These are just my opinions based on my experience. Some of it is personal preference. Some of it is physics. Boats with higher SA/D ration can keep sailing because they have more power so they can drive forward against steep waves and high wind loads. Except that their rigs and construction to make them light can be compromised by the shock loading. Often lighter boats have flatter hulls, especially aft, and less pronounced dead-rise so they pound. Thus more shock loading. Lighter boats tend to have less robust construction of the rudder. The rigs are lighter. This is not to say all lighter boats are less seaworthy. The POGO series of boats cross oceans but they are very light but the lack of comfort aboard must be awful. However they seem to do OK.fritz3000g wrote:Thanks John for the great feedback, both on sailing offshore and on how to plan for the Caribbean!
I realize the point you're making is largely that beating upwind into offshore gales is a bad deal in all boats, but I'm also curious why you describe boat length as the key feature when determining whether you'd be willing to beat in waves in a given boat as opposed to, say, displacement or comfort ratio? I realize those things often go together, so given the overall thrust of your argument maybe this is besides the point. However, another poster brought it up earlier, so I'm curious. For example, would you prefer a 32 ft boat with 8k displacement over a 27 ft boat with 10k displacement?Sailing up wind in 25-30 knots on somewhat protected water and in the early phases of a blow is far different then trying the same thing 1000 miles offshore when the wind has had 24-48 hours to shape the seas. You're talking 10-14' waves. You won't be sailing up wind like that for long on anything under 40'-45'... not unless you are forced to do so.
I have close reached for several days in 25-35 kts and it was not fun. To sail upwind in those conditions your talking 45' boat minimum and it's still not fun.
I'm also assuming that wave period would also be a factor, though since we're talking offshore I'm assuming we're talking about longer-period waves. Given that you're camping on Lake Superior, I wonder if you know the Lakes and would be in a position to compare short-period lake waves to longer-period offshore waves? I've beat into 6' lake waves with 30 kts wind, and wonder how it would feel to beat into longer-period ocean waves.
Lighter boats do tend to foot off to reduce pounding and shock loading. They can be fast sailed that way.
The challenge with light boats and especially boats under 12,000 lbs displacement is they struggle to carry all the stuff you want to have out cruising. Their pounds per inch immersion factor is lower than than heavier displacement boat. Two people can usually carry what they need on a boat around 12,000 lbs without affecting its performance much.
Todays sailors tend to carry more convenience oriented systems aboard these days so bigger boats are becoming more common. You are not going to carry much on a 10,000lb boat.
Self steering wind vane, auto pilot, dinghy, outboard, life raft (I don't carry one), heavy and light air sails, ground tackle (I carry four anchors), extra lines, radio equipment (we only carry hand helds) refrigeration (we don't have any...yet) bigger battery bank, solar panels, food, water spares, tools, snorkel gear, sun awnings, a dodger, personal gear etc etc.
My boat fully loaded is about 17,500--so we carry about 2000lbs of "stuff." I would guess most modern boats with a couple aboard will often carry 4,000lbs of stuff) We have few systems. Until recently we sailed without an inboard. engine. I feel like we have loads of room and live in luxury. We have also had four aboard, my twins (now in college) for a season sailing in the Caribbean.
The legendary and experienced John Guzzwell circumnavigated on a 20' sailboat called Trekka (a great book by the way). Trekka is a beautiful Laurent Giles designed micro cruising boat. She is still afloat and sailing. Anyway, he lived a pretty Spartan life and the condition under sail were tough to put it mildly. I met American couples sailing in the Caribbean on 45-50 foot boats. They had to have every convenience and as many luxuries as they could afford.
You just have to figure out how you want to sail and live aboard.
And to answer your question I'd take the 10,000 lb boat any day. But that's just me. There was a time when I would sail a Triton 28 on an ocean passage singlehanded. Very small for two. Now I think a CD 30 or Alberg 30 would be the minimum for me. Steve Laume and Jim W have it about right singlehanding I think.
I've yammered long enough.
