Some basic questions

[abiehl]

Hi all! I just bought a 1994 Macgregor 26S 2 weeks ago, and took it out the first time last weekend. I had some scary moments (rudder slamming into outboard prop and almost sending me into a bridge pilon, motor dying and the wind subsequently dying, making it very difficult to return to the pier...). But after solving my motor problem (overheated because pee hole was blocked), I'm ready for more "adventures".

I have a few basic questions, because, as you can probably tell from my first time out, my sailing experience is very limited:

I live in New London, CT, and would like to sail this weekend to Fishers Island. To anyone who is familiar with the area, are there any good/bad approaches to the island? Do I need to worry about currents? Is there anything else I need to worry about or avoid?

As a beginner, I don't have a very good concept of how long this trip will take me. I think I will be putting the boat in the water in Groton. It looks from the charts as if it will be about a 3-4 mile sail (to Flat Hammock, where I hope to stop for lunch). The wind is predicted to be 5-10 mph coming from the S-SW, which should put me on a beam reach (if I have my terminology right?). Any guestimates on how long it will take me to get there?

Charts - From browsing the internet, I found that you can get NOAA charts free?? Are they sufficient to use for navigation?

Thanks for any help/advice!

[mastreb]

I would recommend getting a lot more familiar with sailing and your boat before doing anything that far offshore,

[FinallySailing]

+1 for mastreb

I can understand that you've now got a taste for adventure. I have the same boat as you. But please, please, ensure that you know exactly what you are doing and that you are prepared for the eventuality that things go wrong. How good are your sailing skills ? Do you know your tides and streams which will definitely interfere with the times you should sail and your course to steer ? You know your colregs ? Your charts ? How safe is your boat ? Are the bilge pumps working, electrics ok, first aid kit ? VHF working and do you know how to use it ? Sailing is one of - no - THE greatest pastime there is. But it is also potentially dangerous. Take some lessons first, go online, there are lots of videos on you tube to teach you the theory as well. Otherwise what could be the greatest hobby for you, might soon become a big and scary disappointment.

Stay safe and fair winds,

FS

[Catigale]

I've sailed the Cape and Sounds for 10 years. I'm still a beginner.

You aren't ready for this venue yet. If conditions are fine, everything goes great. When fog rolls in, and there is no wind and your motor dies, if you can't fix it you sit there waiting for a freighter to hit you...good news is you hear them coming so it isn't a surprise

Buy a copy of Eldridges Cruising guide to study the tides and currents around this area. You will pretty quickly figure out how complicated navigation is in this venue.

[Russ]

I agree with Catigale. I sailed those areas to Block Island and Nantucket years ago. Lots of tricky stuff, especially with currents and fog.

You should educate yourself. I suggest start here http://www.usps.org/e_stuff/public_ed.htm
The courses are taught by volunteers and are offered dirt cheap (material costs only).
Find a class and a mentor to teach you about the local waters. Then, you will be confident when you set out for that journey.

[Saxacussionist]

Find a class and a mentor to teach you about the local waters. Then, you will be confident when you set out for that journey.

I would like to echo RussMT. I am a beginner as well, this is my first season. I took 3 weeks of approved classes, which were great, but there is nothing as good as having a mentor. Hang around the marina a while as I did. I met a couple 'old salts' who I love to sail with. I've learned more from them than the entire class.

I learned this from my flying buddies - "There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots..." I'm guessing that applies to sailors as well.

Not trying to rain on your adventures, just keep 'em as safe as possible!

[kevinnem]

CAtigale-- congrates, . you have just become the first person quoted in my sig (see below).

Kev.

(I have a signature, . as well as teh "add signature by default" turn on in my profile.. anyidea why it is not posting it?

Kev.

[abiehl]

Thanks all for the replies. I wasn't sure whether this was a "that's a really stupid idea" idea, or a "proceed with caution" idea. I had just about convinced myself of the latter, so it is very helpful to see a consensus that it is actually the former. Based on everyone's advice, I'll hold off on the trip until I have more experience.

