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Can I make this trip as a novice

6K views 33 replies 22 participants last post by  abrahamx 
#1 ·
I am looking at buying a boat in Bay City MI. I would have to sail her from saginaw bay to lake st. clair. Maybe 100 miles or so. I have crewed on a Hunter 34 on a Port Huron Mac race and done a couple seasons of club racing as crew. I owned a 18' hunter for a few years. Pretty book smart and all that, just not alot of experience driving my own boat. I am looking to buy a Pearson 28 set up for single handing. I would have to sail it home single handed more than likely. I am not familiar with the waters or the electronics, but aint stupid either. Also never ran into a river. I would have to cruise down the st clair river which moves pretty good. Just wondering if this is something I should be able to handle? Just want to make sure I can make it from point a to point b without grounding my brand new purchase. I mean you got to do it for the first time once right?? :confused:
 
#2 ·
Two kinds of sailors, those who have run aground and those who lie.

Get a chart of the area to be covered. Divide the distance into thirds. Look for
places to duck into should weather turn nasty, night falls, equipment fails or zombies attack. Buy tow insurance. Double check anchors, stock up on food, liquids and tunes and GO!
 
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#3 ·
Yup,
If your gonna own a boat you might as well be willing to take it out, first trip, tenth trip, etc. The difference will be experience. Since you will have zero experience with this particular boat I suggest you throw away your watch and calendar. Take it slow, don't plan on long distances, early starts, late stops, and what not. Plan carefully, talk to someone that has made this particular route, have bail out points identified and if your halfway intelligent you should have a lovely time learning about your new boat on your maiden voyage. Know how to use your ground tackle and practice anchoring BEFORE you set out.

Plan on things breaking, not working, not being where you left them, and generally screwing up your best laid plans and you will be fine.

Let us know when you are getting underway.
 
#4 ·
Stick to the channels and deep waters on the chart, stop over night one the way if your motoring... its a get it home delivery right.. save the playtime for home waters..
Make sure the engines freshly fuelled and serviced... filters etc.
You should be fine... oh.. and if you have not got one.. get an auto pilot..:D
 
#5 ·
I had to do a similar length trip home with my Pearson 28-2. We did it in 2 days, one night stopover. We got started after lunch the first day. We motored almost the entire way because winds were very light, but I did sail it for about an hour just because.

An autopilot is barely necessary on this boat. It keeps direction very well when running on the motor, and balances easily under sail too. I have an autopilot, but still often go long distances without turning it on.

We had unknown electronics as well (only the speed through water and depth finder were known to be working), so I brought along a handheld GPS.
 
#6 ·
Hi abrahamx, I've never sailed that area, but a quick look at the charts says you'll likely be marina-hopping, except perhaps the first night in Saginaw Bay. Plan your jumps and listen for weather. As a Great Lakes sailor you know how quickly things can develop and change.

Good advice from the others. Leave the schedules at home, and don't push it too hard. Nothing wrong with 15-20 mile days. I'd spend a few days sailing around the bay before heading off. You'll learn your new boat, and hopefully break anything that was about to break before you start the journey.

One more thing, keep a close eye on any freighter traffic, and stay out of the lanes. Not sure what it's like in Saginaw Bay, but you'll get into the thick of things as get get closer to the St. Clair River mouth.
 
#7 ·
Captain Cautious

While others say that it can be done and with a proper amount of planning, go for it, I am less Gung Ho than them. I would see if you can get a buddy to make at the trip with you or at least some of it. This does several things:

  • Makes the time go by quicker
  • Gives you another set of hands if things go wrong
  • Gives you more brain power to do decisions
  • Increases your overall safety, as long as the other person isn't a complete hazard
  • Simple things like docking, anchoring, picking up a mooring,etc. are a much easier

Before owning my own boat, I taught sailing in scout camp, learned on a laser, and my dad had a Catalina 22. Sailed many many times, but It took me almost a year and half of sailing on my own boat with others before I decided to try single-handing. Everything that seemed easy became a challenge by myself. I am much better at it now,but the first few times were a little"scary" in some of the activities.

Unless the winds are absolutely perfect and your are really confident in your abilities, I would motor the entire way. Generally you be faster and get there quicker. Getting there quicker isn't the idea, but getting there safely while still learning about your boat is. A typically sailboat pushed at 6 kts in mild conditions (no real head wind, current or chop) will burn ~0.75 g/h. So for a 100 mile trip your looking at around 16 g of fuel.

If you do go, make sure you tether yourself to the boat and wear a PFD you are underway and on deck.

