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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Sailing Down the East Coast!

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Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/27/2007 : 08:08:48

This Saturday I will be setting sail down the east coast, from Norfolk, VA all the way to Ft. Lauderdale, FL! I found a crew listing on another sailing website saying he was leaving Virginia this week. Well, I am being laid off this Thursday with our contract coming to an end. It’s the life of being a government contractor. I responded to the crew listing last Friday thinking why not, but I doubted it would work out. It turns out the timing is perfect. My job ends this Thursday, I will be driving down to Norfolk Friday, meet the captain and his crew and if all is well, set sail Saturday morning. So this will make a nice 1-2 week vacation in between jobs.

One of my goals has been to sail down the east coast, but I didn’t think it would happen for many years from now. I have wanted crew for someone on a trip like this, but wasn’t sure how I would ever be able to because of work. Well, timing is perfect right now. I will gain a lot of experience and will get a taste of what cruising is really like. I have dreamed about buying a larger boat for cruising longer distances, but I wanted to gain more experience beforehand.

Now the boat… I know we are all fans of Catalina Yachts and many people bash this brand I will be sailing on. The boat is a 2003 Hunter 420 Center Cockpit. I looked it up online and it looks very nice! The captain says it is in boat show condition and the boat is fully loaded with just about every amenity. I know they are not made for severe offshore sailing, but for coastal cruising, it appears they fit their purpose well. I’ll see how it is while sailing on it for 1-2 weeks.

We will be setting sail Saturday for a 150 mile offshore leg from Norfolk to Beaufort, NC. We’ll be sailing over night and taking shifts on watch. After that we will have a combination of ICW and offshore sailing, making stops for the nights. Some of the planned ports are Beaufort, NC., Charleston, SC., Savannah, GA., West Palm Beach Fl., to Ft Lauderdale, FL. We will wait for clear weather windows and will be taking out time. We may spend a day or two at some of the ports to tour around and enjoy the trip. Some of you sail in these areas? Anyone have any recommendations on places to see? The captain has made this trip many times, so he is very familiar with it all.

I will be taking many photos and videos of the trip and will post some if you all would like. Wish me luck!

Justin
Previous Owner of Sapphire Breeze - 1982 Catalina 25 SK/SR
My sail blog site: https://reveriesailing.com/

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2007 : 08:41:04

It sounds like perfect timing and a great trip! I'm thinking about making a similar trip in the fall for the first time, and would be especially interested in knowing the track you take to avoid the strongest currents of the Gulf Stream. Also, I'd be interested in knowing whether you use the engine to help you make southing between Norfolk and Beaufort. I'm looking forward to hearing all about it!

Have a great trip!

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2007 : 08:54:16

It is times like this when I feel particularly inadequate to be Commodore of this Association. A big sail for me is 6 hours on our lake. Good on you Justin.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2007 : 10:42:38

Sounds wonderful! Don't miss Cumberland Island at the south end of Georgia... (--if you have anything to say about it.)

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2007 : 12:18:55

What a great opportunity...I'm green with envy!

I hope the trip far exceeds all your expectations.

Edited by - on

Kip C
Navigator

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USA
243 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2007 : 13:53:18

Wow Justin! I think most sailors would love to experience what your about to.
Enjoy, and please take lots of pictures!

Fair Winds,

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2007 : 10:45:57

Way to go Justin...didn't I hear some where that when one door closes another opens...seems to be working for you. Lots of pictures and videos PLEASE.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT,#3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

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Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2007 : 10:54:45

Thanks everyone. I'll definitely post a lot of my pictures to share with you all.

Steve, Capt. Doug was telling me about his previous times making this passage and how once from Norfolk to Beaufort the water was so calm and was really amazing. He did have to motor a lot of the way though. He also mentioned that we won't be going too far out to make sure we avoid the gulf stream's strong currents. I'm curious as well as to what our track will be.

Dave, I'll ask about Cumberland Island. Like you said, I'm not sure how much say I'll have, but Doug said he wants to take his time and if we want to stay in a port for a day or two to tour around, he's fine with it. He wants it to be an enjoyable trip and just have a good time.

I haven't been this excited in a long time! Well, actually when I bought my C-25 just over a year ago I was very excited as well and I still love going out to my boat.

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2007 : 11:08:29

Cumberland Island, Fernandina and St. Augustine are all great places to RON and see the historic sites.
If you plan to stop in St. Augustine or Fernandina let us know and maybe could have lunch.

