The original Scoot discussion...

[Tim]

I also think that since the point of the Great Lakes race would be preparation for something greater, that it would be best to do it ones own boat. Not to mention the difficulty in finding a boat to "borrow" from a Singlehanded Society

[AdriftAtSea]

fortunately, most of us have trailerable boats

[Godot]

How do you define trailerable?  Godot could be put on a trailer, but so could a 50 footer.  It is not really designed as a trailerable (the center board model was).  My truck is too small to pull it in any case.  I wonder how many people here think of their boats as trailerable.  Does that mean it should be trailer launchable? 

I'm not being snide.  I really don't know.

[CharlieJ]

I wouldn't consider Tehani "trailerable" although she is highway legal and we DID haul her form New York to Texas. Our 5.7L Silverado is plenty large enough to tow her.

But I would not really want to try ramp launching her at most ramps I've seen. I'd prefer to have her launched via travel-lift if we were to get a trailer.

Rigging isn't all THAT much of a problem- we've used a Macgregor mast raiser to set the mast ever time we've done it- once on a trailer pre launch and once in a slip. Both times we used a ladder up forward of the bow so someone could "catch" the mast head to help guide it down. NOT something I'd want to do every week , for sure.


That's somewhat unlikely since Laura has zero interest in towing the boat places. When Tehani goes somewhere she wants it to be by water.

[Tim]

But I would not really want to try ramp launching her at most ramps I've seen. I'd prefer to have her launched via travel-lift if we were to get a trailer.

The new trailer for Mariah is made that I could float her off, but would not want try and put her back on 

She is trailerable to the point of being able to haul her to a season of sailing or "special event"
 

[okawbow]

I dry sail my Bristol 24 most of the time. The boat weighs about 6000 pounds and the trailer weighs about 1500. I made the trailer to launch and recover the boat with no more trouble than I used to have with my Mac 25. I use an F350 truck to pull it. I got 12 mpg from Florida to Illinois this spring. My Bristol has a 3'5" draft. I wouldn't be to comfortable launching and retrieving with a deeper draft. I have to use a 7' extension as it is, and the launch ramp must be 5' deep at 30' from the waterline. Many ramps are that deep or more. My mast is too heavy to step with 1 or 2 people. It takes 3 or 4 to man-handle it up. I have lowered it alone using my spinnaker pole and mainsheet assembly. I plan to insall a taller, stronger, tabernacle to make shorthanded stepping safer.

If your boat is not over 8' wide and doesn't draw over 3 1/2', it isn't that hard to trailer and launch. 

[polecat]

If one were thinking of a gulf scoot - where would be the best start to keep the chalenges fairly equal - when would you leave out to arrive in San Salvador just before the scooters from beaufort? Anyone thinking of this?

[CharlieJ]

Tough sail across the GOM to Florida- you are against the wind most all the way. Laura and I beat our brains out trying several years ago- in 24 hours offshore we LOST 38 miles toward Florida

If you really wanted to do it, the thing to do would be to go down to at least Port Aransas and jump off there sailing out to the 100 fathom curve- the 1000 foot water is much closer there than further east and the slant on the wind is some better.

Much as we hate it, heading east we've found the simplest thing is to stay in the ICW til you get past New Orleans, THEN be ready to jump offshore. Once past N.O. you can go out several passes from Mississippi Sound or Lake Borne and have a much better angle on the prevailing SE winds. That's a tedious haul going across eastern Texas and western Louisiana, but with the oil rigs out there and the prevailing head winds, it's really the best way.

Unless of course you sail to Veracruz, then head across to southern Florida, straight across - THEN you might have fair winds. But a WHOLE lot further to sail and you'd be then bucking the loop current ( that eventually becomes the Gulf Stream.

Sadly, we are just in the bottom of a wind hole here, heading east.