DrB
 
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#8 ·
Cool, Yea, will probably motor the whole way. Definitely will be easier and I will try to get some one to go. should be able to. thanks for all the good info and I will post back. In the meantime I still would not mind keeping this post going for my knowledge and others.
 
#9 ·
Every boat I've bought had problems at purchase. This includes new and used. I'd suggest whatever you do, take at least one day and sail it locally at your departure point. Try the motor for a couple of hours, get the sails up and down, and sleep one night on the boat checking any necessary systems including galley stuff, fresh water, etc. Put down the anchor, raise the anchor. Make sure the boat itself is safe and functional enough that the trip will be good and safe.

Then if you do it yourself, do short hops and get lots of rest. Better, do it with a buddy. Better yet, do it with a buddy who owns a similar or bigger boat. Best, do it with a buddy who has tools, knows how to use them, and has a bigger or similar sized boat.

Good luck, be safe, have fun!!
 
#11 ·
Abe,

The best guy to ask is the guy staring at you when you shave -- if you've got his vote, then go for it. Just make sure both you and him are in full agreement, and that you both do your homework (to include picking a good weather window.)

We covered part of your route when we were heading for Holland, MI from the Chesapeake.

One of the great things about Michigan is that they have state park marinas, and they usually are no more than a half day's journey apart. If things get a bit nasty, you can duck into one to wait for better weather. When we were coming up from Port Huron (in late August) we took a maintenance/laundry day in Port Sanilac, then ducked into Harbor Beach for a couple of days when the weather turned against us.

Even if your time/distance calculations for the run from Port Huron down to Lake St Claire tell you you can make it in a day, plan a couple of bail-out option marinas as well.

Sounds like it'll be a good shake-down cruise.

Oh -- get the tow insurance. It's worth it, even if it's only for the peace of mind.
 
#13 ·
First of all, let me tell you that your estimate of a 100 mile trip may be true if you went as the crow flies, but by water it is over 200 miles!!

I have made this trip going both north and south at least 10 times in different boats, at different times of the year, but I would not want do it solo.

My advice would be to find someone with some experience to help you, check out the boat, the gear, the engine, the filters, the sails, the safety stuff, the charts, nav stuff etc.etc. Then take it one step at a time, and don't get locked into a tight schedule.

All that said, it can be a great trip. but not to be taken lightly! I wish I was still in Michigan, to go with you.
 
#14 ·
I'm sure glad the internet wasn't around when Columbus, Magellan, Shackleton or Cook was contemplating going sailing. We'd all still be living in Europe if Gore had invented it back then.

To the OP, I told my granddaughter, after she took a spill off her bike while racing downhill, "Lets go inside , lay down and stare at the ceiling. We will be safe and not get hurt." Her reply was between tears, "NO, thats boring." She got back on her bike and made it down the hill, screaming with joy the whole way.

Make sure your equipment is sound, weather is good, common sense on board and GO.
 
#16 ·
I don't think anyone here is telling him to not go

I'm sure glad the internet wasn't around when Columbus, Magellan, Shackleton or Cook was contemplating going sailing. We'd all still be living in Europe if Gore had invented it back then.

To the OP, I told my granddaughter, after she took a spill off her bike while racing downhill, "Lets go inside , lay down and stare at the ceiling. We will be safe and not get hurt." Her reply was between tears, "NO, thats boring." She got back on her bike and made it down the hill, screaming with joy the whole way.

Make sure your equipment is sound, weather is good, common sense on board and GO.
I don't think folks are saying, me included, to sell the boat and stay in your safe house and stare at the ceiling. The general consensus is to not do the first time on your "new" boat as a 100 mile + shakedown/get to know cruise alone.

Most folks are advocating a preliminary day cruise to understand the systems of the boat before making the 100+ mile trip. Most people are also advocating getting a partner or hiring a captain to do the trip with the OP.

The explorers that you mentioned all had seasoned crew for the journey and I doubt that any of them were "novice" captains and hadn't been on boat before prior to them setting off. Also, for your other example, I doubt that your granddaughter's first time on the bike was to get on and head straight down Deadman's Hill. My guess is that she went through the training wheel, then two wheel on flat stuff, before the hill attempt.
 
#18 ·
Re: I don't think anyone here is telling him to not go

Most folks are advocating a preliminary day cruise to understand the systems of the boat before making the 100+ mile trip. Most people are also advocating getting a partner or hiring a captain to do the trip with the OP.
I agree, the OP should certainly spend a few days sailing his new boat before heading off on the journey. Push the systems, and the captain. Drop and hoist anchor, practice reefing, heaving-to, and push the engine. Better to break something near a friendly port than during the journey.

