Re: [Cal_Boats] Cal 33-2 for a Gulf Stream crossing? (John)

John - We have a Cal 39 with a modified keel that has a 6' draft. Kind of a hard question to answer but how limited do you thing we'd be in the Bahamas? Did you find yourself sailing in waters less than 6' a lot? I'd be nervous sailing with only 18" under my keel as it can rise up at any second with a rock or piece of coral. Thanks - Paul In a message dated 1/17/2011 8:32:55 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, md… [at] yahoo.com writes: John, I can't speak for the 33-2 Cal, but my wife and I have taken our Cal 2-27 to the Bahamas twice. There is plenty of water. Invest in some good charts. A GPS/chartplotter is quite handy. We cross from Pompano Beach to West End, across the bank to the Sea of Abaco, southward to Hope Town and Little Harbor, across to the Berry's then across the bank to Bimini. We never had issues with draft. We draw 4'6". As for crossing the Gulfstream, just pick a good weather window. Invest in adequate ground tackle for the Bahamas. Setting anchors can take patience and persistence. Michael s/v Magic Pompano Beach, FL

Paul, We have done the Abacos trip three times. We go at the end of June for the regatta there... fun times, five races & ten parties, different venues. Our first trip was on a Catalina 36 with a 5'10" draft. We had no problems. Yes, the water does get "skinny", but the Abacos are well travelled and the cruising guides will keep you on a safe water track from place to place. The last two trips were aboard Magic. We pulled two boats off sand bars when they went aground. Friends with a Beneteau 461 accompanied us on the second trip. They draw 6 feet, and went hard aground at high tide. Neither of us were following the cruising guide route. We were lucky, they weren't. Twenty-four hours later they were once again afloat. Actually, I would not be concerned with bumping the bottom from time to time. The concern I would have is dealing with the fierce storms that pop up with little notice. During our first trip there, we were anchored at Great Guana and rode out a storm on a leeward shore with 60 kts of wind for the better part of an hour. Several boats were damaged. Two dragged anchor and ended up on the rocks. One of the boats was a factory new 52 foot Passport. She ended up in the yard for months getting repaired. You'll be able to get into marina's most everywhere. I do know that Green Turtle can be a challenge. Marsh Harbour has several marinas that you can access. A RIB dinghy and reliable motor is priceless. If you don't have an GPIRB/EPIRB, buy or rent one from Boat US. That's what we do. --Michael-- We have a Cal 39 with a modified keel that has a 6' draft. Kind of a hard question to answer but how limited do you thing we'd be in the Bahamas? Did you find yourself sailing in waters less than 6' a lot? I'd be nervous sailing with only 18" under my keel as it can rise up at any second with a rock or piece of coral. Thanks - Paul

Thanks, Paul and Michael. All of the feedback I've received here has been excellent. The genesis of my question goes back to a comment made by a friend and sailing instructor. Actually, this gentleman is a licensed captain and taught my ASA bareboat course a few years back. A group of us were walking the Key Allegro marina in Rockport, TX once and came upon a beautifully maintained Cal 40. As I stood there salivating, he made the comment (to someone else) that he'd never trust a Cal offshore. I didn't have the opportunity to inquire about his statement, but it troubled me afterward. I've only ever heard good things about Cals and they (certainly the 40s) have a proven offshore race heritage. When I began researching the 33-2, I remembered his comment and wanted to go to the horse's mouth with the owners community. And, here, my original impression has been enforced. I'm not sure what his concern is and, as I'm still in touch with him, I'll explore his thoughts on this a little more. But, your comments and stories have provided just the information that I need to keep this boat on my short list. Thanks again John www.svbluepeter.com --- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com, Michael D <mddfl@...> wrote: > > Paul, > > We have done the Abacos trip three times. We go at the end of June for the > regatta there... fun times, five races & ten parties, different venues. > > Our first trip was on a Catalina 36 with a 5'10" draft. We had no problems. > Yes, the water does get "skinny", but the Abacos are well travelled and the > cruising guides will keep you on a safe water track from place to place. > > The last two trips were aboard Magic. We pulled two boats off sand bars when > they went aground. Friends with a Beneteau 461 accompanied us on the second > trip. They draw 6 feet, and went hard aground at high tide. Neither of us were > following the cruising guide route. We were lucky, they weren't. Twenty-four > hours later they were once again afloat. > > Actually, I would not be concerned with bumping the bottom from time to time. > The concern I would have is dealing with the fierce storms that pop up with > little notice. During our first trip there, we were anchored at Great Guana and > rode out a storm on a leeward shore with 60 kts of wind for the better part of > an hour. Several boats were damaged. Two dragged anchor and ended up on the > rocks. One of the boats was a factory new 52 foot Passport. She ended up in > the yard for months getting repaired. > > You'll be able to get into marina's most everywhere. I do know that Green > Turtle can be a challenge. Marsh Harbour has several marinas that you can > access. A RIB dinghy and reliable motor is priceless. > > If you don't have an GPIRB/EPIRB, buy or rent one from Boat US. That's what we > do. > > --Michael-- > > We have a Cal 39 with a modified keel that has a 6' draft. Kind of a hard > question to answer but how limited do you thing we'd be in the Bahamas? Did > you find yourself sailing in waters less than 6' a lot? I'd be nervous sailing > > with only 18" under my keel as it can rise up at any second with a rock or > piece of coral. > > Thanks - > > Paul >

