CD25 sailing to Virgin Isles?

[Scott MacCready]

I work at times on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Isles. I'm curious what those of you experienced with the CD25 think of her ability to sail there; what enhancments she's need,... thanks



smaccready@hotmail.com

[john doyle]

I work at times on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Isles. I'm curious what those of you experienced with the CD25 think of her ability to sail there; what enhancments she's need,... thanks

LOTS OF GROG. Seriously though, I knew a guy when I lived in W.Palm Beach that sailed a TY to Bermuda from there. Go for it
John



john.doyle@kmctelecom.com

[Will W.]

Ambitious? You bet! Do I think You can do it in a 25? Probably. My 25 would need a sustantial amout of outfitting and upgrading before I would try it though. If your boat is anything like mine it would need some time and money to make the boat offshore worthy to the point that I would feel comfortable. It would be nice to be in the islands so it could be worth it. Have Fun

Will Wheatley
Suzi Q
CD25

I work at times on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Isles. I'm curious what those of you experienced with the CD25 think of her ability to sail there; what enhancments she's need,... thanks

willwheatley@starpower.net

[Mark Yashinsky]

You are not the first. Last March, was doing a bareboat in BVI, and saw, if I remember correctly, a CD25 pass us (the other direction) one day. Was w/ the Goldsmith's (Second Chance) and their eldest son was the first to see it and identify. William, can you confirm???

[Warren Kaplan]

I work at times on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Isles. I'm curious what those of you experienced with the CD25 think of her ability to sail there; what enhancments she's need,... thanks

LOTS OF GROG. Seriously though, I knew a guy when I lived in W.Palm Beach that sailed a TY to Bermuda from there. Go for it
John

Along those lines....back in the early 1970s my first boat was an Alberg designed Sea Sprite 23. A great boat and as you might expect, my ear was tuned to anything that had to do with that model. Some chap picked up and sailed his SS 23 from Rhode Island to the England. Took him 60 days but nevertheless he did it. The point is that Alberg designed his boats to be very seaworthy. I think its fair to say that was his primary concern. So although the CD25 may not have all the "creature comforts" it sure ought to be able to handle trade wind sailing.

Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27



Setsail728@aol.com

[Bill]

If my memory serves correctly the only major "crossings" you have are the Gulf Stream and the Mona Passage (assuming you are going the "Thornless Path". I dont have the book here). Wouldnt the rest be Island hopping? If you have good weather windows for these two crossings I (with very limited sea experience) would think the boat could handle it. Can you be comfortable once the boat has been "enhanced"? I would certainly think the boat (once prepared) could handle the voyage (if sailed prudently) if the crew could... MTCW!

FW

Bill
Captain Commanding
S/V Rhapsody (the Original)
CD25D #148
Oklahoma contingent to the NE Fleet

I work at times on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Isles. I'm curious what those of you experienced with the CD25 think of her ability to sail there; what enhancments she's need,... thanks

cd25d@rhapsodysails.com

[Bill Goldsmith]

We were in the middle of Sir Francis Drake Channel and my 11-year old sone spied a Cape Dory 25D about 1 mile south of Roadtown, Tortola. I have to believe that the 25D got there on its own hull and was not shipped via freighter. Will never really know.......

You are not the first. Last March, was doing a bareboat in BVI, and saw, if I remember correctly, a CD25 pass us (the other direction) one day. Was w/ the Goldsmith's (Second Chance) and their eldest son was the first to see it and identify. William, can you confirm???

goldy@bestweb.net

[Bill Goldsmith]

There's no question she could make it, these boats are designed for that. (Although the 25 is not an Alberg design, it shares many attributes of seaworthiness, not the least being the Cape Dory construction quality). It is perhaps more difficult to outfit that size a boat for such a voyage than a larger boat, because you are faced with a series of trade-offs and compromises that a larger yacht would accommodate. For instance, one of the perennial issues for offshore work is fresh water storage. You'd have to consider a way to outfit the boat with enough tankage, either permanent or otherwise, to provide you with enough drinking water. The same applies to food storage. You'll want to consider self steering gear. You should consider SSB radio and weatherfax, all of which is expensive and puts demands on space down below. (Although Francis Chichester didn't have SSB or weatherfax.) You'll also need tools and backup emergency rigging supplies to fix problems--you'll be on your own out there. All of this puts greater demands on space in a 25 than it would on, say, a 33 or 36.

I recall an issue of Cruising World within the past year or two with an article on the West Marine 1500 race from the East Coast to Virgin Gorda, BVI. In that article they discussed getting knocked around pretty badly by the remnants of Mitch after the hurricane made an unexpected turn to the Northeast. One of the comments in the article was that "maybe bigger is better after all" because the larger yachts were able to outrun the storm and weather it in port in Bermuda while others either turned back or got smacked around at sea.

There are books out there about fitting out for offshore work. I suspect, as I've said, that the main issues will be trade-offs, keeping the boat from being overloaded. Good weather prediction ability would be the key to minimize the chance of getting knocked around.

I think John Churchill sailed his CD26 to Bermuda. Is that correct? Maybe he could shed more light on all this.

