58 Mile Trip

kjwalker2

Member
Hello all,

This is my first post on this forum (Hopefully I'm posting this in the correct section). I have been tossing the idea around of doing a long trip in my 1981 AMF sunfish, I have recently restored her back to her former glory and am happy to say that she is as dry as can be (with the help of this forum). Now that I have a dry dingy, the idea has been developing into something that i am seriously considering doing. My plan would be to launch around Cedar Point, AL go under the Dauphin island bridge and head west staying parallel with the AL,MS coast all way to Gulf Port, MS. This trip would be approximately 58 miles. My concern is obviously the distance, I am confident that 45 miles can be done in the 10-11 hours of daylight that I will have but am unsure that 58 is doable. Please don't take this concern as one based on my sailing experience, I simply have never had a gps on board to record my average speed, which makes planing this slightly more difficult. I just wanted to hear about other peoples experiences with longer trips, average speeds, or general input on the feasibility of this being completed.

Some things to consider:

Experience- I have been sailing sunfish since i was 14, I am 27 now and am still sailing on the same sunfish. Sailing instructor for 4 years.

Condition- I understand that some will be rightfully concerned with fatigue. Just to address this concern before hand, I am in great shape and am very confident in my ability to make this trip physically.


Here is the Route:
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The "Longest Sunfish Race in the World" is a roughly 25-mile race around Shelter Island, and per the article below, they finished in about 5 hours.
Campbell Conard, age 15, completes Longest Sunfish Race in the World
That would be through multiple points of sail - I would assume for yours, you would hopefully plan it with the weather patterns to minimize tacking and/or changing your point of sail.

Can you pre-plan for various stopping points shorter than the full 58 miles, and then you'd have options if weather/fatigue/etc prevent you from getting the full distance in?
 
The "Longest Sunfish Race in the World" is a roughly 25-mile race around Shelter Island, and per the article below, they finished in about 5 hours.
Campbell Conard, age 15, completes Longest Sunfish Race in the World
That would be through multiple points of sail - I would assume for yours, you would hopefully plan it with the weather patterns to minimize tacking and/or changing your point of sail.

Can you pre-plan for various stopping points shorter than the full 58 miles, and then you'd have options if weather/fatigue/etc prevent you from getting the full distance in?


Tag, thank you for your response, and the article this will definitely help. Your assumption is correct, the plan would be to only use one point of sail for the majority of the trip. I'm expecting the wind direction to be out of the N/NE which would keep me on a starboard tack/ broad reach. There are a few small islands that i could stop at if needed, as well as a few coastal cities Biloxi, pascagoula. I will definitely have a few back up plans if the weather get fowl, or if I have an equipment failure.
 
Here are a bunch of random ideas. As long as the boat and equipment is sound and you are on a broad reach most of the way, here is no reason
why you could not make this trip. After all, a guy back in the '70 sailed a Sunfish from Miami, FL to Boston, MA and wrote a book about it, titled, I recall (?) This Book is Drunk. Read it if you have not already done so. In addition to foul weather gear, plenty of food and water, I would also have a good cell phone and a hand held VHF radio to hail commercial craft of your position and the Coast Guard if you needed big help. Flares would also be good to have if you broke down and needed to guide a rescue boat to your location.

Here is think about. Try half of the trip and see how it goes, This would be a good trial run to gauge fatigue, speed etc.

Alan Glos
Cazenovia, NY
 
Here are a bunch of random ideas. As long as the boat and equipment is sound and you are on a broad reach most of the way, here is no reason
why you could not make this trip. After all, a guy back in the '70 sailed a Sunfish from Miami, FL to Boston, MA and wrote a book about it, titled, I recall (?) This Book is Drunk. Read it if you have not already done so. In addition to foul weather gear, plenty of food and water, I would also have a good cell phone and a hand held VHF radio to hail commercial craft of your position and the Coast Guard if you needed big help. Flares would also be good to have if you broke down and needed to guide a rescue boat to your location.

Here is think about. Try half of the trip and see how it goes, This would be a good trial run to gauge fatigue, speed etc.

Alan Glos
Cazenovia, NY



Thank you Alan, I heard about that trip, but definitely need to pick up a copy. Great suggestions on equipment as well, I'm going to try to make a 25 mile trip this weekend to help gauge how far Ill be able to go in one day.
 