As far as the experience I do have - I took a beginners sailing class at the Mystic Seaport (sailing JY15's) and have been on 26' boat 2 times. I think I have a decent understanding of what I would term the sailing basics - how to trim the sails based upon wind direction/speed... but no understanding of how to react to/deal with weather, currents, and different "crises" that may come up.

I do happen to have a few friends who are experienced sailors. I'll have to enlist them as mentors. Thanks again for the advice.

Although I will not be making the trip, out of curiosity, how long would anyone who's sailed in the area estimate the trip to take (Groton public boat launch to Flat Hammock, wind speed of 5-10 mph)?

[jbousquin]

Abiehl,

I echo the sentiments of Mastreb, RussMT and Catigale, all of whom are frequent, valuable and well respected contributors to this board.

I'll add my own perspective. I've been sailing since I was 7. (I'm 40 now). I've done a lot of what people would call "extreme" sports, such as whitewater kayaking, rock climbing and caving.

I'm very conservative, by nature, when undertaking an outing, whether on the water or terra firma. I've actually never sailed blue water -- meaning off shore in the ocean. All of my sailing has been done in the protected waters of the Chesapeake Bay and California Delta. I would suggest before going out in the ocean, find a protected area to practice in -- a bay, river or lake. Take a year or more to get comfortable with your boat and sailing in general in that that environment. As Roger says in the owners manual, you can figure out the basics of sailing in an afternoon. But I, and I'm sure others here, can tell you it takes a lifetime to master.

Then, after sailing in protected waters for a season, if you still want to, go out into the ocean -- but only do so with someone who's been out there before, is an experienced sailor and knows those waters. Having that person's perspective and knowledge on your first trip into open water will be of great benefit when you do decide to go out, for your first time, on your own.

Just my two cents, good luck.

Joe

[capt grumpypants]

Hello abiehl,

Another bit of advice is to leave a sailing plan with your harbormaster or a responsible friend onshore before you head out into 'big water'. If your google "sailing plan" you can find examples and instructions. You can fill one out as you are planning your trip.

Fair winds...

James and Theo

[Tomfoolery]

Since we're on the safety aspects of such a trip, be sure to have both a 25W marine VHF, and a hand-held for backup. Know how to use them, including output power selection. A cel phone should work that close to shore, but don't bank on it. Standard, required safety items, such as flares, a noisemaker, PFD's (throwable and wearable), etc. are a must.

It's not the trip that's the risk per se; it's when something goes wrong. That's why you file a float plan - so someone knows where to start looking if you don't make it to the other side.

It's not far to your destination (something like 5-6 miles, I think), but it's open water, and not something to take lightly.

[pmmcderm]

I'm still a fairly new owner myself, but I'm almost always in "Blue Water" since I live on an island (Oahu). One thing just about everyone here has is a Personal Locator Beacon. They're a lot cheaper than a EPRB, although they don't float. The model I have also doesn't go off automatically. Not sure what the whether is like there, but off-shore here we typically have 6-8 foot swells and 20-25 knot winds with higher gusts. I strongly recommend learning in protected waters first. Don't underestimate a small sailboats ability to act like a cork in the open ocean. It won't sink, but it can be VERY uncomfortable, exhausting, and difficult to control. If it's calm, no problems.

I'm still working up the courage to make the 35 mile trip from Oahu to Molokai.

[raycarlson]

holy smokes, this guy wants to sail three miles and he needs charts and locater beacons, hull maybe he should hire a helicopter escort with an ER doctor on board.

[Russ]

I don't now about a beacon, but charts, YES! Currents in that stretch are tricky as well. He has an S with low HP and new to boating, so I say get more experience.

We came upon a group of lost jet skis in the fog off Block Island once. They were lucky they found us and found land.

[K9Kampers]

abihel-

Consider joining the North East Trailer Sailors, (LINK: NE-TS), as a resource. The majority of us are Mac sailors, and have several group rendezvous in the greater New England area. Sailing with a group in new venues can be less intimidating than when solo. We were supposed to be at Cuttyhunk this weekend, but the trip was canceled due to the threat of undesirable weather. Next weekend we are scheduled to be sailing in Naragansett Bay.

I'll PM you later with other info...