For basic equipment I would make sure the compass is sound, the depth sounder and VHF works, and you have a handheld GPS/chartplotter. Get the paper charts and the appropriate guide (Ports book). Make sure you carry a radar reflector (I assume this boat won't have radar). Fog is always a possibility on the Great Lakes.

Having additional crew is always a good idea, even for a day sail, but if that is not possible, then this is certainly a journey doable by a solo sailor. Hiring a captain seems unnecessary to me, but that's certainly an option. The key for me would be to go slow. Plan some reasonable hops, but have no schedule. Be wise to the weather, and keep an eye out for other traffic, especially freighters. They move very fast.

A Pearson 28 has a reputation of being a good, solid boat. Assuming this one is in decent shape, it should have no trouble handling this journey (I'm assuming the journey is planned for June-August). The OP is a novice, but not without experience having raced on other boats, and done the Port Huron Mackinaw race. It's certainly a doable trip.

Enjoy the journey. I've never sailed this stretch, but am well acquainted with Georgian Bay, the North Channel and Lake Superior. The Great Lakes offer some of the best cruising anywhere. Enjoy it.
 
#17 ·
Let us review the OP's qualifications:

" I have crewed on a Hunter 34 on a Port Huron Mac race and done a couple seasons of club racing as crew. I owned a 18' hunter for a few years. Pretty book smart and all that, just not alot of experience driving my own boat. "

His training wheels are off, he knows his way around a boat or two. His IQ is more than his body temperature, I sense he lacks confidence. Pretty sure no one said to hop in the boat and go. We all suggested he checks the boat out, whether that means
a day jaunt or professionally inspected is left to the OP's judgement, most suggested tow insurance, charts and weather checks. Having a more experienced person on board is akin to having training wheels, IMHO. Its not his first time on a boat.
 
#33 ·
I don't know if this trip has happened yet, but I will chime in and say you should have another hand on board for this trip. It sounds like challenging waters in a new to you and unknown older boat. Even if you have more experience I would suggest crew for this trip.

Let us review the OP's qualifications:

" I have crewed on a Hunter 34 on a Port Huron Mac race and done a couple seasons of club racing as crew. I owned a 18' hunter for a few years. Pretty book smart and all that, just not alot of experience driving my own boat. "
Crewing on a race boat is no way a good qualification for really sailing a boat. This is not to say people racing sailboats are incompetent but being a bowman, on the mast or in the cockpit does not teach you a thing about the overall skills it takes to sail a boat. I actively race and am often amazed at how little some of the excellent crew know about the boat outside their position. Neither does sailing an 18 foot outboard driven tiller boat even solo teach you to handle a inboard powered keelboat.

If you are going to do it solo you should spend a few days sailing with the previous owner onboard "single handing" while he watches. It would be much better realizing what skills you lack with someone else onboard rather than enroute solo.
 
#19 ·
I feel completely confident that I could single hand that boat for a 100 mile trip, but would never jump in the day I bought her and do so. I would shake it down first, as something is hiding somewhere. Its the law of boating.

I'm guessing the OP's inexperience is more an issue with knowing what to look for and how to identify improper workmanship, rather than how to physically sail a boat. They are very different skills and both required for a passage, especially a single-handed one.

Columbus, Magellan, Shackleton or Cook were all fully prepared on both accounts.

I'm sure the OP can make this trip. They just need to take it a step at at time and not launch into the fog.
 
#20 · (Edited)
A year and a half ago, in November, 2011, I jumped on my new-to-me '77 Pearson 28 and sailed it down the Chesapeake Bay solo, during a small craft advisory, from just north of Annapolis to Coan River on the Potomac, about 50 n.m., with an overnight in Solomon's Island, which I entered in the dark several hours after the sun set at Cedar Point, followed by a nice sail to the Potomac the next day.

I thought about taking crew, and even put a Crew Listing post on Sailnet, but didn't. After completing the trip, I later realized that it was somewhat risky to sail at night, solo, with the cold water of November, on a new-to-me boat, with no harness.

Fortunately, there were no surprises. It was a cold but exciting adventure. I wish you well.
 
#22 ·
That is a route that has wrecked many a boat captained and crewed by able and knowledgeable sailors. The Straights of Mackinac are not to be taken lightly. Hire a captain and treat it as a training exercise.:)

Another option is to ship it, even with stepping the mast and travel lift fees you could probably get it moved for under $1500.00. As an example it cost me $700.00 to ship my M27 150 miles in Michigan a couple years ago.
 
