Anyone sail in the ocean?

[archimedes]

I'm trying to find the right Com-Pac for me.  Where I am planning to sail  is pretty much going to necessitate sailing in the ocean - not much in the way of inland water ways to sail.

I had a deal on a 23' worked out but it fell through.  So I'm back to looking.  Is it reasonable to expect to sail a 23' (or a 16' for that matter) in the ocean.  Obviously I would only go out in favorable weather conditions but would like to hear from other peoples experiences.

I've been renting and sailing both Com-Pac 16'  and 23'  boats on a small lake nearby so I'm familiar with them.  But I don't know what to expect in the ocean.  And I don't want to limit myself to a small lake environment.

A 27' has come available recently for a good price,  but I feel it is probably more boat than I need.   I know I would feel comfortable on a 27' in the ocean as I've done it a number of times on a 27' Hunter before.

Any feedback would be welcome.  Thanks

[deisher6]

Hey Archimedes:
We have owned two C-16's, a C-23, two C-27's as well as several other day sailers.  I am very comfortable in the C-27 both with a crew or by myself.  When we moved back to the East Coast, I looked for and purchased a C-27.  There have been times when I wished the cross section was more like a wine glass with a little more weight to keep from pounding in chop, but 3.5 feet draft is great for this part of NC.

Ultimately what suits you is your 'best' choice.

Good luck.

regards charlie

[jthatcher]

where are you sailing, Archimedes?     

[archimedes]

Northeast FL.  A place called Amelia Island.  There is very little in the way of inland waterways so going out in the Atlantic is the most appealing option.  Otherwise you're dealing with very shallow and narrow waterways with extreme tidal currents.

I just moved here and have gone out a few times in the Atlantic on a 27 footer and it was quite pleasant (except for dodging the nuclear subs).  Not sure what a 23'  would be like so I was curious what experience others might have had.

[moonlight]

The sailor usually gives out before the boat.  In careful hands I'd take any well found ComPac across an ocean, not just toe dipping.  Many before us have gone much farther, with much less ...

[Allure2sail]

Hi Moonlight:
Compac's are well built boats and are great coastal cruisers but were never intended to cross oceans. I own a 27 and have sailed it all over the Southern New England coastline, but it is not a blue water boat. One should always use a product for it's intended application. To push it further is temping faith and some day you will come up short. I always say "sail safe and you will always get to sail again". My two cents worth.
Bruce

[relamb]

I sail my CP23 in Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico all the time, and prior to that it was my CP16.  No problems as long as you're not out in a hurricane.
Watch the weather, don't get so far offshore you can't get back if things are going to blow up.  The boat can take more than you can.  I've been 10 miles out frequently in the CP23.  Also sailed it across Lake Michigan 60 miles each way.  Probably 4' waves.  I wouldn't start worrying until they were 5'+.
Watch the weather, take your safety gear, enjoy getting a little wet.  When it's rough I always wear an autoinflating life jacket with lots of stuff strapped to me, like a handheld waterproof GPS and handheld VHF radio, knife, and strobe.  Jacklines and tie myself to the boat.

[archimedes]

Thanks.  That's sort of what I was looking for.  I know that it is survivable,  that wasn't really my concern.  But I was more interested in how the boat handles in those conditions or if it's just a white knuckle ride in the ocean.

As I said earlier, I went out in the Atlantic for the first time (on a 27 footer) a few months ago and was surprised how comfortable it was.  Having no experience out there I didn't know what to expect.  Of course the weather will be a large determinant,  but it was much more doable than I expected.  Previously all my sailing experience had been in protected waters.

I think a 27' boat is really more boat than I need,  or want to maintain,  so if I can do it comfortably on a 23'  that would be great.  Not to mention much cheaper. 

[capt_nemo]

archimedes,


I preface my remarks by saying that I've cruised some offshore, and made two trips, of several months each, to the Bahamas in my own larger boats.

Most importantly, DITTO on watching your weather. That said, you should be able to comfortably sail a 23 in near coastal waters of the Atlantic off Amelia Island, FL. You could, in fact, sail smaller CPs offshore as well. Get the boat that fits your needs as well as your wallet.

Ocean sailing IS different, but in my opinion can be NICE different. As long as the winds are not howling the waves should be small and offshore swells gentle. Once you clear the inlet and are reasonably familiar with the coastline (charts on board of course) you are FREE to SAIL! No real swift currents or shallow depths to worry about or channel markers to follow. You're FREE of the tethers related to sailing INLAND waters. I've had some glorious sails in the near coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico with my 17' Sun Cat.

However, at the risk of being accused of preaching, this freedom to SAIL carries with it increased RESPONSIBILITY. For the seaworthy condition of your vessel, its hull, rigging, and equipment. And, for the safety and well being of any passengers aboard.

By the way, Mike Howell in nearby St. Mary's, GA sails a Sun Cat. E-mail address is on his Profile.

capt_nemo

[Mokey7]

Archimedes,
     You should check out the Rudder Club in Jacksonville. I keep my Picnic Cat there and sail on the St. John's river. It's a nice club where you can dry store you boat for very cheap, and it's about a 1/2 hour drive from you.

[relamb]

Having owned a CP16, CP23, and now a CP27, I was quite comfortable with the CP23 after getting some experience with it.  I was in a few storms, but not really big breaking waves.  One huge advantage of the CP23 is that it's much cheaper all around.  You can trailer it to other sailing destinations, store it at home during the off season, raise and lower the mast yourself, do your own bottom paint relatively easily, and there are a whole lot fewer systems to maintain.  If I were just sailing, I would prefer the CP23.  However, I lived on the CP27 for 7 months, where the CP23 would be like living in a pup tent.

[archimedes]

Thanks for the feedback it has been helpful.

I was actually in St Mary's on Thursday and went to the Rudder Club on Wednesday. 

Yeah, there's tremendous appeal in going out for a sail and being on a single tack for a couple of hours.  No shoals,  no makers,  no obstructions.  I presently sail on a small lake,  so it would be a welcome change.

[Shawn]

"I presently sail on a small lake,  so it would be a welcome change."

It is a night and day difference. Before buy my 23 I had a Flying Scot and used it on a 500 acre lake. It crossed the lake so quickly I was constantly tacking or gybing and the wind was very inconsistent as well. That was great to practice those skills (and reading puffs) but made learning sail trim harder as the wind was not constant. Moving to Narragansett Bay made learning sail trim much easier. Might sail for hours and only tack 2 or 3 times the whole time I'm out. On the lake I'd do that in 10 minutes.

Shawn

[brackish]

I will second what Shawn said.  I used to sail exclusively in the Gulf of Mexico, and the wind velocity and direction stayed relatively consistent for hours at a time.  I can set my 23 on a beam reach in the Gulf and never touch the sheets.  When I'm at my home lake, I am constantly adjusting because of the variability of the wind velocity and direction.  The wind tends to be channeled by the lake fingers and that will affect the wind on the main lake.  I would much rather sail near coastal on the Atlantic or the Gulf.  You have to watch the weather but that's true wherever.

Keep in mind a number of 23's have crossed the gulf stream from Florida to the Bahamas and back.

[HideAway]

We are pushing 20 years on HideAway.  Our range is from Tarpons Springs Fl to Boca Grand- Ft Meyers area.  Quite a bit of it off shore a few miles in all sorts of weather.   Its not so much the wind strength or big waves as it is your ability to endure many hours of being bashed about - that being said I agree with the more cautious comment above == Be prepared and have some fun today M