How is sailing on large bodies of water?

[KIVALO]

Everyone is different but for me the answer to the question...

How is it sailing on big bodies of water?

I would say FUN.

[Lake Superior Sailor]

I get to see whats beyond the horizon!....... Dale

[sailpappy]

Sunflower,
I have lived in South Florida most of my life, I craved a speed boat for the longest time, until I realied how much it would take to feed it. Being a 100% disabled Viet Nam Veteran, I had unlimited time, yet very limited resources.
I went searching a sailboat and found and Oday 25 in my price range, from the time the owner opened the main and the jib and cut the motor I was hooked, I spent 350+ days a year for the next 8 years trying to knock it down, I have to say I agree with Foolish Muse, it didn't matter if it was blowing 50knotts, if I was sitting in the cabin of that boat I was happy, I soon found a sunfish that I piece mealed together with a Phantom sail(wich was abpout 20% bigger than a sunfish sail) the days it was just too big to sail in the gulf I stayed in Naples bay and sailed Ball's Up, there were days when I hiked out as far as I could and would be running with the wave runners.
A bigger boat gives you more options with stronger wind, and comfort, but the passion is either there or its not. for me 30 degree's heeled as close hauled as I can get is te rush I love. I will be buying my 35 ft Morgan on the 4th of April and I can Hardly sleep at night waiting for the current owner to finish their trip so they can hand her over!
John

[robmo]

I started sailing on Buzzards Bay and now I sail on Lakes in OR and occasionally on Buzzards Bay and Galveston Bay. Buzzards Bay is about ten miles wide and 38 miles long and is one challenging place to sail. If you're interested, you can read about my experiences in my Kindle book ($0.99) entitled Circadian Rhythm. Now, I primarily race on the lakes, but occasionally sail my Lightning on a small lake near my home. The challenge with the Lightning is rigging and unrigging (mast stepping)the boat quickly and sailing a small centerboarder. I find that one needs to continually try new venues, boats and pursuits to keep sailing interesting. Racing is definitely one way to do that. Another is to sail small boats on large bodies of rough water like Buzzards Bay. When you think you've mastered the situation, some new wrinkle appears, doing it well is called seamanship.

[chef2sail]

I never am bored with the Chesapeake. When I get antsy its up the coast to Long Island and beyond. My pasion is the sound of the water...the wind on my face or neck, the heel of the boat, and the wake behind me. With that I am at peace and all is right with the world.

That can be on a lake, a river, the Chesapeake, or the ocean.

Dave

[robmo]

I sailed on the Chessy for a week in October on a 63' "pinky" schooner and in conversations with the mate who is a seasoned Cheesy sailor, I asked him what the prevailing wind was in the summer. His answer was "none!" I kinda knew that, but it was funny for someone who sails there to confirm it. Not the case on Buzzards Bay, the "fan" is always on.

[RealityCheck]

I find that large bodies of water totally different to smaller bodies and near coastal different from being out in a sea 100 miles from the nearest land where you can not see anything but the sea and sky... not even other boats.

I get the impression you like speed more than other elements of sailing. If so racing or small boats ... even power boats (god forbid) may be your thing. Even at lower speeds sailboat racing is a "faster" sensation which you seem to be looking for. That will be Totally Different from cruising sailing or even voyaging while living aboard full time. It is even enough different from day sailing that you may find it more to your interest.

As you get more involved with sailing, you will probably find your niche or find it is not for you at all. You will also find that your taste can/ will change with experience and age. If you find it more like work than fun... don't do it, take up golf or something you enjoy more.

[Capt Len]

There are charterable sailboats and air ports near every body of water. Consider it an adventurous learning curve.

[yoho]

Hello,

Sailing is as fun as you make it no matter what boat. It's like this if you feel that you need the room of a thirty foot plus boat then get that size. If you can live with a twenty to twenty six footer get that. Your own limitations are the only factors such as can you afford the cost, reduced abiltiy to crew it single handed and depth around your cruising grounds. Me personally enjoy spending the night out but like to get close to the beach so shoal draft and ample cabin space were factors. Happy sailing and dreaming.

[CapnBilll]

My biggest thrill of boating is going somewhere you cannot get to by car, IE an island.

I can see boating on the same ol lake weekend after weekend, and seeing the same 3 or four docks over and over again gets a little old after a while. I don't know about a cat-22, but a cat-25 is what I was looking at for coastal bay sailing.

I find pulling up to a dock, (a new one) that I have never been to before after a challenging sail accross the bay, gives me an incredible sense of accomplishment.

I find it very exciting to make my way to an out of the way island in the middle of the bay, to find I am the only human within miles, sometimes I find a small island that the only footprints I see are my own. In my imagination I see what it must feel like to cross an ocean and discover a new land.

I can't wait until I get THE boat, that will take me across the ocean to a new country with strange looking natives that speak a completely different language, and have different customs, and culture. Some may feel that the ultimate sailing experience is teaking an extra .1 knots out of a 5 knot wind in a close race, but for me it is the freedom to explore the other 75% of this planet.