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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Blue water/coatal cruising

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s3tbuell
1st Mate

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47 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/05/2004 : 15:42:38

Has anyone sailed a 250 in the ocean? If so how far out and how many miles? Any info would be great

Doyle
Oregon
Cohesion
WB #141

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2004 : 17:17:57

Haven't been on the ocean but have sailed Lake Superior extensively - fresh water, shorter wave pattern. Anyway, I've been out ten miles or more in winds to 35 mph in my C25 TR. No problems. Just watch the weather before and during your cruise and you'll be fine.

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2004 : 20:05:24

Haven't had my WK in the ocean "yet". I'm planning to take her to the Gulf in the spring to sail on the BEER cruise.

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2004 : 09:11:28

Hey Doyle,

The 250 makes a great small coastal cruiser. My longest cruise period is 24 days with two aboard.

Most of my cruising is done on the Great Lakes, North Channel and Georgian bay, which in some ways qualifies as open water. I've made 4 crossings in the range of 90-100 miles and logged about 3,000 miles cruising on my 250.

You can find cruising stories about those on my web site.

Coastal cruising can be defined by each persons abilities and courage. Basically it means that the boat, skipper and crew have limitations that come into play. The skill of the skipper in handling the boat, navigation and weather, the crews ability to deal with sailing, and the boats abilities all play a part.

I've endured 8 feet of nasty short Great Lakes Chop driven by a sixty mile fetch and a strong breeze. My limititations are gail force winds, but I've ventured out when a great many much larger boats don't.

I've not sailed the wing keel... but can testify to the solid ride of the water ballast which has a proven record of resisting the dreaded hobby horsing.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2004 : 10:07:48

C25s and 250s are designed for coastal cruising and lake sailing in fair weather. The main difference between coastal cruisers and bluewater cruisers is that the bluewater cruiser can take more punishment for a longer period of time. If you sail your coastal cruiser in a severe storm, it will keep you safe until the rigging begins to fail or until hatches or parts of the structure are carried away by breaking waves. That will begin to happen sooner on a coastal cruiser than on a bluewater cruiser. A bluewater cruiser ought to be able to survive a rollover, but I wouldn't bet on a coastal cruiser surviving one.

Also, most coastal cruisers really aren't equipped for storm sailing. Most only have a single reef point on the mainsail, most don't carry storm jibs or trisails, and most don't carry life rafts or epirbs. If you get caught offshore in bad conditions, you are very vulnerable and alone.

If you're ranging the coast, check your weather carefully, and, at the first sign of bad weather, head for the nearest safe inlet. Depending on the tidal currents, wind strength and direction, the inlets can become impassable very quickly. If you don't get in before they become impassable, then you are stuck at sea for the duration of the storm in a boat that really isn't designed or equipped for it. With a little luck, a coastal cruiser can probably survive most storms if you play your cards right, but it's not a good gamble.

The best rule of thumb for making a passage in a coastal cruiser is that you should check your weather carefully before you go, and don't go any farther than your reliable weather window permits. For example, if you want to make the passage from Florida to the Bahamas, wait until fair weather is predicted for the next 2-3 days, carry plenty of extra fuel, and get across as quickly as possible.

There's no reason why small boats like ours shouldn't cruise 2-3 miles off the coast, and make the 70-80 mile passage to the Bahamas. Just stay within your reliable weather window.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2004 : 11:30:24

I second Arlyn and Steve....the 250 is very capable, has a good motion to it and will take waves and wind well, up to a point. The thing to realize is that if they are calling 25-30 in 5-8 foot swells, there are going to be a few gusts to 40, and a couple of 10-12 footers....So, we're not saying it won't do it, but don't bite off more than you can chew.....

The way you have the boat set up and sailing ability, ie your ability to reef, steer the waves, keep stuff from flying around, below and above decks, hatches battened down, yourself comforable, ie warm and dry, in other words can you stay ahead of the boat....it all works together......then there's your knowledge of weather, the water your in, currents, tides, the interaction of the current with the wind....

