Hi All:
Here's a preliminary report:
S/V Isabelle, a Cape Dory 33, cleared customs in Westbrook, CT. at 1830 yesterday, after completing a round trip to St. George's, Bermuda. After 17 days on the boat (this figure includes several on a slip at Greenport, NY, and five tied to the dock at the center of St. George's), I'm still sorting out the experience.
I should be posting some kind of summary of the trip later.
In essence, the trip was all downhill on the way to Bermuda (it took us 5 days, although we allotted 6), and all uphill/upwind on the way back (it took us 7 days, including one that was, for all intents and purposes, lost in the Bermuda Triangle).
The experience taught me a lot about myself, about the rugged capabilities of Cape Dory boats, about seamanship, about offshore sailing and about the many, many moods of that magnificent three-quarters of the globe that is covered by water.
It was a memorable trip--I've always dreamed of making a long offshore passage--and we were a surprisingly well-mixed crew.
While I'm not sure that a CD33 qualifies as a "SailFar" boat, Isabelle was the smallest boat to take part in this year's Bermuda Cruising Rally; after the almost constant beating we took on the way back, I'm not sure I'd want to make such a passage in anything smaller (such as my own CD25D).
All I can say to those dreaming of heading offshore is: Do It Now!
I waited until I was almost 63, and I wish I had done so earlier in life.
More details will follow, once I've digested my notes and memories.
Best,
--Joe
Can't wait for further reports!
Always good to hear good things about CDs. Mines a 28, so I'm right in between yours and theirs. :o)
Cheers,
Todd
Congrats Joe,
I look forward to readning your write up. :)
Some pictures might be nice too. ;)
Joe, I've been wondering how your passage was going...
Your trip and comments remind me of reading about Nathaniel Herreschoff's similar voyages to Bermuda a century ago in his 26-foot Alerion sloop--with only a cuddy cabin.
Congrats on your voyage. Looking forward reading more about it, too.
-Jim
Looking forward to more, thanks Joe
Tim