SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!
I have a 1979 Chrysler 26 that I sail in Lake Pleasant. Most of what I have read on the internet about this boat is in lakes. Does anyone have any experience with this boat on the open ocean? Could I safely sail off-shore?
Hello, Why can't you sail her off shore? The wind blows the same outside as it does on the lakes. Only one thing to take into consideration, wave action.
The ocean waves act differently than lakes because of current and depth.
I have not had a 26 but I did have a 22 swing keel and sailed her in the southern new jersey area just fine for about two years till I sold her.
There are two Chryslers in the area here and I see them every year in the marina, so I'm assuming they sail them frequently. Good luck, start lightly and get a feel for it. Don't under estimate your boat but respect her abilities, and most of all have fun.
Cheap video games aside, I would not say that the wind on the ocean blows just like it does on the lakes. Haven't been offshore yet but I do watch the weather reports, and the wind typically blows significantly harder on the ocean. 15-25 knots in the Strait of Georgia often mean 30-40 knots on the coast.
Also, wave action is different on the ocean than on the lakes for reasons besides just current and depth. When there's no land for thousands of miles to slow the wind down or absorb the energy of the waves, they can get pretty big. Like, as high as your boat is long.
None of this means you can't take your 26' boat on the ocean. Just keep an eye on the sky and be prepared.
You also need to consider the potential for being away from help. No matter where you are in a lake, unless its one of the Great Lakes, you can get to shore pretty quickly in an emergency, and you can't find yourself unable to reach shore because of a strong wind or current to seaward. In open waters that is not the case, and in many areas, like the New Jersey shore, most of the inlets become dangerous or impassable when bad conditions arise.
I have owned several boats and was a rigger and warranty repair specialist for Hunter, Catalina, and Chrysler '78-84. I sold my Hunter 30 last year when someone gave me a Chrysler 26 swing keel. Eventually I will put her in the ocean and sail the Bahamas BUT not until I have made a few mods.
The C-26 was one of the cheapest boats ever made. The bulkheads are particle board and after 30 years have started to disintgrate. Replace them with solid 3/4 ply before you put her in pounding ocean seas. The keel trunk on these boats often cracked and leaked so it needs to be beefed up where it meets the sole and also on the outside add a couple layers of roving inside the trunk or you will be on the bottom of the ocean in a few minutes.
The main hatch and companionway are big enough to drive a truck through. That scares me. A knock down could be disastrous but I made solid oak 3/4" boards to close her up in heavy weather. I still have to rebuild the main hatch because the lips are only 1/2" wide and that is very inadequate. I plan to make them 1" wide and 1/4" thick and replace the slides with 1/4" aluminum channel instead of the dinky little piece of teak that it came with.
I also plan to move the outboard to a well built under the cockpit so it becomes an "inboard" but that is personal preference. I just hate the motor hanging off the back and that huge hole in the stern will be glassed over so I have a watertight lazarette.
I'm going to make some changes to bluewater to sail my C-22 and life would be great when I find a c-26 to sail. I just love the lines and there arn't many others out there with its look.
I think you will find most sailers will modify their boats what ever type of sailing they do.
Lionshooter I'll give twice what you paid for yours...lol
These guy's don't appear to have a problem with blue water in their Chrysler. It's an older centerboard model too. I would be to chicken to leave sight of land in my 79 CB model. Fixed keel and I'd sail her anywhere. I just don't trut the centerboard to stay aboard if things get rough.
As a delivery captain for many years, I have sailed all types of boats (of course they were large, fairly new ones) across the Atlantic several times, and Miami to most islands south. I survived a force 5 gale in a Spirit 23 that took out 2 larger boats and killed 5 people on them. So I know boats and know what I am doing. That said, I will say one more thing. I WOULD NEVER TAKE MY SWING KEEL C-26 OUT OF SIGHT OF LAND. If it came off the top of a 40 footer, the keel would come right through the cabin upon reentry. The cabin sole has already been reinforced where it cracked around the trunk and a couple months ago it sprung another leak, I mean like a garden hose, at the base of the trunk. Fortunately, I keep a can of Gorilla Snot on board and was able to patch it within 5 minutes. The hull is only about 1/8" at the sole.
Scary, isn't it?
Ive seen the Frenchies videos, but that to me isn't much more than a lake sail on a 20 knot day. Those are not breaking waves. Watch 'Perfect Storm' and imagine being in that crap with a swing keel. Adios.
Well I just found a C-26 at a unbelievable price and its a fix keel I hope to be costal sailing it from Va here to NC as a little test , 4 days I figure. This times out perfect for the Bahamas trip idea. I even have a lead on a $50 trailer for it...(yes I'm sure it needs work).
I really appreciate the advice This way I can say its your fault when the wife says something about having 2 boats. I'm sure The 1st mate and I will be much happier and safer, have a bigger boat like this might mean a move to the coast or am I to young to retire and stay away from this weather?
I live in down east Maine and sail a swing keel C22 that I have had here for 6 years and was owned And sailed by my neighbor here for at least 10 years.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
SailNet Community
1.7M posts
173.8K members
Since 1990
A forum community dedicated to Sailing, boating, cruising, racing & chartering. Come join the discussion about sailing, destinations, maintenance, repairs, navigation, electronics, classifieds and more