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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Basic/Beginning cruising questions.

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JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/06/2010 : 11:45:55

Okay, so any cruising, or even coastal day sailing, is probably at leats a year off for me, if not longer. But it's my ultimate goal in all this, so I can't help but start asking questions now.

First, what type of cruising (length of trip, type of waters, etc.) is the C25 fit for? And what is definitely too much for one?

Second, I'm currently in a Lake on the ST john's river FL. How much experience do I need before I start trying some cruising? What about simply daysailing in coastal waters?

Third, where are the best places in and around FL to cruise in a C25? Is the inter-coastal a good option as a transition from lake to ocean?

Matt W.
1983 C25 SR/SK
Monroe Harbor Marina
Sanford, FL.

Edited by - on

Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2010 : 12:39:14

Coastal cruising is different from bluewater cruising. The C25 is very capable for coastal cruising. The limiting factors are the size of the boat and the skipper's skills.

When I bought my C25, I looked at another C25 that had been outfitted as a liveaboard in the Sea of Cortez. The owner had lived aboard (2 people) for 6 months each year for several years. They'd added refrigeration and a couple of water makers, in addition to an extensive solar array. Incidently, they chose the C25 because they trailered the boat home to Colorado for the 6 months they weren't living aboard.

And I have to mention this too. I have 6 kids (age 5 to 17), and we take our C25 out for weeklong cruises once in a while (trailering down to Lake Mead). On our first few nights we had some kids sleeping in tents on the beach, but they decided the boat was more comfortable, so we now sleep all 8 of us on the boat (with some little kids, we can sleep 6 inside, and the two oldest sleep on the cockpit benches. We'd buy a bigger boat, but we live inland and have to trailer the boat, so a C25 is the best for the sailing we do.

Edited by - on

windsong
Captain

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USA
318 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2010 : 12:54:11

Matt,
Are you crewing on other people's boats? If not, I highly recommend that you find a sailing club and offer yourself as crew. It is really the best way to safely advance as a sailor. On other people's boats, you will get caught in storms; you will have things break and learn to fix them; you will run aground; you will learn a thousand tips; and you will learn your waters from people who know them. You don't want to face any of these situations for the first time as captain. What you learn as crew you will practice aboard your own vessel.
Note: I particularly recommend racing. You will have an easier time finding boats to let you aboard and the learning curve is faster because racing boats really push the limits in ways cruisers rarely do.
I'm not trying to avoid your question about what are the limits of a C25? It's a great question, and one that we are all finding out each time we take out our boats. Opinions vary. I sail in the ocean, and I have done some coastal cruising, but I must say, when I get out of sight of land and I see a squall moving in, I find myself wishing for a half-ton more keel and an inboard.

Edited by - windsong on 05/06/2010 13:08:44

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2010 : 13:50:19

I'm reminded of two too-often quoted lines so, I'll quote them here.

"Just Do It!" and,

"If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there."

You strike me as a cautious guy that won't take risks just for the sake of taking risks. I think that's probably the best attribute to have as a sailor --beginner or old salt. Having said that, once you've learned how to handle your boat is a variety of conditions, go for it! There are many that take their first sail on the ocean. Read some of JimB's adventures and you'll learn that the boat is certainly capable. Just remember to crawl before you walk and walk before you run.

After you've sailed your lake for a while, you might invite your instructor on board for a lesson or two on handling currents and tides. Or, as Michael suggests, invite yourself on board one of our member's boats that's already cruising the ICW. I'd bet you'll be welcome.

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2010 : 09:42:08

Go cruising on the IC! DaveR has already invited you!

Find some yacht club with races and sign up as crew.

Our little sailboats offer so many options. Do it all!

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2010 : 10:21:52

It doesn't take much to set your boat up for coastal cruising, but you need good info for safe cruising.

You need to have good charts and you need to have VHF weather, or cell phone weather, or any one of the other ways to get updated weather reports. Because you can't always avoid bad weather, get prepared for sailing (or anchoring) in the poor conditions that you might encounter.

For example, I just rigged up a second, larger anchor for storm conditions. I may never need it on the Chesapeake, but now I'm better prepared for one more thing.

Edited by - on

JudOWNED
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2010 : 11:26:42

Thanks fellas. There is a sailing club at lake monroe I plan on joining. They have wednesday night races, too. So maybe I'll try crewing with someone to get more experience. And then I'll have to do some coastal or IC cruising with someone. Once I'm sure DaveR isn't an axe murderer or sex offender (mind ponying up your DOB and SSN so I can run ya, Dave?

) I may take him up on his offer one day too.

