|
|
From: Baumgart, James (no email)
Date: Fri Feb 06 2004 - 12:13:34 EST
Sailing around the world by a west about tradewind route is a big
undertaking. But you mention Cape Horn. That is a massive undertaking. A
very different boat, rigging, and equipment is needed for "high lattitude"
sailing. The fact that you are from the Channel Islands (southern CA) area
is good - start by sailing around Point Conception in the worst weather you
can find as often as possible. Are you going alone or with a significant
other or crew?
I'd strongly suggest you acquaint yourself with the books of Bernard
Moitessier, especially The Long Way, Cape Horn, The Logical Route, and A Sea
Vagabonds World. Of course, if you are going to go that far, you may as
well get his other books, Sailing to the Reefs, and Tamata and the Alliance.
Whatever you do, read Tamata and the Alliance LAST. Moitessier has rounded
all the great capes, multiple times, and gives very strong advice on how to
equip a modest boat for this area.
After you read those books, you may wish to reconsider. After all, a west
about trade wind passage is going to be adventure enough. If you must round
a great cape, perhaps take the Africa route and do the Cape of Good Hope
(avoid the Red Sea).
I have taken a year long cruise San Diego to the Bahamas and today solo sail
my 1978 Catalina 25 nearly every day. My feeling is that if I can work up
to sailing in storm conditions in my C25 I will have the experience to
handle a blue water sloop in really difficult condtions. Your experience
matters more than the vessel! Start small, go now, meet me this summer for
a Catalina Island circumnavigation and a day sail to Santa Barbara Island!
You can buy a C25 ready to go for $5K or rent a C250 for $100/day.
Although Moitessier will attempt to strongly sway you towards steel boats,
do not be so easily led. Fiberglass hulls are much less maintenance and you
will have a much bigger range of blue water capable vessels to select from.
However, if you must sail around the Horn, perhaps steel is a good choice.
You will spend more time at anchor than passage making and more time in
light air than storms. Make sure your boat is good for these conditions, as
well.
-JimB
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark
Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada.
http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511
http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/A1TolB/TM
---------------------------------------------------------------------~->
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/world-cruising/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
|