I agree with everything said so far. I just would be sure when you go on the test sail and the real thing you only go if the wind is from a good direction. If you get up and find the wind is coming from the west, postpone the sail and wait for a day when you will be on a reach or run for the trip.
 
It sounds like an epic trip . If I were considering it I would figure 5.8 mph max average on a reach and that would be 10 hours. I would have a backup plan to stop some where if needed... Also I was thinking in an average sailing day I'll bet I sail at lease 30-45 miles back and forth across the lake. In a good wind 3 or 4 miles only takes a few minutes it seems... I am the kind of person that embraces these kind of ideas. You could pick up a used handheld gps off ebay so you can see your speed so you know if you are going to arrive on time. You could end up having to do more miles if you have to alter your course . Maybe try half the distance first and have a plan in case of poor conditions...
 
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No reason such a voyage can't be made under the right conditions, particularly if you're FLYIN' on a broad reach for much of the trip... I sailed the length of the Salton Sea aboard a 12' Minifish, 30 nautical miles in a matter of hours, and that included howling winds tapering off, some doldrums action, a drastic 180-degree wind shift, and winds rebuilding to a mere 8 or 10 knots during the latter part of the voyage. A broad reach is a fast point of sail for most small craft, and your boat should be able to handle the venture... personally, I'd probably do it when the days were a bit longer, as the breeze doesn't always build fast enough in the morning, LOL. :confused:

CHEERS, AND GOOD LUCK ON YOUR VOYAGE!!! DON'T FORGET THE CAMERA & SOME COLD BEER!!! :rolleyes:
 
Over here in The Netherlands, we do 'crossings' like this every year. But 60 miles is a very, very long distance. I'm surprised that you're not mentioning back-up like a yacht that says with you along the coast. I'm not familiar with the local situation (Never been to AL and MS, but I've been to TX and FL) so I suppose that you want to sail this on one of the longer days of the year. Fatigue, heat, salt, possible problems with the gear. You need to consider that as well.

On another spot of this forum, I've read that the US Coastguard has a lot to say about vests and PFDs. I would be surprised to hear that they allow a trip like this without back-up and/or support.
 
... additionally to my previous post (it was very early this morning)...

'Crossings' here are one-way trips across Lake IJsselmeer or trips from the mainland to one of the Northern Islands ('Wadden'). Especially these trips from the mainland are notorious for the strong currents.

Dutch Waterway Police (inland waters) and Coastguard (sea) are not too difficult most at the time. Going out at sea with 20+ knots (gusts 32+) with support from 2 RIBs is allowed. Not going out in these conditions without support.

About 8 -10 yrs ago, my son was sailing an optimist and on a very stormy Sunday, he and another sailor went out on a big lake. Three fathers + myself on two RIBs were out as well. All went well and the boys had an experience that will last forever.
A week later, during much better weather, a large Waterway Police vessel came up to us and ordered us to stop... That turned into an interesting conversation...
First, our licenses were checked, our personal equipment was checked and the boat's equipment was checked. That's standard procedure. Then the officer said: " Gentlemen, we were called last week; concerned civilians called us when they spotted you and the boys go out in that stormy weather! We got the message from the dispatcher but decided not to go and have a look. We know you guys and we know that you're a capable crew and that the sailors are capable as well!"
 
... additionally to my previous post (it was very early this morning)...

'Crossings' here are one-way trips across Lake IJsselmeer or trips from the mainland to one of the Northern Islands ('Wadden'). Especially these trips from the mainland are notorious for the strong currents.

Dutch Waterway Police (inland waters) and Coastguard (sea) are not too difficult most at the time. Going out at sea with 20+ knots (gusts 32+) with support from 2 RIBs is allowed. Not going out in these conditions without support.

About 8 -10 yrs ago, my son was sailing an optimist and on a very stormy Sunday, he and another sailor went out on a big lake. Three fathers + myself on two RIBs were out as well. All went well and the boys had an experience that will last forever.
A week later, during much better weather, a large Waterway Police vessel came up to us and ordered us to stop... That turned into an interesting conversation...
First, our licenses were checked, our personal equipment was checked and the boat's equipment was checked. That's standard procedure. Then the officer said: " Gentlemen, we were called last week; concerned civilians called us when they spotted you and the boys go out in that stormy weather! We got the message from the dispatcher but decided not to go and have a look. We know you guys and we know that you're a capable crew and that the sailors are capable as well!"