#24 ·
You guys are not doing your homework...!!! The distance the OP is calling 100 miles is in fact OVER 200 MILES. Go to Active Captain or look at the charts. Check out the reefs and shallow water in Saginaw Bay, the 250 mile fetch of Lake Huron with a north wind, the rock reef at Point Au Barques, the St. Clair River which is one of the busiest commercial shipping channels in the country with ships from all over the world, 1,000' long Great Lakes Freighters, ferry boats, tugs and barges, fishing boats, etc.

Like I said before, I have made this trip many times, and I would not want to do it solo!
 
#25 ·
I'd do it myself. I wouldn't take anyone along.
It's like any new toy, I want to sit down pull the wrapping off myself, quietly read the instructions and put it together... All by myself.

I feel I learn more, learn at my own pace, and don't feel like a dork in front of someone else.

Then off I'd putter on the motor, till I get too excited and have to start playing with the sails etc.
I'd probably have intentions to make them short days... But prolly wouldn't anchor till near dark.
Also prolly make a few mistakes, but I'm alone on my boat and I'll make whatever mistakes i want :)

So my advice is to go play with your own new toy yourself. You will learn more and have much much more fun! :D


Mark
PS If you sink it's only a river, you can swim ashore.
PPS in case you don't sink take a bottle of wine or a few beers to have one night along the way!
 
#26 ·
I purchased my 1976 Pearson 28 in Houston and after a few days doing repairs and checkouts, sailed it solo to Corpus Christi via the ICW. I don't know your waters, but if you decide to motor all the way and have a P28-1 then you are going to be on the tiller the entire distance unless you have an autopilot or are gifted with the tiller tamer. I had to manage a narrow water way with heavy barge traffic, swing bridges, and locks, as well as open bays. I spent two nights on the hook and one in a marina. I had charts, depth, log, vhf and hand held gps. And I sailed most of the way, even in the ICW, even while passing barges. You now have two P28 owners telling you how they did it, so you know it can be done.
Good luck with whatever you decide and enjoy your boat. It is robust and simple. Unless it has been heavily modified you should be able to handle it well with great ease.
By the way, the helm balances nicely when the sails are eased and you won't have to be a slave to the tiller if you sail.
John
 
#27 ·
take some time to learn the boat and make sure it works OK. You can make it yourself if you watch the weather, but it would be more fun with a partner and when the stuff hits the fan you have someone to help.

If you take katsailor and go through the dreaded straits of Mackinac you are going the WRONG WAY! Plan on 4 days of travel and if you arrive early great.

Good Luck
 
#28 ·
Fill everything, fuel, water, FRIDGE. drop the mooring lines and go. If you do feel the need to have a friend along then enjoy their company. But my choice would be to go it alone, It will be a great way to get to know your new girl and yourself.
 
#29 · (Edited)
Done the trip a couple of time from the strights down to lake erie , only problem in the st clare river is a spot that opens up wide & if you dont follow the channel markers you end up on the rocks in the middle. You are probably better off with atleast one other person on board. If the boat is set up for single handed one person could do it (why motor its a sailboat).
check your private messages
 
#30 · (Edited)
1. It's not 100 miles from Bay City to Lake St Clair-- it's almost twice that if you have no upwind work.
2. Don't use this as your shakedown cruise. Use the boat a few days to make sure everything works. There's a 2-4 knot current in the St Clair River with a lot of freighter traffic. You need to know your engine is reliable and be comfortable handling an emergency (ie, your engine dies, the current is carrying you at 3 knots-- where's the anchor, does it work, where's the nearest marina for repairs?)
3. You won't do any sailing once you enter the St Clair River. You might keep your main up for the appearance of motor sailing, but for the most part it's a waste of time- you'll just flog the main and risk gybing at just the wrong moment.
4. Fine to do it yourself once you're used to the boat-- I do the trip every few years. Until then, have another set of eyes and hands.
5. I would recommend not being on the river after dark. The freighters know where they're going and they go fast. Plan your trip so you enter and leave the river during daylight (easy to do- you'll do 7+ knots with the current going down the river. Stay in Port Huron or Sarnia for the night and leave the next morning).
6. Study the charts ahead of time and know your waypoints. The river can be confusing the first time.
7. There aren't a lot of good harbors down the west coast of Lake Huron south of Saginaw Bay. Harbor Beach is probably the best. That means if the sh!t hits the fan, you don't have a lot of bail-out points. All the more reason to make sure your boat is in good operating condition before heading off on this trip.
Despite all the above, go for it once you're sure the boat is in good working order. It's a nice trip.
 
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