Cruising Goals

Joe CD MS 300 · Post by **Joe CD MS 300** » Nov 21st, '06, 20:24

Reading Fred's accounts of his travels on Fenix got me thinking (dreaming) about future cruises. My plans are much less ambitious than Fred's voyage. I'd be happy just to take a summer off and do the whole coast of Maine. Schoodic Point is the farthest down east I have made it. This summer I'd like to get to Roque Island if I get the time.

Joe

Neil Gordon · Post by **Neil Gordon** » Nov 21st, '06, 20:45

Fred has us all thinking. I'm pondering more single handed cruising next year. Boston to Provincetown (about 50 miles, across Cape Cod Bay) might be fun. I'll pull the charts out as soon as the snow flies here.

chase · Post by **chase** » Nov 22nd, '06, 14:12

Late last night I stared at the large world map and thought about my adventures for the coming 5 years.

I think I'll continue to run up and down the coastal Carolinas, wintering in SC, GA and Bahamas, depending on how far south I get each year. Then north in the summer as far as Chesapeake and hole up somewhere inland like New Bern, NC as I was this year for Hurricane season. Does that make me a snowbird? I thought you had to be retired to do that….

After that, I'd like to head farther south into the Caribbean and visit St. John, Dominica, and Cuba. My children will be transitioning into adulthood in ten years, when I'll start doing bigger trips, namely north to Nova Scotia and across to Europe and the aforementioned Caribbean trip.

I've stopped thinking about a long trip while the kids are younger. I just feel like it would take an awful big boat for us to be happy long term and I'll not be able to afford that unless I were to sell my home -- and that aint gonna happen. Nor do I want to keep up with a 40 foot boat's maintenance -- yet. Combine that with the stability of great schools and a tight community and I think less and less about being a cruising family. We will have plenty fun for 1-2 weeks at a time here in the N. Atlantic and Caribbean and see where it goes from there.

One thing I do know, I'm in no hurry to get in over my head....I have no gills. Conversely, if I stop cruising for weeks each year I'm selling my boat.

Finishing the Corn Harvest, thinking about Oyster Harvest,

Chase

Dick Barthel · Post by **Dick Barthel** » Nov 24th, '06, 10:21

My 5 year plan is to extend my single handing horizons. One of my favorite books is the Coast of Summer by Anthony Bailey. He was an Englishman who came to the US in the summers and sailed out of Stonington, CT. My boat is moored in the Mystic River just a few miles to the West.

I would like to build up my confidence this coming summer and when I retire (end of next year?) duplicate his summer cruise which he describes so wonderfully in his book which included - Shelter Island, Gardiner's Island, Block Island, Prudence, the Elizabeths, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. I've been well into Long Island Sound many times alone but Mr. Bailey's trip is more ocean oriented with numerous runs in open water.

Bailey's itinerary is a day sail for Fred but scares the hell out of me. I started serious sailing only 4 years ago by making an off shore trip with the venerable Captain Mike and I've done some single handing up into Long Island Sound since then. So 2007 will be about building my solo confidence.

After doing Bailey's cruise, my next goal as a single hander is to cruise all the way up to NYC via the LI Sound and then do a circumnavigation of Long Island on the ocean side. But I won't consider it a failure if I decide to take a mate for that leg of the trip.

What I like about the whole thing is that even near 60 you can learn a lot and also push your personal horizons which I think is what its all about. I love to sail and learn with experienced skippers and just through this board I have met and sailed with Rit, Leo, Clay, and Neil to be specific. I've also sailed with Steve Laume who is a relative newcomer but he's a quick learner and has a lot of moxy (certainly more than I).

Add that to the knowledge you gain from this board and I feel pretty good about how far I've come in just four years. With the good Lord willing, I hope to be sailing and learning well into my 70s.

I have also been constantly upgrading Dream Weaver with all of these thoughts in mind. Because she's a Cape Dory, she will no doubt outlast me, but that's okay.

Dick

Clay Stalker · Post by **Clay Stalker** » Nov 24th, '06, 19:09

Because you are such good company and a decent sailor to boot, your experiences are sure to continue. I have enjoyed our little voyages immensely, and look forward to more!

