A probably stupid engine question

[Linda]

I have a 26' CD sailboat, with a 9.9 Honda 4-stroke in the "well".
I would like to take my boat through Woods Hole passage, without fear.
If you know Cape Cod, you will understand my fear. The passage is very tricky, and has a swift current, with lots of traffic and powerboaters (eek). Anyway, it's the best route to Martha's Vineyard and other favored cruising destinations, which are places I long to travel to with my sailboat (been thru the Hole with a powerboat many times).My dilemma: do I chance it, with a fair tide, or am I crazed to consider converting to diesel power? Has anyone done this? what do you all think? Thanks for your valued input. Linda



CD26LA@aol.com

[fong]

Have been through with a cape dory 25 and a 12 hp outboard. No
problems. Also went through cape cod canal.

I have a 26' CD sailboat, with a 9.9 Honda 4-stroke in the "well".
I would like to take my boat through Woods Hole passage, without fear.
If you know Cape Cod, you will understand my fear. The passage is very tricky, and has a swift current, with lots of traffic and powerboaters (eek). Anyway, it's the best route to Martha's Vineyard and other favored cruising destinations, which are places I long to travel to with my sailboat (been thru the Hole with a powerboat many times).My dilemma: do I chance it, with a fair tide, or am I crazed to consider converting to diesel power? Has anyone done this? what do you all think? Thanks for your valued input. Linda

[Al Levesque]

We went through Woods Hole with our previous CD25 with a 6hp outboard at a time when the current was at its peak against us. We had started with the mainsail and the outboard at full speed and found that we were losing ground. We were especially worried because under those conditions we were in danger of getting "run over" by (falling back on) the channel markers. We raised our genoa and trimmed sails as well as possible and then slowly made headway. We were always careful after that to get a more favorable current.

The best way to judge is to know what speed you can do through the water and what speed the current is at. The more excess speed you have over the current, the better the level of control.

Al



albertlevesque@cove.com

[Chris Reinke]

Linda - I have never made the run through Woods Hole on my CD330, but I have made it on my 19' O'Day Daysailer. I have a 15 year old Evinrude and it got us through without any problem. I would strongly suggest you consult Eldridge and ascertain the most favorable time to make your run. If timed correctly the passage is relatively easy.

I have a 26' CD sailboat, with a 9.9 Honda 4-stroke in the "well".
I would like to take my boat through Woods Hole passage, without fear.
If you know Cape Cod, you will understand my fear. The passage is very tricky, and has a swift current, with lots of traffic and powerboaters (eek). Anyway, it's the best route to Martha's Vineyard and other favored cruising destinations, which are places I long to travel to with my sailboat (been thru the Hole with a powerboat many times).My dilemma: do I chance it, with a fair tide, or am I crazed to consider converting to diesel power? Has anyone done this? what do you all think? Thanks for your valued input. Linda

[Neil Gordon]

Best is to time your passage for slack tide. I agree with Chris... check the current tables and time your trip accordingly. You don't want to go against the current, but you probably don't want to be in a six knot fair current, either, since the current doesn't always follow the channel.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com