Hi John, There are many positions that sailors take and to each is valid. Broken down into 2 polar opposites it goes like this: I want a heavy boat that will take everything the sea can throw at it so that I may heave to in 50 K wind and 30 foot seas and let waves break over me. In end I may try to run off under bare poles towing things to slow me down. I want a full keel boat with an attached or outboard rudder. A Colin Archer is the perfect boat for me because it can carry all the supplies I need in Passage making even if it takes longer to get there. I want comfort! Opposite view: I want a well built lite, fast boat. It is easier to sail, has less stress on the rigging and sails, and will surf easily down wind. Because of modern communication I can avoid heavy weather by my speed or slowing down to let the weather pass. I don't need to carry so many supplies because I will take less time to get to where I am going. My ultra lite will not heave to the same as a full keel hull because of it's shape but it can be sailed safely in extreme conditions by other means. A light bulb will survive a storm that sink a freighter! I want speed and an easy boat to sail! A sailor may have a bad experience with a particular hull and this leaves an impression that forms that opinion. It may also be an opinion that has been formed by hearsay or as a result of poor seamanship. I sailed Cal 20's in the 1970's With Hans Vielhauer. A good sailor he completed a SOLO CIRCUMNAVIGATION in a Cal 40 Chaparral. I don't think he had doubts about the integrity of his boat or doubt about his self confidence. It's not about the boats, It's the men and women that sail in them! My Best, Mike From: johntturpin <jo… [at] teamturpin.org> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Mon, January 17, 2011 7:05:50 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Re: Cal 33-2 for a Gulf Stream crossing? (Paul and Michael) Thanks, Paul and Michael. All of the feedback I've received here has been excellent. The genesis of my question goes back to a comment made by a friend and sailing instructor. Actually, this gentleman is a licensed captain and taught my ASA bareboat course a few years back. A group of us were walking the Key Allegro marina in Rockport, TX once and came upon a beautifully maintained Cal 40. As I stood there salivating, he made the comment (to someone else) that he'd never trust a Cal offshore. I didn't have the opportunity to inquire about his statement, but it troubled me afterward. I've only ever heard good things about Cals and they (certainly the 40s) have a proven offshore race heritage. When I began researching the 33-2, I remembered his comment and wanted to go to the horse's mouth with the owners community. And, here, my original impression has been enforced. I'm not sure what his concern is and, as I'm still in touch with him, I'll explore his thoughts on this a little more. But, your comments and stories have provided just the information that I need to keep this boat on my short list. Thanks again John www.svbluepeter.com --- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com, Michael D <mddfl@...> wrote: > > Paul, > > We have done the Abacos trip three times. We go at the end of June for the > regatta there... fun times, five races & ten parties, different venues. > > Our first trip was on a Catalina 36 with a 5'10" draft. We had no problems. > Yes, the water does get "skinny", but the Abacos are well travelled and the > cruising guides will keep you on a safe water track from place to place. > > The last two trips were aboard Magic. We pulled two boats off sand bars when > they went aground. Friends with a Beneteau 461 accompanied us on the second > trip. They draw 6 feet, and went hard aground at high tide. Neither of us >were > > following the cruising guide route. We were lucky, they weren't. Twenty-four > > hours later they were once again afloat. > > Actually, I would not be concerned with bumping the bottom from time to time. > The concern I would have is dealing with the fierce storms that pop up with > little notice. During our first trip there, we were anchored at Great Guana >and > > rode out a storm on a leeward shore with 60 kts of wind for the better part of > an hour. Several boats were damaged. Two dragged anchor and ended up on the > rocks. One of the boats was a factory new 52 foot Passport. She ended up in > the yard for months getting repaired. > > You'll be able to get into marina's most everywhere. I do know that Green > Turtle can be a challenge. Marsh Harbour has several marinas that you can > access. A RIB dinghy and reliable motor is priceless. > > If you don't have an GPIRB/EPIRB, buy or rent one from Boat US. That's what we > > do. > > --Michael-- > > We have a Cal 39 with a modified keel that has a 6' draft. Kind of a hard > question to answer but how limited do you thing we'd be in the Bahamas? Did > you find yourself sailing in waters less than 6' a lot? I'd be nervous sailing > > > with only 18" under my keel as it can rise up at any second with a rock or > piece of coral. > > Thanks - > > Paul > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