All the best,

Bill Goldsmith
CD27#173
Second Chance

I work at times on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Isles. I'm curious what those of you experienced with the CD25 think of her ability to sail there; what enhancments she's need,... thanks

goldy@bestweb.net

[Kurt]

I wholeheartedly suggest you read "My Old Man and The Sea" if you want to learn about offshore sailing in a 25' well built sloop...one of the best books on sailing I've ever read. Written by the father and son team of David Hays and Daniel Hays



kjlgpw@aol.com

[Leo MacDonald]

Warren,
Sorry Buddy, but close, real close.
F/W, Leo



macdoreNOSPAM@aol.com

[Leo MacDonald]

Scott,

Did you think someone may say no )

One of our CD B/Board links, I think to the Alberg group, has a mention of a CD25 sailing to England, maybe give this a quick read.

I think space will be a premium, but doable - enjoy!

Fair Winds,
Leo



macdoreNOSPAM@aol.com

[Warren Kaplan]

Warren,
Sorry Buddy, but close, real close.
F/W, Leo

AW! And I thought I was perfect. Oh well. I'm sure the boat sails like an Alberg design!

Warren



Setsail728@aol.com

[zeida]

Other than the food and water supplies, The hose that goes from your cockpit whalegusher pump back towards the stern thruhull MUST be checked carefully. Make sure you put in a new one, double-clamp it on both ends. That hose tends to become loose at the back end and water will swamp your boat with no previous warning. Also, if you have plastic thruhulls, change them to the original bronze, make sure they are perfectly bonded and no leaks into your hull from any of them. If possible, check all your stays and shrouds to make sure they will not break under way ...(norseman swage fittings recommended for all of those)Other than that, a rollerfurler and an autopilot -to give you a break once in a while- will be tremendous help. The boat can make the trip. Be sure you sail during a good weather window. A good GPS, a back-up GPS, flashlights and enough batteries for them, good charts. On my CD25, I had 6-gal gas tanks on both sides of the outboard in the lazarette and carried two more upright plastic containers inside. IF you are a careful sailor you can do it! good luck>



zcecil@attglobal.net

[Leo MacDonald]

Warren,
I believe you are correct, well suited to be a CD.

Don,
Care to elaborate?

Fair Winds,
Leo

[Larry DeMers]

I think the bigger concern is you and your experience... with sailing in general, and with the boat in question in particular.

I would suggest spending a summer or two with the boat and living aboard say for a month or two, then cruising say down to Florida, if you are located up the east coast..or around the Tortugas, and get some miles under you **first**. this is critical..of anyone and everyone, before they depend life and soul on a strange vessel like that..despite it's heritage.

In addition, it will take you time to outfit the boat as you will need it outfitted, find the boats weak points and repair these, and to try out the gear, become proficient at using the equipment, managing your batteries, using your stowage space efficiently so that you can actually make a passage, and a miriad of other things. In short..experience in the boat of choice.

I talk from some experiece. We had a guy in our old marina, owned a Ranger 32 I believe, decided in September that he wanted to divorce his wife, and sail off to 'The Carribean'. This guy up til now, was a marina sailor mostly, rarely taking the Ranger out for more than an occasional day sail as the wife and he were not talking. So he took on 4 stout lads from Minneapolis, all about 19-23 and eager for the challenge..but none were ever before on the boat but one. They put together some rudimentary supplies..and their bathing suits and finally took leave of Lake Superior in the first week of October.
Now, I suspect that these folks had never listened to Gordon Lightfoots music before..pity that.
So they departed in the morning one day, blowing a bit out..15-25kts. and 3-5 fters..absolutely normal for the lake all summer long, every day. They got out about an hour or so, and the young-uns down below keeping warm, were gradually succuming to seasickness..then they decided to put on their scope patches..which of course don't work after the fact. So they got progressively more sick, and the two folks with any sailing experience at all were outside in the cold wind, and moderate seas, telling each other that they were battling huge seas! Well, the wind was such that they could not make the nearest point of land, dead ahead, forcing them to turn on the engine, as they could not tack with just the full main they had up (no clue, these guys). Somehow, the sheet tail got in the prop, stopping the engine. The guys down below were making a mess of the floor and settee, and things were going badly..less than 20 miles from the marina.

The boat continued on of course, and now the skipper and mate were getting seasick and there must have been some confusion involved too, as they never did comlete the tack, getting off shore. They continued on with the tiller tied off and full main up only, until someone came up to barf, and saw that they were about 50 ft. off shore, and hollered for someone to come up. Again the engine was out, and the boat would not tack, so they figured their fate was cast..and steered the boat onto the beach.

They stepped ashore, all ok..and attracted the press from a nearby town. They got some coverage about their exploits. Total time onboard? Well, they made good 40 miles total..so perhaps 8 hours..heck they were home for dinner. heh..

Just an example of more enthusiasm than experience. Get one before succombing to the other would be my advice.

Cheers, and keep your dream alive! It's a dandy.

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 Lake Superior

I work at times on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Isles. I'm curious what those of you experienced with the CD25 think of her ability to sail there; what enhancments she's need,... thanks

demers@sgi.com