Thieuster, Thank you for your input. I agree having a support vessel would definitely be ideal, I'm looking around to see if any one would be willing to accompany me in a support boat or even just in another sunfish. One good thing about the route that I have chosen is that there are barrier islands throughout most of the trip making the voyage more inland like conditions rather than open ocean.

Sidenote- It is interesting to hear about the regulations in the Netherlands and your experiences. Where I am located, in Gulf Shores, AL you don't even have to have a boating license to operate a vessel that doesn't have a motor. Also, dinghy's like my sunfish do not need to be registered, and you are not required to wear a life jacket, you still must have one available though (I will of course be wearing mine). Thanks again for the input!
 
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Just some questions:

How will you make the return trip?

As I've been a victim of a broken mast, would it make sense to carry (to windward) a three-pound emergency mast sleeve?

If one-third through this trip, and you're not "making miles" would you try a different day?

To reduce fatigue, will you be securing stores to windward?

If similar voyages are in your future, would you consider obtaining an EPIRB?
 
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EBIRP sounds good but the chance that it will start working unintendedly is pretty large when sailing a dinghy... I really think that a support vessel is the best and safest option.

If you want to sail a long distance without direct support, you can always opt for this: Texas 200
But I doubt that they will accept a GPR hull...
 
Just some questions:

How will you make the return trip?

As I've been a victim of a broken mast, would it make sense to carry (to windward) a three-pound emergency mast sleeve?

If one-third through this trip, and you're not "making miles" would you try a different day?

To reduce fatigue, will you be securing stores to windward?

If similar voyages are in your future, would you consider borrowing an EPIRB?


L&VW, Thank you for the response. My pop's has a place in Waveland (not far from the final destination) I'm planning on spending the weekend there, and my girlfriend will meet me with the sunfish trailer so it would be a one way trip. I would try a different day if not making sufficient headway, but I would have to make the decision based on location, wind, nearest beach/marina.
Great thought on storing my gear windward, Ill have to play around with that this weekend. The mast sleeve also sounds like a good idea, I will have to look into this, I know what the concept is but don't have any experience with them.
I would love to have an EPIRB on board, I know they are an expensive and potentially life saving piece of equipment.
 
It's been at least five years since a member was to attempt a similar voyage--maybe longer? We haven't heard back!
Well Hopefully they are well! I intend to video as much as possible of the trip & do my best to edit it into something entertaining. I will Definitely share it with everyone, and report back. As of right now, Weather & family permitting I'm going to attempt the trip Friday 11/23.
 
A mast sleeve is not easy to insert. First, be sure your mast looks ok. If it does break, just put a sock or something in the step to protect the bottom of the step. Then put what is left of the mast back in, re tie the halyard to the correct spot on the upper spar, hoist the sail and carry on!
 
Has your mast been exposed to salt water? I would flip it around just move the caps. The mast usually snaps where it is on contact with the goose neck, turning it over fixes that.
 
Has your mast been exposed to salt water? I would flip it around just move the caps. The mast usually snaps where it is on contact with the goose neck, turning it over fixes that.
Has your mast been exposed to salt water? I would flip it around just move the caps. The mast usually snaps where it is on contact with the goose neck, turning it over fixes that.
It has, I’ll swap the caps this weekend. Great suggestion, I have never thought about that.
 
