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Sailed 368 miles!

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/11/2007 : 12:55:39

I've logged 368 solo miles on my GPS since daylight savings time started! Last night was very light winds, only completed 4 miles.

Average 9.4 miles per day (40 days sailed since March 11).

I've seen winds to 25 knots and as low as 2 or 3. I've sailed in seas to 8 feet. I've ducked spray while heeled over 40 degrees and drifted at 1 knot watching the sunset. And pretty much I saw all of that this past week alone! (weather has been very variable here).

During this time I have also embarked on a major project to make the boat pretty and safe for my planned 3 week, 1000 mile single handed voyage coming in August.

(1) replaced pintles, rebedded gudgeons, painted rudder
(2) cleaned hull topsides to waterline
(3) installed new 10 inch bow cleat for anchoring (with backing plate)
(4) sold roller furling, 2 mains, and 1 135 laminate sail
(5) purchased like new hank on 135 and 155
(6) installed new Catalina 25 logos
(7) sanded all external teak to bare wood and oiled
(8) replaced flags and C25 burgee
(9) cleaned inside top to bottom
(10) sewed new outboard cover
(11) serviced Tohatsu 9.8 outboard
(12) retuned rigging and inspected/replaced all cotter pins and split rings.

PLUS averaging 9.4 miles sailed per day!!!!

Usual MO is that I arrive at the boat 5:30 PM every night, sail until dark or work on boat projects. Get home about 9 PM. I also sail every Sunday 11 AM to whenever. I work at home on Saturday, or spend time with the kids (ha teenage girls with their own car, like I ever see them hanging around the house).

Some weeknights I can't make it, I have to work late, but it is pretty rare (1 or 2 nights per week). I also often have to work Sunday mornings 3 AM to 9 AM - that just leaves more time for Sunday sailing.

I usually sleep on board 1 night per week all year long to help cut my commute time and gas costs.

Indiscipline 1978 FK SR #398

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2007 : 13:07:22

Hi Jim, two things.....1. I am envious...but no matter. 2. can you write up your most hairest conditions so we can post it in the mainsheet to show that the C25 is not a sissy boat. Well, I guess a third think. During your 1000 single hander, can you do a write up for the mainsheet, it would be great reading during the winter months. Cheers.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2007 : 15:01:44

Yes, I will. My most hairy time sailing was in the Crew of Two around Catalina race last year which I already sent you (big thunderstorm, offshore, at night, and I was in first place).

Last weekend I was sailing my C25 in 25 knots of wind gusting higher. Seas were about 5 feet and sloppy. I was under 110 and full main. Halyards and backstay tight, outhaul tight, traveller centered ( I still had room to put it down if the winds got up any more). I was very comfortable, but heeling to about 35 degrees (the c25 will round up at 45+). So no need to reef (yet). Dumping the main once in a while (AKA fisherman's reef works great in our boats). So does the flattening reef. My new main has flattening and 1st and 2nd reef points AND they are all rigged and ready to go in. I can reef in 1 minute.

In these conditions I stand on the leeward seat edge and hike out to weather, sometimes using a tiller extender. This is a big advantage of a smaller boat! You can't properly brace yourself across the cockpit and hike on anything larger. I can lean way out over the lifelines in big gusts.

I sailed about 5 hours - directly upwind to La Jolla and then back down wind to Mission Bay with a big gybe thrown in. Coming back, I was making 7.5 knots and higher on the GPS (helpful current). Autopilot couldn't really handle the conditions so I was hand steering. This was fun. A perfect day on the water (hate those calms).

As I was going in, I saw my friend sail out in his Cal 27. Usually a MUCH faster boat. While he was rounding up all over the place in the strong winds, I drove right by him, out pointed him, then ducked to leeward because I was afraid of him hitting me during a roundup if I passed to weather. He eventually threw in a reef and passed me.

I'll tell you, the Cal 27 is a great boat, it is stiffer, heavier, nicer ride, and lots faster BUT it is WET. You have to bail the cockpit all the time and you get soaked (too low freeboard, inadequate cockpit drains). And no anchor locker!

When was the last time you bailed the cockpit in your C25, even in 30 knots of wind and 7 foot seas? I've never even been seriously wet and I've sailed thousands of Pacific Ocean miles.

One thing I want to take on my 1000 mile voyage is a spare gooseneck. I already have 5 headsails, solar panels, and a completely home made custom built interior for long duration, offshore, single handing. (Considering setting up a lee cloth). Yes, this coming voyage will have overnight offshore passages. I also carry 3 anchors and anchor stablizers (flopper stoppers). Without them the C25 will roll your guts out at anchor.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2007 : 15:35:53

Could you see the glow of Avalon this morning?

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2007 : 16:42:34

Last night, light air sailing out of Mission Bay, at first I saw light smoke from the NW, later a huge plume came over. Avalon is about 100 miles to windward. Wind went very light overnight, and it was damp and dewey. I know that helped.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2007 : 11:58:26

Another interesting GPS fact. As of Friday night its now 376 miles since 11 March in 92 hours and 10 minutes.

Average speed of 4.1 knots.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.