I concur! From what I have heard from this group and my personal experience, I would not hesitate to prepare any Cal sailboat for an open water experience. Preparations required depend on the distance to be sailed and the sailor's skill, but the Cal line of boats have been built to cross large and small bodies of water successfully! Don Dutton, 1986 Cal 33-2, "Quantum Evolution" "Twenty Years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ........Mark Twain From: mike farrell <ve… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Tue, January 18, 2011 7:41:08 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Re: Cal 33-2 for a Gulf Stream crossing? (Paul and Michael) Hi John, There are many positions that sailors take and to each is valid. Broken down into 2 polar opposites it goes like this: I want a heavy boat that will take everything the sea can throw at it so that I may heave to in 50 K wind and 30 foot seas and let waves break over me. In end I may try to run off under bare poles towing things to slow me down. I want a full keel boat with an attached or outboard rudder. A Colin Archer is the perfect boat for me because it can carry all the supplies I need in Passage making even if it takes longer to get there. I want comfort! Opposite view: I want a well built lite, fast boat. It is easier to sail, has less stress on the rigging and sails, and will surf easily down wind. Because of modern communication I can avoid heavy weather by my speed or slowing down to let the weather pass. I don't need to carry so many supplies because I will take less time to get to where I am going. My ultra lite will not heave to the same as a full keel hull because of it's shape but it can be sailed safely in extreme conditions by other means. A light bulb will survive a storm that sink a freighter! I want speed and an easy boat to sail! A sailor may have a bad experience with a particular hull and this leaves an impression that forms that opinion. It may also be an opinion that has been formed by hearsay or as a result of poor seamanship. I sailed Cal 20's in the 1970's With Hans Vielhauer. A good sailor he completed a SOLO CIRCUMNAVIGATION in a Cal 40 Chaparral. I don't think he had doubts about the integrity of his boat or doubt about his self confidence. It's not about the boats, It's the men and women that sail in them! My Best, Mike From: johntturpin <jo… [at] teamturpin.org> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Mon, January 17, 2011 7:05:50 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Re: Cal 33-2 for a Gulf Stream crossing? (Paul and Michael) Thanks, Paul and Michael. All of the feedback I've received here has been excellent. The genesis of my question goes back to a comment made by a friend and sailing instructor. Actually, this gentleman is a licensed captain and taught my ASA bareboat course a few years back. A group of us were walking the Key Allegro marina in Rockport, TX once and came upon a beautifully maintained Cal 40. As I stood there salivating, he made the comment (to someone else) that he'd never trust a Cal offshore. I didn't have the opportunity to inquire about his statement, but it troubled me afterward. I've only ever heard good things about Cals and they (certainly the 40s) have a proven offshore race heritage. When I began researching the 33-2, I remembered his comment and wanted to go to the horse's mouth with the owners community. And, here, my original impression has been enforced. I'm not sure what his concern is and, as I'm still in touch with him, I'll explore his thoughts on this a little more. But, your comments and stories have provided just the information that I need to keep this boat on my short list. Thanks again John www.svbluepeter.com --- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com, Michael D <mddfl@...> wrote: > > Paul, > > We have done the Abacos trip three times. We go at the end of June for the > regatta there... fun times, five races & ten parties, different venues. > > Our first trip was on a Catalina 36 with a 5'10" draft. We had no problems. > Yes, the water does get "skinny", but the Abacos are well travelled and the > cruising guides will keep you on a safe water track from place to place. > > The last two trips were aboard Magic. We pulled two boats off sand bars when > they went aground. Friends with a Beneteau 461 accompanied us on the second > trip. They draw 6 feet, and went hard aground at high tide. Neither of us >were > > following the cruising guide route. We were lucky, they weren't. Twenty-four > > hours later they were once again afloat. > > Actually, I would not be concerned with bumping the bottom from time to time. > The concern I would have is dealing with the fierce storms that pop up with > little notice. During our first trip there, we were anchored at Great Guana >and > > rode out a storm on a leeward shore with 60 kts of wind for the better part of > an hour. Several boats were damaged. Two dragged anchor and ended up on the > rocks. One of the boats was a factory new 52 foot Passport. She ended up in > the yard for months getting repaired. > > You'll be able to get into marina's most everywhere. I do know that Green > Turtle can be a challenge. Marsh Harbour has several marinas that you can > access. A RIB dinghy and reliable motor is priceless. > > If you don't have an GPIRB/EPIRB, buy or rent one from Boat US. That's what we > > do. > > --Michael-- > > We have a Cal 39 with a modified keel that has a 6' draft. Kind of a hard > question to answer but how limited do you thing we'd be in the Bahamas? Did > you find yourself sailing in waters less than 6' a lot? I'd be nervous sailing > > > with only 18" under my keel as it can rise up at any second with a rock or > piece of coral. > > Thanks - > > Paul > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links