L&VW, Thank you for the response. My pop's has a place in Waveland (not far from the final destination) I'm planning on spending the weekend there, and my girlfriend will meet me with the sunfish trailer so it would be a one way trip. I would try a different day if not making sufficient headway, but I would have to make the decision based on location, wind, nearest beach/marina.
Maybe re-aquaint your girlfriend with the notion that the presence of an empty trailer is easy to forget. :confused:
 
Good road safety tip from L&VW, easy to forget something you can't always see, and it might make trouble if your gal pulls into a rest area, service station, restaurant parking lot, etc. Best gas up your vehicle prior to embarking upon your adventure, that at least will solve one potential problem. Another solution would be to use large truck stops for refueling, as they generally have more room, even on the fuel islands for cars, RVs, etc. If I were making such a voyage, I'd know the NOAA weather forecast (marine forecast in particular) and the tides before I ever left shore... even though you'll be sailing fairly close inshore with land in sight, the tides will affect ebb & flood as you cross the mouths of inlets, estuaries, rivers, etc., the broader the mouths the more likely it is that your craft will be set in some direction which doesn't match your intended course, aye? Just sayin', as it could come into play as a factor, especially toward the end of your voyage when you're running outta daylight and are somewhat tired, perhaps not thinking as clearly as usual, LOL. :confused:

A few more suggestions from an old school OTR truck driver: take a bugout bag & camp gear with you in the vehicle, you may never need it but it's better to have the gear in case you do need it. Warm dry clothing as well, you'll definitely want it after your voyage. Bring tools in the trunk of the vehicle for roadside emergencies or general adjustments to boat or vehicle... even a rudimentary tool set, anything is better than no tools at all. :(

Another option to consider when making such a voyage: combine the voyage with overnight camping at or near your destination, that way you can make the return drive the following morning when you're rested, as opposed to driving back at night when you & yer gal may both be tired. Campground reservations are easy enough to make nowadays... when I sailed the length of the Salton Sea, I camped both nights before and after the voyage, it broke up the long trip from Dago into three legs or segments, running out to the Salton, sailing the next day, and returning the third day at a leisurely (and safe) pace. With only 60 miles to run, one night of camping to break things up and get some rest would be beneficial, and boost safety as far as the return road trip goes. Yer gal could run ahead and set up camp if she's willing, or at least prep the campsite to make things easier for ya when ya land. Moi, I'd make it a night of glamping and romance with the girlfriend, with a nice restorative meal & alcoholic beverages by the campfire, LOL. :rolleyes:
 
Here are a bunch of random ideas. As long as the boat and equipment is sound and you are on a broad reach most of the way, here is no reason why you could not make this trip. After all, a guy back in the '70 sailed a Sunfish from Miami, FL to Boston, MA and wrote a book about it, titled, I recall (?) This Book is Drunk. Read it if you have not already done so. In addition to foul weather gear, plenty of food and water, I would also have a good cell phone and a hand held VHF radio to hail commercial craft of your position and the Coast Guard if you needed big help. Alan Glos Cazenovia, NY
While casting-about Amazon, I see this book is available as a paperback for $331.99 :eek:

.
 
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I'd watch the weather and always be flexible on your plan. Consider a handleld VHF with GPS to back up your cell phone (in a waterproof bag). Carry a flashlight and signal mirror. I would plan to be ashore before dark, wherever that happens to be

Plenty of places to pop ashore along that route. There is a group that does a Mississippi 110 raid in October and another that does the Florida 120 around the Pensacola area in May, when water and air temps are higher. Check facebook for their pages. Your route is extremely doable, you just want to be aware of the wind, tide and water temps.
 
I'd watch the weather and always be flexible on your plan. Consider a handleld VHF with GPS to back up your cell phone (in a waterproof bag). Carry a flashlight and signal mirror. I would plan to be ashore before dark, wherever that happens to be. Plenty of places to pop ashore along that route. There is a group that does a Mississippi 110 raid in October and another that does the Florida 120 around the Pensacola area in May, when water and air temps are higher. Check facebook for their pages. Your route is extremely doable, you just want to be aware of the wind, tide and water temps.
...And, even before dark, there are these:

Mosquito big.jpg
 
Over here in The Netherlands, we do 'crossings' like this every year. But 60 miles is a very, very long distance. I'm surprised that you're not mentioning back-up like a yacht that says with you along the coast. I'm not familiar with the local situation (Never been to AL and MS, but I've been to TX and FL) so I suppose that you want to sail this on one of the longer days of the year. Fatigue, heat, salt, possible problems with the gear. You need to consider that as well.

On another spot of this forum, I've read that the US Coastguard has a lot to say about vests and PFDs. I would be surprised to hear that they allow a trip like this without back-up and/or support.