Clay Stalker

Paul Grecay · Post by **Paul Grecay** » Nov 26th, '06, 06:12

Dick, You will have absolutely no trouble cruising to the places you list in your posting. A couple of years ago I sailed up the coast of NJ to NY harbor...through Hell Gate and up the CT coast. It was a wonderful trip. I continued to Block Is. from Mystic arriving at Salt Pond at dusk. I then continued on to Narragansett Bay and stopped in Potter Cove and visited Prudence, Patience, and Hope Island. I stopped for awhile in Warren, RI and then eventually returned home. I will go again this summer but this time I will extend my trip to Martha's Vineyard and perhaps Provincetown. I will sail directly from Lewes, Delaware (where I live) to Block Island. You will have no trouble making similar trips in your CD25D...these little pocket cruisers are great for us single handers...they go anywhere. If you don't have one, you should get an epirb...it reassuring to have on board although it will probably never be necessary to use. Also, a couple of gps units and charts are a must. Harness and tethers are important because if you are alone, you don't want to go overboard! Make sure your diesel is dependable and just do it. Hey, maybe when I make it up your way again, we could rendezvous! Don't hesitate to do some cruising and don't be afraid. I gained most of my seamanship experience in Long Island Sound working on a schooner out of New Haven in '76-'78...it can kick up very nasty in a short time....the chop can be very steep in the sound, but these boats can handle it and there are many places to seek refuge. For me, cruising the CT coast is like a trip down memory lane. The ocean run between Mystic and block is very different...you will love it. I intend to keep sailing for a long time.....and expand my trips...I hope you do the same!
Paul

Dick Barthel · Post by **Dick Barthel** » Nov 26th, '06, 07:47

Paul,

Thanks for the nice note and encouragement. I am pumped up for it and will really start "spreading my wings" (of dacron) this summer. By all means look me up the next time you plan to come to CT.

Dick

Sailing Soldier · Post by **Sailing Soldier** » Nov 26th, '06, 10:38

I spent the summer of 2006 on Greenwich & Narragansett Bays. I never got bored once.

But I am interested in poking my head out of the bay & into the Atlantic next summer. My cruising plans include Block Island, Cuttyhunk, and possibly Long Island and/or NYC.

That's about all I have the time for until I retire in 6 years.

I'm afraid my job gets in the way of hobby!

Capt John
CD 28 "Liberty"
Rhode Island

Tod Mills · Post by **Tod Mills** » Nov 26th, '06, 18:46

in the North Channel of Lake Huron, cruising in this kind of setting:

<img width=540 src=http://www.todspages.net/images/NC04a12 ... onCove.jpg>

<img width=540 src=http://www.todspages.net/images/NC04a13 ... lands2.jpg>

<img width=540 src=http://www.todspages.net/images/NC04c03-Wview.jpg>

<img width=540 src=http://www.todspages.net/images/NC04c16-DistantSail.jpg>

....as well as getting in more time on my home waters on Lake Erie. Saw this sunrise one morning after sailing all night out to the east of Pelee Island:

<img width=540 src=http://www.todspages.net/images/LF-LEpredawn.jpg>

<img width=540 src=http://www.todspages.net/images/LF-LEsunrise.jpg>

Dick Barthel · Post by **Dick Barthel** » Nov 26th, '06, 20:32

Tod,

You take such wonderful pics. That sunrise captured after a night of sailing is breathtaking.

How's your project boat coming?

Dick

Tod Mills · Post by **Tod Mills** » Nov 26th, '06, 22:45

From the little I saw of it this past fall, you sure have some great sailing grounds in that part of the world, not to mention the fine sailing just a few miles up the coast from you along the Maine coast.

I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures.

My project boat is going VERY slowly. I built a cradle and separated the external lead ballast keel this fall (leaky). No doubt, if I didn't have my little boat to distract me I'd be further along.

The Cape Dory Board

Cruising Goals

Cruising Goals

We all are

5 year plan

It Will Continue For You

Go for it!

Nice Note

Summer 2007 Plans

I'm hoping to spend two weeks....

Beautiful

Dick, your tour sounds fantastic.