Sailing across the Atlantic

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How big of a sail boat would be required to cross the atlantic or sail down the coast of the Atlantic from Chesapeake to Bahamas? Just started thinking about it. Have any of you guys ever done this?

 

[tommays]

Re: Sailing across the Atlantic

Quality will be a MUCH bigger issue than size as people have done it in tiny boats


My friend Ralph Did a circumnavigation in a Ericson 40' (more or less a bit) BUT he really ,really knew what he was doing




Tommays

 

[reload]

Re: Sailing across the Atlantic

I would consider a 40 foot sail boat large. I have thinking about this lately and think I would like to do this in a year or so. Trouble is I have never sailed. The reason I am thinking sailing is because of the price of fuel. How long do you think it would take or how fast does a sail boat travel.

 

[tommays]

Re: Sailing across the Atlantic

Your starting out with way to BIG , gotta work your way up

The best way to learn is to find were sailboats race in your area and work your way onto a crew


A few of long races in 50 knot winds with seas to match will give you idea what your gonna hit on a big trip



Tommays

 

[tommays]

Re: Sailing across the Atlantic

Lessons learned from the attempted May crossing of the Atlantic


http://artseaprovence.blogharbor.com/blog/_archives/2007/7/30/3125662.html






Tommays

 

[Solittle]

Re: Sailing across the Atlantic

For more real world blue water experiences go here:

http://www.wbutler.com/

 

[ImASonOfaSailor]

Re: Sailing across the Atlantic

I would not try crossing the Atlantic if you do not know how to sail! You need years of experience and a crew! If you know of anyone that can go with you that have experience sailing then I would see if they can come with you! You have to think how long would it take to do this? Why would you want to do this, and have you thought of the weather, there are bad storms that form out there! What about food how will you keep enough on board for as long as your going to be out there with the sharks!

SPEED:
A nice size boat like a 47.5 Hunter in a nice breeze like 25 knots could do 12 knots or a little higher if you know how to sail, That is almost 15 mile an hour!

You would need a 70 foot Trimaran that can do 40 knots and above that would be close to 50 miles an hour or more!

I personally would not cross the Atlantic because of all or the risks that are there! I say do not F_ _ _ _ Mother nature! Unless your ready for what ever comes your way!

 

[reload]

Re: Sailing across the Atlantic

Well I have five tumors growing in kidney lung and liver. I am ready for what ever. I just don't know how long I have to do it. I think the learning curve is out.

Dying at sea seems as good as any to me. I thought of going on a bear hunt and being bear food, but fish food sounds more appealing.

 

[tommays]

Re: Sailing across the Atlantic

sorry to hear about your health BUT dying at sea will generaly put other peoples lifes in danger


I would thing at this point you would just hire a chartered sailboat and enjoy some trips while your health still allows





Tommays

 

[reload]

Re: Sailing across the Atlantic

Yea I figured I would try the trip alone. I don't have a death wish and I have done most anything I had a mind to my whole life. I was just trying to come up with something exciting as a last experience.

 

[pgdignan]

Re: Sailing across the Atlantic

I sailed from Boston to Washington D.C. on a ratty old Catalina 27. The boat really doesn't matter all that much, Tanya Ayebe sailed a 26' Contessa single handedly around the world. If you were to pick up a 12 meter boat you could probably make the crossing in relative comfort (and with some degree of safety.) As for speed, sailboats are limited to the displacement speed of the boat measured by the length of the waterline. I can try to dig up the equation for you but real world numbers would be a full displacement speed on the Catalina came to something like 6+ knots, real world I was lucky to get around 5 knots. In a 36' sail boat in decent trim you'd probably do around 7 knots. Best of luck on your travels.

P.S. heading south to the Carribean isn't that difficult a sail and can be broken into day long trips if you have the time.

 

[sxm_tj]

Re: Sailing across the Atlantic

im reading a book about a buy who did it in a 5.6 meter waarschip 560, small little wooden boat, no comfort at all, but he made it but this is a guy with lots of sailing/ navigation skills.

size doesnt matter only for comfort and a smaller boat is a bit less safe and you cant make as much mistakes as with a big boat.

the most important thing is to have a seaworhy boat and build some skills
greetz