911/NEWS/709110353/1004

http://starnewsonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=WM&Date=20070910&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=910003&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1

http://www.wwaytv3.com/node/3732

I found the following quote very interesting.

At age 67, Stevenson said, he lives off of Social Security and can't afford to pay for the broken mast.

The Maryland native said he was sailing his 44-foot boat to Guatemala. Now he might be waiting months for the mast to be replaced and will continue to live on his boat, which was worth $170,000, he said.

It is inspiring to know that people without large bank accounts are living large and seeing the world on board sailboats.

[Bob23]

Rick:
I have an aunt and unlce in Wilmington and I may be visiting them later this month. He used to have a place on WB and goes there every day. Maybe I'll bump into you there.
bob23

[Glenn Basore]

Ricky,

Have you thought about the Com Pac Eclipse ?

She is 21 in length and 7-4 beam, very dry boat and stable !

I was sailing a small Hunter 170 in the ocean and decided to move up for the more stable boat, the Eclipse has been perfect for my sailing / towing needs and she is very spacious inside.

When sailing my H-170 in the ocean, I really had to pick the days to sail, to rough, I stayed in the marina or didn't sail at all.

Now, With the Eclipse, I have more of a sailing window to sail in.

[Rick Klages]

Just read your post. Congratulations on your successful adventure and the spirit it takes to undertake such an endeavor for the first time! Cheers! So the world isn't such a big place after all.  Sailboats are like Star ships. Next stop,  Aruba! Bring me that horizon!

ick