Really dumb question....

Mizu · #1 (**permalink**) 01-19-2011

How much sailing experience is neccesary to cross the atlantic? From Chesapeake Mouth to Azores Horta?
What I am getting at is that not everyone can be Captain Ahab with 85 years on the water. How much is enough?
Can you make up for lack with equipment and boat?

Is crossing the Atlanic more a matter of moderate skill and great intestinal fortitude? Or is Great skill required?

I want to go...but I don't care to delude myself about if I capable either.

Thoughts?

Minnewaska · #2 (**permalink**) 01-19-2011

That's impossible to answer. The sea has allowed an entirely inexperienced ocean sailor to cross the Atlantic in a 13ft boat (read Tinkerbell by Robert Manry) and it has taken some of the world's best sailors to their grave.

My only advice is to get as much training and experience as you can. Be sure you've been in serious weather for multiple days to test your mettle first. The right or wrong boat can also play role, but secondary to the crew. The Captain is the only one who will know if they're ready.

tommays · #3 (**permalink**) 01-19-2011

I would try an do some crewing on boats with boats that do distance races having the best chance of letting you get your feet wet in a safe manner

After a while of this you will see if the dream matchs the reality and you can move forward

souljour2000 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-19-2011

I would try a shorter passage first...like New Orleans to Tampa ir vice versa where you have 400 miles or so of open water and a variety of prevailing winds You can get a good idea of things and hone your navigational skills, collision avoidance with vessels (by watching thier running lights at night) and other skills. Meanwhile the Gulf of Mexico is as challenging as any body of water IMHO....especially from Nov-April...

Flybyknight · #5 (**permalink**) 01-19-2011

No disrespect intended, but if you have to ask; well then You have your answer.
respectfully,
Dick

Mizu · #6 (**permalink**) 01-19-2011

No offense taken.
Just as I don't want to overestimate my skill I would hate to let fear of the unkown paralyze me into never going.

I have a decent boat. (43 foot Cutter rigged sloop Young Sun design)
I have been sailing around and over the Cheasapeake for 2 years in some pretty dicey weather.

I think if I am ever NOT nervouse about an undertaking like this ocean crossing THATS when I will be in the most danger.

From what I can tell Ocean crossing seems to be a mix of luck, balls and brains.
I have 2 out of three

tommays · #7 (**permalink**) 01-19-2011

Step one would be trying to keep the boat moving 24/7 for a few days and seeing how well you function as it is not clear how many people you would be doing this with

In most cases sleeping 3 hours would be a LONG rest

Mizu · #8 (**permalink**) 01-19-2011

LOL Tommys...Yeah the army taught me that I can function pretty well with a 20 min nap ever couple of hours for weeks on end.

But I would be bringing others with me.
Hopefully some people with more exerience than me but maybe some with just as much as me.

I have a good boat.
I have good equipment.
I have a decent amount of sailing under my belt.
I have handled my share of difficult conditions including a couple that would have lost to boat if I had not been good under pressure.

I THINK I have what it takes. But I like to gather as much intel as possible before pulling the trigger on something like this.

Thank you for your inputs. All thoughts are welcome.

BubbleheadMd · #9 (**permalink**) 01-19-2011

You could easily learn the skills, you could make passages to gain the experience, but...

It's not just the boat's size or whether it's a "good boat". There are very specific construction points that make a blue-water boat vs. a coastal cruiser.

I request that some of our blue-water passage makers step in and illustrate the differences between a light cruiser and blue water boat.

Mizu · #10 (**permalink**) 01-19-2011

I have long ago determined that my boat is a blue water boat.

Built in 1979 in taiwan for the Australian market it has a 5 foot 8 inch draft is 43 foot long with a 11 foot beam with a double ended hull designed by Rob Amy (This design was laterredone for the American market under the name SpinDrift)
It has large below water line storage along the center line. Its got 11 stays not one of which shares a turnbuckle with any other stay.
It is very heavy.

lol I must be sailor look at me get my hackles up when I think some one slighted my boat...