Frank 175 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Dreaming of going offshore in 2019 the (realistic) dreamboat is at least 44 ft , that not going to happen (44ft ) so I thought I would canvas anecdotes about small boats (under 31 ft LOA) that have done the offshore thing. I'm suggesting perhaps that it be limited it to "Mere Mortals" (MM's) in NZ boats and not legends like David Lewis or Andrew Fagan etc. so here goes a few I know of or have heard of. Marauder 28 that did Auckland Mooloolaba a few years back A Carpenter 29 that sailed AKL to New Caledonia 2 or 3 yrs back A Spencer 32 (ply) that went to Tonga back in the 70's (OK 1 ft too big but still plywood) An Alan Wright Haani 28 (plywood forerunner of the Nova 28) that sailed to the islands) described as "2 weeks in a washing machine" And a chap from the Thames sailing club who soloed a 20 ft trailer sailer to the Three Kings twice ! Oh and that fellow who sailed a Wharram Tiki across the Tasman recently. It would be great to hear from folks who have crewed or skippered on such boats and their insights. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScottiE 174 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Twisted Sisters went offshore - twice. 1st time as a standard 9m Turissimo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,297 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Nova 28, Innovator of Mana Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,771 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Chico 30 won the soli trans tasman. I sailed back to nz on her. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chariot 244 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Several Raven 26 have been offshore along with the Reactor that did the last solo trans Tasman. There are several under 31ft kiwi designs that have been offshore Davidson 28, Tasman Whiting 29 Chico 30 Smith 30 Cav 32, possible 30 Lotus 9.2, 9.5 Davidson 31 H 28 Y88 have crossed the Tasman Just to name a few off the top of my head. Plenty off others if you really start to think about it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kiwipilgrimnz 1 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Like this post so far...just wondering what are the offshore stats like on an Easterly 30? The people i talk to seem to think she is a great solid pocket yacht... I welcome ideas on this model as well Quote Link to post Share on other sites
raz88 97 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Yeah there are heaps. Once upon a time it was considered quite normal by kiwis to go offshore in a 30 footer. I know of a raven 26 that's been from here to Canada. Cav 32's have been all over the show. H28s have circumnavigated as well. A few of the 30ish foot townsons went to the islands etc, I know of a townson 32 that's been to Darwin and back, but they had big windows and Des always said they weren't designed for it I believe. If you can find an entry list from a fiji race from years back they were full of 30ish footers. Big fleets too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wild violet 38 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I took my 32 footer round the south island via stewart island this year had no issues,only difference between smaller boats and bigger ones are speed and storage space,smaller boats are way easier to handle,reef anchor etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,771 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I just found out my old cav 32 has just come back so she's been around the planet twice now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest 000 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Did a lot of ocean miles single-handed in 17 foot 10 inches LOA. Obviously, what you can carry on board is limited, eg 30 gallons of water giving 60 days at the old half a gallon per man per day rule, so comfort is not going to be all that great. I think small boats are strong and not subject to the same stresses in a seaway as their larger sisters - you tend to bounce from wave top to wave top rather than plowing through the wet stuff. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Pope 253 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Webb Chiles did his first time around in a Drascombe Lugger (open boat) he is currently completing his 6th in a 24 foot day racer, the best boat to have is the one you've got! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
curly12 1 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Peter Freeman in the 80's circumnavigated in a home built 32ft Hartley Ferro, held the world record for fastest sub 50ft boat non stop. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Frank 175 Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 I'm fascinated by the little pocket offshore cruisers.. 17-24ft interests me. Andrew Fagan is a legend. Shane Acton is another. Who sailed to the 3 kings in a trailer sailer and what was the boat? I did hear of a TS, possibly a Pacer, that sailed there several times.. maybe the same one? From my fairly inexperienced view it seems a good small boat can be just as seaworthy as a big boat but becomes very uncomfortable in the rough. I have been caught out in marginal conditions (for a TS) off the BoP coast and while I felt completely safe, it was certainly uncomfortable. I can't imagine what it would be like in 6-7m swells in a small boat. John Guzzwell (Trekka ?) would have to be added to the list I found this on a google search http://www.tonygrove.com/boatbuilding/trekka.php. The chap who went solo to the three kings was in his 80's I think and If I recall correctly the article was in Boating NZ a year or three back. A chap I worked with in the Naval Dockyard built a Farr 9.2 that he sailed around NZ. He left the boat in Bluff for a few months before completing the circuit. The three kings will be one of the first trips when I get my new (old) boat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Frank 175 Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 100's, maybe almost 1000's, of 6.5mts boat have crossed the Atlantic. Yes of course ! particularly the Mini Transat Boats at only 6.5 Metres, Chris Sayers Book is excellent ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Frank 175 Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 Peter Freeman in the 80's circumnavigated in a home built 32ft Hartley Ferro, held the world record for fastest sub 50ft boat non stop. Interesting , you wouldn't think of Ferro boats breaking speed records Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Frank 175 Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 Did a lot of ocean miles single-handed in 17 foot 10 inches LOA. Obviously, what you can carry on board is limited, eg 30 gallons of water giving 60 days at the old half a gallon per man per day rule, so comfort is not going to be all that great. I think small boats are strong and not subject to the same stresses in a seaway as their larger sisters - you tend to bounce from wave top to wave top rather than plowing through the wet stuff. Kudos to you ! have you written of the experience ? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Frank 175 Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 Webb Chiles did his first time around in a Drascombe Lugger (open boat) he is currently completing his 6th in a 24 foot day racer, the best boat to have is the one you've got! I think James Hatfield an English Heart Patient did a circumnavigation in a 20 footer that eventually foundered off NZ. From memory he finished the trip in a bigger boat. A fibreglass version of a Cornish Crabber I think. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Frank 175 Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 Twisted Sisters went offshore - twice. 1st time as a standard 9m Turissimo Cats have a good record offshore. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MarkMT 68 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Yes of course ! particularly the Mini Transat Boats at only 6.5 Metres, Chris Sayers Book is excellent ! Completely coincidentally, I happened to pull his book off the shelf today and flicked through it. Have it sitting right next to me. What ever happened to him? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ex TL systems 63 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 a 23 ft wharram cat [similar to the one that crossed the tasman recently] was and perhaps still is the smallest cat to circumnavigate,, smaller boat , smaller problems particularly when sailing solo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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