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I have been in and around the Port Royal sound with this boat all summer. I have not ventured off shore yet. It takes like 10 to get to the ocean from my home port. To be frank, it’s quite intimidating thinking of going offshore by myself. I will go of shore this month for a day trip. Then, maybe a trip to the next sound south of here for an over-nighters’. I was hoping, I could get some insight if this is capable boat for offshore cruising.
Thanks for your input.
Stick to you plan. The advice of finding someone to do some offshore passage making in the next 18 months is a good idea. Sans that taking a 3 day offshore sailing course will also help a lot too. You short coastal hops will be good experiene in understanding begnin as well as moderate ocean conditions, I am sure you are doing a lot of reading inyour preparations too. Keep moving forward.
O.K well here we go. I have committed deb and I to a 2 night 3 day sail on the upcoming Memorial day weekend. It will be around 70 miles and we will dock the first night on Hilton head at the marina. Hilton Head Harbor
from there we will head out to the THE BLUE BOUNDARY separating Hilton Head Island from the mainland is a wide, sweeping waterway named Calibogue Sound. The sound is melded from the confluence of Mackay Creek, May River, Cooper River, Broad Creek, and six tributaries on Hilton Head Island. Deep and 13 miles long, this waterway curves like the body of a dolphin and connects the Atlantic Ocean with Port Royal Sound. It is a place of history and natural wonders, beckoning discovery.
From there we will head to the Freeport Marina on Dafuskie. This Island in only accessable by boat. It was named by the slaves of the time they called it "the first key" or DAFUSKIE.
We will leave there and head out to the Ocean at tybee roads the shipping channel for the Savannah river and make out turn northwest. Our praviling wind should be from the south putting us wind on wing or a broad reach. We will then make our way to the bell marker "G" at martins industry and make our way back in to the port Royal sound "Back in familure waters. Hope to be on a incoming tide where the 10 miles back home will be a brease.
thanks so much to all you guys for helping and guiding a newby in this process. I'm excited to get out there. I fear if I did not have yall guideing me along it would have taken years to prepair for this trip.
Have fun. Sometime this summer you want to do at least a couple of overnights so you know what that is like. You probably need lee cloths to keep you in the berths in even middling ocean waves (say 10 footers).
Couple of other hints, the trip to/from Bermuda is terrific and can be really easy or a real challenge. Try not to have too rigid a schedule that forces a departure in less than ideal conditions. Sometimes waiting even two days can make a huge difference. Check the Bermuda Harbour Radio website well before you go. They have an information form that must be filled out and submitted before departure. If you are taking any crew you must have an EPIRB and real life raft. Not having these is completely irresponsible.
Once you are sure of the integrity of your boat, and there is no reason to think that the C&C is not up to a Mayish trip, think about redundancy, especially for your autopilot. These things break down frequently and hand steering is no fun after a few days. There is a good chance that you will have periods of little or no wind. I would be inclined to want to sail rather than motor. It is a sailboat and if you were in a hurry to get to Bermuda you would fly. Practice sailing your boat in light stuff and if you are not comfortable with the speed keep your eyes open for a used cruising spinnaker with a sock. You could save the cost in fuel.
Think about energy usage especially if you do not have wind or solar power. Changing to LEDs, especially for running and anchor lights, is wonderful and definitely pays for itself in fuel saving.
Are you planning to anchor or tie up in St George's? The latter is not always possible so you will need decent ground tackle and a dinghy for getting ashore. Last time we were there dockage was $1.25/ft although there were a few free spots but always full.
A dark and stormy at the White Horse Tavern on arrival is a tradition, although I seem to remember not stopping at one. BTW, my first arrival off Bermuda in 1982 remains a highlight of my sailing life. sure you will feel the same.
Just a little update to the first port hop I did on Memorial weekend.
Thanks for all the advise and help.
This is a great site for people learning and willing to listen.
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