Edited by - on

esailor
Navigator

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USA
118 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2007 : 12:36:31

YOU DOG

Man What I wouldn't give to do that. Perfect timing indeed. Better to do this stuff now before you have a family, as then it can be very difficult. Lemmie tell you. Take your laptop, you are sure to find some hotspots to update us. I'll be eagerly awaiting your posts. I always enjoy reading your blogs. Have a blast and be safe.

Edited by - on

sdaly66
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2007 : 06:52:32

Best of luck Justin. Let us know when you get back. Capt. Dave and I want to hear all about it.

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2007 : 09:22:34

Justin,
If you stop in Daytona Beach give me a call 386-767-6201, I'll buy you lunch!

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2007 : 16:13:04

Too bad for us

that you're going down the coast and we're going up otherwise you could tow our C250 as your dingy

Go make history Justin...

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2007 : 08:22:55

I'm getting on the road now. I'll try to post some updates when I get a chance!

Edited by - on

Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2007 : 19:48:53

Got an e-mail update from Justin today:
They're moored in the Savannah area waiting out some weather. He posted some pictures here:
http://sports.webshots.com/album/558525817jFFvBV

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2007 : 20:15:00

Bet he's having a great time! Looks like they made a stop at Bald Head Island, good to see "old Baldy" light house again. Use to pass by it all the time during my shrimping days.

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DanM
Captain

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USA
256 Posts

Response Posted - 04/08/2007 : 19:28:04

We returned two days ago from condo on Fernandina Beach, FL. Had a great time on the shore and kayaked on St. George River.
As I look out my window at 6-12" snow (falling, still), I wondered if we chose the wrong 2 week time slot. Then I checked the weather that moved in after we left, "not too warm".
We spent a day in nearby Savannah and loved it.
Justin, if you have a chance, try to convince your skipper to put in to Fernandina Beach. It is a great protected port off the St Marys River and has a nice business district, still reflecting it's historical origins.
Hope you have fair winds and can connect with forum members along the way further south.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/11/2007 : 15:10:33

Hey, this is my territory......I'll be doing the trip (North) for the 6th time later this month.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I'm curious as well as to what our track will be.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

South I follow the 50 fathom contour.....it keeps you out of the Stream, in fact if you look on the "big" chart you'll see it often coincides with the approximate inner limit and you may experience favorable eddies....up to a knot or so. Stiil, the water is deep enough (300 feet) that you enjoy a swell instead of a chop.......too close in can be uncomfortable.

The stream is a huge river in the middle of the Ocean.....hot water, mixing with cold water and/or air...it makes it's own weather. It can be a heck of a sleigh ride (as much as 4 knots in your favor) or it can create a boiling nightmare. I've seen the first, got a little taste of the second.......If you want to know what the Stream is doing you look here:

http://fermi.jhuapl.edu/avhrr/gs_s/averages/07apr/gs_s_07apr01_0340_mult.png

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2007 : 11:05:54

Sorry I haven’t posted an update sooner. I had very limited Internet connectivity on the trip and have been very busy since I got home Thursday afternoon. Overall the trip was a great experience. I learned a lot about cruising and what it is really like living on a boat for two weeks and being offshore for several days at a time. It definitely wasn't all fun and relaxing, but I didn't expect that and still enjoyed most of it.

I'm still catching up on everything after being gone for 2 weeks. It’s funny how life works out. A week before my job ended and I took this yacht delivery, I knew my job was coming to an end with nothing lined up afterward. I was a little stressed not knowing what I will be doing. Then I found this sailing opportunity and decided to take it since I don’t know when I’ll have the chance to do it again. Then on my last day of work, I had a job interview within the same company on a new project and it went well. I drove down to Norfolk, VA the following day to begin my adventure and kept in touch with my business contacts throughout the trip. I then was able to set up the second interview the morning following the day I got back. I was offered the job and decided to take it, so things really are working out well.

I’m going to write up more details on my trip and will post soon.
I uploaded most of my pictures to my Webshots account which you can view here:
http://sports.webshots.com/album/558525817jFFvBV
It is nice to be home.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2007 : 11:26:28

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">It definitely wasn't all fun and relaxing<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, that would be the 3am wet and cold moment, when you realize the world under your feet hasn't stopped moving for days, everything you own is damp, or wet, you haven't had a real meal, or more than two hours of un-interrupted sleep in days and you wonder...."Now WHY are we doing this again?"......(just as it's time to go up there, hold on for dear life and put in another reef....)

Of course NOTHING beats the sunrises, the days of leisurly lingering in the warm cockpit reading without a phone ringing, the awesome enormity of the 15 foot waves.....

And then indeed you get home and REALLY appreciate the little comforts of life.....untill next time, and you jump at it again.

For me it's the epitomy of a love-hate thing.

Edited by - Oscar on 04/15/2007 11:31:00

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