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2010 : 12:00:42

I can vouch for Dave, and for his dog, too!

He owns a Catalina sailboat, after all!

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2010 : 07:38:57

Matt, you have an excellent area to get to know your boat in fairly protected water. As you progress you'll be able to take longer and longer outings both north and south on the St. Johns. There's Marinas all up and down the river so there's no reason you couldn't do an extended sail. My brother sailed from Daytona north to Jacksonville on the Intercoastal and then south on the St. Johns all the way to Deland, and I've been all the way to Key Largo on the Intercoastal. Your worst enemy will be those wicked summer storms on a shallow lake. This makes for 3 to 4 foot waves very close together. Don't get caught in that! These are tough, forgiving little boats, the real danger is over estimating your own abilities. Oh, and not to worry, I quit using an axe years ago, hehhehheh ............

Edited by - DaveR on 05/08/2010 07:40:28

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2010 : 13:47:18

In addition to charts, get a good cruising guide for the area you'll be cruising. It'll tell you where the good anchorages are, and marinas, and restaurants. Ice is a big deal on a cruise, so get a 5 day cooler.

I like to plan on traveling 15-25 miles per day. You can go farther, but 15-25 will get you to your next stop earlier, with time to clean up, change clothes, rest with a refreshing drink, and then go to a restaurant (usually with air conditioning) for dinner.

So far as experience is concerned, you need basic sailing skills and the common sense to take the sails down and motor to shelter if the weather gets bad.

You need to be able to read the basic information on a chart and to understand what the different colored and shaped channel markers mean. You should have a pair of binoculars (they don't have to be expensive) and either a gps or a hand bearing compass. You should also have a set of dividers and a parallel rule for checking distances on a chart and plotting a course. You should know the most basic rules of the road, but, when in doubt, just stay out of everyones else's way.

You need to know how to tie a boat up to a dock or in a slip so that it won't be damaged.

It will enhance your cruise if your teak is freshly treated, your boat is clean, you dress the boat in her sail cover and all her sunbrella, and you don't hang your laundry all over the boat to dry. If you do that, you'll be welcomed by other boaters who'll respect you for being a courteous yachtsman and a good neighbor. When I cruised my Catalina 22, I palled around with guys with 40+' motor yachts and sailboats, and even chatted at length with a famous yachtsman/author. It's well worth the effort to make your boat look her best, because the people you meet along the way will be the most memorable part of the cruise.

When you enter a marina, as soon as you finish using their rest room, check in with the management and make arrangements for your accommodations for the night, and never leave owing for anything.

I agree with the others - just do it. If you make a few embarrassing mistakes the first time, you'll get over them, and you won't make them on your next cruise. Cruising the IC Waterway is great. I especially like Florida between St. Petersburg and Ft. Myers.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2010 : 04:05:25

Dry Ice.

rent a beach hobie cat on a day it is blowing like hell.

Oh and ask the guy that is renting to explain Pitch poling.

Edited by - on

Delilah
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2010 : 18:26:16

Hey Matt,
We just bought a C25 a month ago in St Aug. Our plan was to move it around to the St Johns but have decided to keep her in St Aug for a month or two. There is nothing better than finally making it out that inlet and today the water was an amazing turquoise like I had never seen her before and our first trip offshore in the boat. Anyway the St Johns is a great place to "learn" your boat. Just watch the west sky in the afternoons this summer!
The St Augustine yacht club does sunday races as does the Rudder Club. And it is a good way to learn and can be a lot of fun!
I have done some cruising too and would be glad to give you pointers when you need them....just ask!

Smooth seas,

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2010 : 10:11:17

Hi Matt... I think just about every one of us has come to the conclusion that our C-25s (and C-250s) can take more than <i>we</i> can. The limits are basically our own, and they expand rapidly with experience. But then there's the captain's responsibility for his crew, passengers, and others around him who can be affected by his actions.

A "Keelboat" course from US Sailing, the Power Squadron, or whatever, can really jump-start your skills as a captain and boost your confidence. It's not just the basic information, but also the discussions and insights that can come from a peer-group and a skilled instructor. You'll learn the rules, the conventions, the tools, basic techniques, and how to get help in an emergency. This is not just about "sailing"--it's about seamanship. If you have a "significant other" who will participate in your adventures, I strongly recommend getting her/him in on the education. Their confidence and enjoyment will be greatly enhanced. I've seen lots of evidence that couples benefit from an experienced third-party as the teacher, rather than one partner "teaching" the other.

And yes, get out there and just do it!

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 06/20/2010 10:12:26

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