Armchair sailer VS Blue water sailor

[CapnBilll]

I have heard a lot of talk on this board about what does or does not constitute a "Blue Water" boat. I think the best measure of a blue water boat is that it actually crossed an ocean.

SO let have a quick roll call.

In addition to giving brag space, I hope that it will be informative, to someone considering their first passage, to see someone who has made it in a simular boat. And what to expect.

1. Yes I have a blue water boat - I crossed the ----- Ocean in it, from point A to point B. a ??? mile crossing.
2. LOA, brand, keel type, # of hulls.
3. Time it took to cross
4. Max weather encountered in crossing.
5. gals of fuel, water, beer, ramen noodles consumed.
6. rate passage, 1 = washing machine in spin cycle, 10 = didn't spill the champaign.

[smackdaddy]

No crossings here. Just some off-shore racing thus far. Actually, I'm not much interested in big passages. I just want to explore places and race - so I'll probably keep a fun coastal boat, then charter.

As for clarification on the whole "blue water boat" debate, this was a good thread:

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/cruisi...ts-limits.html

[sck5]

does a passage from Norfolk to Tortola count as "crossing an ocean"? I wouldnt think so, but it isnt a "gulf" either, though it certainly counts as "blue water"

[night0wl]

Originally Posted by sck5

does a passage from Norfolk to Tortola count as "crossing an ocean"? I wouldnt think so, but it isnt a "gulf" either, though it certainly counts as "blue water"

I'd assume you went far enough offshore to lose sight of land? Also far enough to be outside of a weather forecast or ability to run to port if snotty weather did appear?

You definitely were on a bluewater passage.

[kwaltersmi]

My biggest non-interupted passage thus far has been a crossing of Lake Michigan (~75NM), which took about 12 hours overnight. Probably not a true "bluewater" passage, but I was 30+ NM's from the nearest land at one point, so give this Great Lakes sailor some props, will ya!?

[night0wl]

Originally Posted by kwaltersmi

My biggest non-interupted passage thus far has been a crossing of Lake Michigan (~75NM), which took about 12 hours overnight. Probably not a true "bluewater" passage, but I was 30+ NM's from the nearest land at one point, so give this Great Lakes sailor some props, will ya!?

hmmm, while a nice passage...I just dont know if this would be truly bluewater. You weren't out of range of a weather forecast. In my opinion (for what its worth) you were still coastal cruising here.

[jackdale]

Three passages

I do not own a boat, I sail OPBs

Honolulu to Port Renfrew 2500 Miles 19 days Elite 37

Lahaina to Vancouver 2600 miles 21 days C&C 41

Newport RI to Bermuda to St Barths 1400 miles 16 days Hylas 46

I have also been Around Vancouver Island 10 times.

[CapnBilll]

Originally Posted by sck5

does a passage from Norfolk to Tortola count as "crossing an ocean"? I wouldnt think so, but it isnt a "gulf" either, though it certainly counts as "blue water"

If you left the contenental shelf and didn't return to the same port; Yes it counts.

[smackdaddy]

Originally Posted by night0wl

hmmm, while a nice passage...I just dont know if this would be truly bluewater. You weren't out of range of a weather forecast. In my opinion (for what its worth) you were still coastal cruising here.

Personally, I define blue water as where the chart goes white. That's off-shore. That's good enough for me.

[CapnBilll]

Originally Posted by jackdale

Three passages

I do not own a boat, I sail OPBs

Honolulu to Port Renfrew 2500 Miles 19 days Elite 37

Lahaina to Vancouver 2600 miles 21 days C&C 41

Newport RI to Bermuda to St Barths 1400 miles 16 days Hylas 46

I have also been Around Vancouver Island 10 times.

You made good time to Honolulu, how was the weather?