The Coast Guard has the power to terminate a "manifestly unsafe voyage". In my four years service with them I never heard of this power being used. They do not require any kind of prior approval for private voyages. The proposed trip described would not even catch their attention.
 
I apologize for not logging on the last week or so I got rather busy! I just wanted to give everyone a quick update.

My plan as of now is to go this Friday 11/23/2018. I'll show up at cedar point, AL around 6:30 AM to launch and sail as far West as possible, my ultimate goal being to sail the entire Mississippi, Sound. This is very ambitious as the sound ends in Waveland, MS which is approximately 90 Miles. I know what your thinking.. wait a second... we said 58 miles is DOABLE... 90 miles is crazy. I would agree with this sentiment, but my goal is to push my self and the boundaries of what I can do so I have decided that I will aim high. This does not pose any more of a safety concerns because by the 50th mile I will be sailing parallel along a stretch of sandy beach that is easily accessible by road at all points. So when the sun starts to set I will simply head for shore and call my Family to meet me with the trailer. I have tried to do all of the suggestions that I have received, The only one that I have not been able to complete is the test sail to clock mileage. Unfortunately, the small job of changing the bearings. Races, and grease, to make sure the trailer doesn't give us any issues on this trip, turned into a complete strip/ repaint/ rebuild... y'all know how that goes. So I was unable to do the test sail, the wind was also very mild last weekend.
Everything considered, I feel very confident for the trip, everyone's suggestions and encouragement has been really helpful. Its an awesome thing to able to get input from such a diverse group of sailors with all kinds of experiences. Einstein said it best- "The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know" I know this is true for me, and not just in sailing. Thank you all for sharing your experience & knowledge.

I wanted to get this out of the way, the rest of this obnoxiously long post will be details about the forecast/plan for those that are interested.

Forecast
The forecast is looking good but the winds are slightly stronger than I would like (depending on the source) with gust from 20kts-25kts from the East transitioning to South East later in the day. This will put me on a run/ broad reach, the run portion is less than ideal for speed, but is favorable for fatigue. I am hoping that the higher wind speeds will help compensate for my less efficient point of sail. The weather forecast looks good but I may get a bit of rain late in the trip around 3pm-4pm. "Wave height" will be around 1ft and will be a following sea, I put wave height in quotes because this is typically just a chop not a defined wave. Lastly, Water Temperature will be around 68 degrees with air temps around 57-67 degrees. To compensate for temperature I will be wearing a 3/2 wet suit/booties and a insulated rain jacket.

Extra-Equipment
Garmin GPS, VHF Radio, Iphone (Navionics), 11/2 days of Food/water, Flares, PLB, Lifejacket, Sail ties, Para cord, Flash Light, phone power source.

Video Logging
We have a good camera that we will film all of the B-roll and will show some planning. But the trip its self will be filmed on a go pro, Ill do the best I can here with out endangering myself or my equipment. If you have ever tried to film while sailing in high winds it can be a quite a burdensome task. I don't have a lot of video editing skills, but I am going to put something together and will probably get it out 2 weeks after trip. I will also come to the forum and let everyone know once the trip is complete, this will likely be Sat 11/24.

Planning
I sat down with my girlfriend and went over trailer safety as well as a few potential Meeting points if there is any kind of equipment failure or If wish not to proceed. I will be texting my coordinates every 30 minutes, and will follow up with a call every hour. She also has my "find my iPhone" info and can track my location each step of the way.


1542823234114.png



Okay, So if you have made it this far in this post you are just about as committed to this trip as I am. Thanks again for the support, I look forward to sharing the trip with everyone.


GO SMALL, GO SIMPLE, GO NOW & GO SAFELY


- Kevin
 
You can do this, bro... maybe not the entire distance at this time of year, but you can make a heller voyage and have a blast, just be prepared for adverse conditions, potential equipment failures, etc. Like Norcalsail, I'm interested to see & hear what happens on this voyage... keep marine safety your primary concern, and you'll be alright. Good luck to ya, and I say that as a hand who has done such voyages... not long-range in the traditional sense of ocean voyaging, but definitely long-range for small craft, AYE??? ;)

CHEERS, BRO!!! BE SAFE & MAKE US ALL PROUD, LOL... :rolleyes:
 

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