There's a lot of variables, but it's little things that get the ball rolling downhill, a broken shackle, you leave the helm, she rounds up in a nasty big wave, all the stuff below is covered with the contents of the portapotty, it starts raining, you are cold, wet, miserable and, bottom line, the seaworthyness of your vessel is seriously compromised.

Will the 250 sail in 40 knot winds and ten foot waves? You bet, and it's a fun ride...I've done it. Would you want to do that for 12 hours? No.

I want to emphasize the point Steve made....inlets can become very dangerous quickly in the right (or wrong) tidal current-wind combination, especially at night! When you decide it's time to get inside, it might be too late. If you get caught in this situation remember the old adage: "When in doubt, stay out." Batten down, if you have searoom go hove-to with minimal jib and second reef, go below, stay warm, hydrated, fed and ride it out....or, if you must, go to the sea buoy and call TowBoat US to give you pilot services in.

It can be done, start slow, be conservative, read everything you can get your hands on, learn. Crawl before you walk. I suspect that if you catch the bug and want to do coastal cruising you'll be shopping for another boat.

Now, to answer your question, can you, on a beautiful sunny day with not a cloud in the forecast, sneak through a hole in the fence and play around in the big field? Sure, have fun....just be careful and keep thinking ahead. Don't get caught with your foulies down!

Oscar
C42 # 76 "Lady Kay" (Ex. C250 WB #618)
Georgetown MD/Fort Lauderdale FL

Edited by - Oscar on 11/07/2004 11:41:49

willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2004 : 08:17:29

Here is an excerpt from one of my "sailing in the ocean" updates on this website:
<i><b>This weekend was perfect! I sailed up the Delaware coast with an 18 to 20 knot wind behind me and passed through not one or two but three pods of dolphins! There were two foot waves behind us and the dolphins were jumping out of them almost like they were going to land in the cockpit. It was one of the most dramatic nature moments I have ever experienced.</b></i>
The ocean is FUN!!! I have not yet ventured too far offshore but without question my most memorable sails are on the big blue! Dolphins, huge rays, even the people (when you sail along the beach) add an element you just don't find in a bay or lake.
I AM CAREFUL to "pick my days". I only go out through the inlet with folks aboard that are experienced. All of the safety practices you use in the bay become more important by an order of magnatude when you go offshore.
I have never had the boat give me even a hint of concern although 6' swells are the largest I have encountered. My insurance only covers me to a distance of 15 miles and I have probably never passed half of that.
Guess thats it!
Willy

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Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2004 : 21:01:41

Two Easters ago my two bothers and I took Chick-a-pea across the Gulf Stream to the Bimini Islands. I would not do it again. Not with my two brothers that is.

Maybe one at a time would be OK. But we still had more room on the C-250 with three of us than the other eleven boats that went along in the flotilla who only had two on board. And two of us had scuba gear. I can't wait to go again (but without my brothers). After I did my trip Leon took his C-25 for a month around the Bahamas from Merritt Is, FL.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2004 : 14:50:44

I've taken my C25 50 miles offshore. I routinely go 10 miles or more straight out to go fishing. I almost always am sailing solo. This summer I completed a 325 mile, 12 day, solo offshore cruise. Charlie brought his 2 kids to Catalina on his new C250 during this trip (25 miles offshore).

With proper planning, preparation, and a careful weather watch you have nothing to worry about. Your C250 is a fine sea boat. Don't get caught out in weather you are not prepared for.

I am also a member of Vessel Assist (at sea towing/services) and have my boat insured. I have 2 VHF radios (handheld and fixed), cell phone, GPS, autopilot, charts, safety gear, harness and teather, carry 110, 135, and 155 jibs, 2 reef points in main, spare parts, tools and repair gear. I have a spare jib halyard rigged. I file a float plan (with my wife before I go).

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