need advice fast!

[Trouty]

A friend and I are planning to sail from Bayfield ontario to Tobermoray Ontario, departing tonight at 8pm and motoring straight through the night. It is about 110nm distance.

We have a well equipped C&C 33 and are moderately experienced. We have a chartplotter but no radar. The only thing that concerns me is the weather forcast which calls for a possibility of thunderstorms tonight lasting till noon tomorrow:


Any thoughts or advice appreciated

[Trouty]

we also plan to take 2 hr watches to get a bit of sleep

[Trouty]

forgot the weather report!

Great Lakes - Lake Huron - Forecast - Environment Canada

[deniseO30]

if you need advice that quick it means your unsure and not prepared. don't go is my advice! (you did ask) good luck!

[rikhall]

I agree 100% with DeniseO30.

You can go almost anywhere in almost any boat when there is no "time line" or "gotta do it now" involved.

Like Denise says - if you are asking for advice on this "we gotta go now" trip - my advice is the same.

Don't!

I prefer not to read about your trip on the front page of the TG&M!

Rik

[sailingdog]

Denise makes a good point. What makes ask for advice at this late point... asking a few weeks ago would have made much more sense.

Originally Posted by deniseO30

if you need advice that quick it means your unsure and not prepared. don't go is my advice! (you did ask) good luck!

However, if you and your friend have a decent amount of experience with the boat and know how it handles in heavy weather, you should be fine—especially if asking is the result of the first time doing this type of trip jitters.

Remember to put at least one, in this case probably two reefs in the main before leaving if you're going to be motorsailing. BTW, if you're not capable of reefing the mainsail in under three minutes, at night, on a rocking deck, then you really aren't experienced or prepared enough to go IMHO.

Also, as a general rule when doing something like this:

1. Tethers and PFDs are required when in the cockpit, especially solo at night.
   
2. No one leaves the cockpit without waking the other person and having the other person at the helm.
   
3. Stay clipped in and on the boat

Also, night watches can get awfully cold, so keep the foulies and fleece close at hand.

[Trouty]

Thanks for the replies,

I've been prepared for weeks - just getting some last minute jitters since I've not sailed at night before. The route we are taking does not offer many opportunities to duck into a port or behind an island. We would be between 5 - 20 nm off shore for the duration, and pretty much committed.

Perhaps here is a better question: when would you go out on Huron at night when there is a "risk" of a thunderstorm? Otherwise, the forcast winds and waves are no problem for me or my boat.

Also, Environment Canada says a "risk of Thunderstorms" whereas the weather network says "Thundershowers".

For night sailing we plan to:

Stay teathered
Reef the main
not go on deck
have flashlights on the PFDs and headlamps ready

My inclination is not to use the sails at all although I realize in a real blow we might want the extra power and comfort of just a bit of sail

Cheers,
Trouty

[deniseO30]

Don't go, no reason to sail at night. High winds are predicted also. If you take a moment you already answered your concerns. Or is your friend just antsy to go no matter what the forecast?

[sailingdog]

I'd point out that you may have to go on deck regardless of what you plan. Do you have jacklines rigged???

You should both be wearing PFDs...not have them ready.

One reason I'd argue for the sail is that if the engine dies suddenly in the storm, you're not going to be left floundering around and without some form of motive power. The C&C 33 is a SAILBOAT primarily, and not having the sails up on a journey of that distance strikes me as a bit foolish.

I would also highly recommend that you write up a page on each port that you might have to bail out at that has the lat/long, a description of the approach—including the bearing, landmarks and what ATONs are involved— as well as the phone number/VHF channels of the marinas located therein. Also, you'll want to note any hazards or significant features, like submersed jetties, that would make the approach more challenging and possibly list danger bearings for them.

Having a sheet like that for each port makes it far simpler if you have an emergency and have to bail out in a hurry. It is far easier to read what you've written up at your leisure and double-checked, than it is to try and dig up the same information from the charts and guide books while dealing with the other pressures of a problem.

[deniseO30]

LOL and I'm scared to just go down river to Delaware Bay and Cape May LOL