Because It's Friday
3 hours ago
Friday, February 23, 2018
Possible Solo Trip?
One of the adventures on my list is sailing trip down the ICW (Intra Coastal Waterway) from Virginia to southern Florida. Almost did it last year as we nearly bought a boat in Massachusetts. At the last minute I backed out. It was just as well as I would have run into the hurricane somewhere along the way.
My lovely wife isn't too keen on that particular trip. However, she doesn't mind if I did it on my own. To avoid most of the bad weather, the trip should be started no later than the month of October. A solo trip changes the logistics quite a bit. The first thing is that I could do the trip in our Oday 19. It's a small boat, but with just one person in it, it's big enough. The boat would not need a lot of upgrades for a solo adventure. In fact, the vast majority of the work needed for the trip is stuff we plan on doing anyway.
Some people claim the ICW can't be sailed, only motored. There are those who've done the whole trip without an engine, so it can be done. The Oday can sail with the smallest puff of wind, so it should be up to the task. Currently, it only has an electric trolling motor for an auxiliary engine. The motor can move the boat at about 3 knots, which is good enough. I would add more battery storage and a larger solar panel.
There's a number of ways the trip could work. One way is to have someone come with me as I tow the boat to Virginia. Then my driver can take the van and trailer back to New Hampshire while I sail south. At the end of my journey I'd find a safe place to anchor, moor or dock the boat. I'd fly home for the holidays. Afterwards my lovely wife and I would drive down with the trailer. We'd spend the winter doing a mix of camping and sailing.
The thing about adventures is that I'm always thinking about the next one -even while currently on an adventure.
-Sixbears
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Life would definitely be boring if we didn't go off the beaten path once in a while. I say go for it!
ReplyDeleteCould be fun!
DeleteYeah you could do it under sail alone. If the wind blows the right way lol. Or have lots of time to wait for it to change.
ReplyDeleteProblem areas are where it's just a ditch and you get high banks on both sides blocking the air.
When ya come, we'll have to talk about the logistics.
So far as when you get clear to Melbourne.
You could leave your truck and trailer in my back yard while you and the lovely wife sail further south.
Having a good place to leave the tow vehicle would make things a lot easier. Looking forward to our visit.
DeleteRoger that on the problem of parking the rig while sailing. We had the same issues back when we sailed. Fortunately we had her sister over in Orlando. Same as you used to have your dad's place up in north Florida. Unfortunately , sadly y'all don't have that option now.
DeleteSo welcome to use our spot.
Sent another email on the time thing, and your schedule is fine by us.
DeleteThanks Spud!
DeleteWould the dog go with you or your wife?
DeleteThe dog would stay with the lovely wife.
DeleteIn 1985, I came back from Europe and spent a year waiting to get resignation approved by HQMC. We lived on Emerald Isle, N.C. during that time. I had a little octagonal house in the middle of a narrow piece of the island, on one side I could watch the inter-coastal waterway, on the other, the beach. I'd see people going up the waterway, (lots of sail boats, too) and think how lucky they were. Hope you get to make the trip some day.
ReplyDeleteWorking on it now for the fall. Not getting any younger.
Delete