[polecat]

So if there was a gulf scoot it would have to have a start somewhere east of N.O.
and the farther east the better for good wind. That would most likely mean cutting through the Okeechobee, straight across the stream and down the providence channel out into the atlantic and south to San Salvador.  Lots of Motoring but would be a fun trip.  Coming home would be a good trip if you came around to the south and stop in the Keys then across the gulf.
jim

[Tim]

Tough sail across the GOM to Florida- you are against the wind most all the way. Laura and I beat our brains out trying several years ago- in 24 hours offshore we LOST 38 miles toward Florida

Almost makes trailering across Texas sound fun 

[CharlieJ]

Polecat- yeah- IF, and right now that's a definite no-the Okeechobee waterway across Florida is open. Right now it is closed due to lack of water. Or it was last I heard.

[polecat]

Yep - sounds like a tough go no matter what.     Worst thing is that it just doesn't feel like cruisin - to much like schedules and work.  Think I'd rather cruise   to the Bahamas starting in Nov then maybe ooch on up to Beaufort early April for the scoot. -- hate to miss the first one -- it'll be sea story material for years.
jim

[Pappy Jack]

Here is a question for all the Scooters. Given that this event will be about 650 -700 miles and mostly to wind ward, how long do you think it will take your "sailfar" boat to make the trip? I know I would like to make about 100 miles a day but reality would dictate about 50, ergo about 14 days .

Fair winds,

Pappy Jack

[Godot]

It is hard to say how long it will take.  I'm sort of expecting 10-14 days (the distance covered over ground is likely to greatly exceed the 650 estimated miles as I tack back and forth).  I've already requested four weeks off from work.  If it takes 14 days, I will have a few days to enjoy the scenery before heading back (the return trip should be easier).  Assuming nothing major breaks.  If it takes much longer, well, I guess I might have to leave the boat in the Bahamas and fly back home and either sell it there or plan on returning the following year for the trip home.  The advantage to that plan is I get to enjoy the Bahamas longer.  The drawback is I might find myself temporarily boatless after The Scoot.  Or maybe I could make it to Florida or something.

[Pappy Jack]

Adam,

I figured about four weeks also. Two weeks there, one week back and one week of driving back and forth from Iowa to N.C. I hate to be rushed but what can you do? As for asking for time off, I have not done that yet. Doesn't make much sense considering the line of work I'm in . I've had my vacation cut in half once, just to cover a job...me thinks that I'm too loyal or something  .

Fair winds,

Pappy Jack
                                                                                                                             

[Pappy Jack]

Well, I talked to my operations manager about doing The Scoot and got a tentative OK . I guess time will tell. How about the rest of you brave souls. Any of you guys have to ask for time off or is Godot and I the only ones ?

Fair winds and full sails,

Pappy Jack

[Frank]

I'm semi-retired with a 34yr old taking over my construction business.I only do plans now.When I told him it was April..he said "thats a busy time"..I replied.."fire me, PLEASE, fire me"  . Now..about the windward thing...who's idea was that? How about a beam reach somewhere

[ronc98]

I have enough vacation time saved up for a six week trip.  I also talked to the owner of my company and he is all for it.  He does think I am crazy since he prefers to sit on a cruise ship. 

All I need now is more open water experience sailing. 

[Lynx]

Route B - Beam reach down to Fl and then through the NW passage. Stay out of the Gulf Stream until NW Passage, that is Port Everglades. Stop by Manjack Cay on the way back.

[Pappy Jack]

Lynx,

Sounds good. You have a counter current between land and the GF that would should help a lot. But(isn't there always a but?) it looks like it might be a longer route. Also I don't know if I would want to sail that close to land and shipping in the GS. I can just see me falling asleep and my boat sailing blindly out into the GS. But on the other hand, if you had trouble with your boat or your health you would be close to shore and help. But...that would take away some of the adventure of the whole experience. Would it not? I was also thinking of going south to, oh say, the Frying Pan then going SW but here again it would add some miles on to the voyage but would have that counter current helping out.  BUT.....  

OH well, I probably not know which way I'll go until I go.

Fair winds and full sails,

Pappy Jack