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Reading recommendations for off shore cruising knowledge

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Rusty Mayes, Jul 25, 2021.

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  1. Rusty Mayes

    Rusty Mayes Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2019
    Messages:
    56
    Location:
    Sanfransico Bay area
    I've been boating for going on 30 years starting with a 28 foot Searay and have experienced just about every extreme weather and water condition that the bay and delta and local lakes offer. Over the years we have on occasion ventured past the golden gate bridge for a few miles and turned around mainly because it was always just a segment of a bay cruise, never ventured out to go down the coast. I was always struck by how different the water is out there, big swells and big ass waves crashing on the shore and always remembered being much more comfortable once back inside the bay. One big reason to buy the 51 foot Carver was to have a more comfortable boat to begin venturing down the coast 50 to 100 miles for weekend excursions. I am wondering if any of you guys that run off shore had good reading recommendations on the subject. I would probably join a group of experienced cruisers on a trip before venturing out on our own but want to be well read on the subject rather than just follow along. I know some folks don't see it as a big deal, its only wind and water after all. Those are the guys that end up on the evening news though after giving the Coasties an opportunity to be heroes. I tend to approach flying and boating with a heaping spoonful of caution however.
    Thanks
    wes hayes likes this.
  2. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,649
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Your comments include SeaRay, Carver, Boating offshore and Flying.
    #1 pick for reading, The Bible.
  3. Rusty Mayes

    Rusty Mayes Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2019
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    Location:
    Sanfransico Bay area
    LOL! Read that already:cool:
  4. gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2012
    Messages:
    733
    Location:
    OR/CA
    Charlie's Charts.
    Really, I get what you are saying and I would put myself in a similar experience level.
    I really think you have the skills needed.
    Provision, plan for weather, plan for tide, plan B and like you are planning, take baby steps. Trouble is there are no baby steps out of the Gate as far as I can imagine. Our boats, Navigator and Carver need all the skill and seamanship we can muster whilst offshore, ask Capt Ralph;)
    wes hayes likes this.
  5. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2012
    Messages:
    1,396
    Location:
    Ketchikan, Alaska
    One of the concerns for your area is that you are going from relatively calm, protected waters into some of the rougher bodies of water there are. Unfortunately you don't really have an option for something in between to get used to. I would encourage you to try to fully understand the capabilities of your boat and do lots of weather checking before venturing out. I think others are trying to send you some not so subtle hints that Carver's are not known to be the best seakeeping hulls. So do your research and please be safe. I think going with a group is a great idea. Also, if you have no big water experience, you might consider hiring a more experienced Captain to help you gain some experience. Even if for just a day trip or two.
  6. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    We've heard a lot of the west coast trepidation. Many who boat in the Puget Sound area and even go inside as far as SE Alaska, never venture down the coast. Our first day boating in the PNW was coming out of Gray's Harbor and the waves were over 10'. However, they were swells, not wind waves and long periods. Still different than our norm. Out of curiosity, I just looked at what you'd face if you exited the bay right now. 4' at 9 seconds, but the wind portion of that is only 1' at 3 seconds. There's a 3' at 8 seconds swell from the West and a 2' at 15 seconds from the South. I would consider the conditions to be relatively mild for an experienced west coast cruiser and a bit frightening for a bay cruiser.

    So, a couple of ideas. The experienced captain Dockmaster suggested is a great idea. I'd even suggest it on a day like today as it would be a great time to learn the difference in wave behaviors and how your boat handles them.

    Second, recognize boat limitations. A 51' Carver is not a great seakeeping boat, not a cruise the world type boat. On the other hand, there are a lot of good weather days off the west coast it could handle. If you want to cruise regularly from Alaska to Mexico, it's not the boat to have. However, for the good weather cruise up or down the coast with short runs it is capable.

    That brings to the next point. Start following the conditions off the coast. Regularly look at sites like windy. Look at advisories. See the good and the bad. Think about your boat and the conditions.

    Then plan a short trip north or south, preferably with a captain the first time. Maybe north to Bodega Bay or south to Santa Cruz. All short runs and easily within very predictable weather windows. Pick ideal conditions and if conditions aren't there, postpone. Same on return trip. Be prepared to wait weather out. Those trips will introduce you to coastal cruising. That's all it is, just many of those. You can cruise the entire coast on easy one day trips. The challenge is finding weather windows that fit your boat and cruising style. You can cruise from San Francisco to Portland Oregon without every making a run over 115 nm. You just can encounter rough bar crossings but the CG is very good with information at each and the key is don't go out on a day that will present a round entry later. Same going South but not the same difficult bars or inlets.

    In a large capable boat we might run straight from San Francisco to San Diego. However, it can be a series of short runs and is for most boats. Even when doing it as one long run though we always know the short runs as we always have escape plans. We run outside on the east coast, often long distances, but we know everywhere in between that we could enter safely. Running outside on the west coast for you will never be 600 mile runs but always 50-100 mile runs, just can be an infinite number of them strung together.

    I'd suggest you start by identifying every port on the west coast within 300 or 400 miles of you. Then start following conditions. Read what you can about those areas. Then decide how adventurous you want to be. If you then try it and like it, your next boat may be more seaworthy. If you try it and don't like it, enjoy boating inside in the bay, in the delta.
  7. Capt Cole

    Capt Cole Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2017
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    Location:
    Pittsburg CA
    All of the above advice is right on point. Weather/sea conditions are critical. This has been an unusually windy season along the entire coast. There have been some decent weather windows depending if your heading North or South, but long periods of excessive wind with the associated wind wave activity. The are several popular weather apps often mentioned such as Windy, Windfinder, SailFlow, etc. If you are not comfortable with these, there are commercial sites offering weather services such as Commanders Weather.

    Another consideration when venturing out the Golden Gate is tide. You will generally find conditions the calmest at slack tide following a flood or incoming tide. I know that is pretty basic stuff, but when crossing the bar, conditions can change dramatically depending on tidal flow and wind conditions.

    A good first cruise would be Half Moon Bay (Pilar Point Marina). Only about a 20 nm run, but it will give you a taste of coastal cruising. You will find decent restaurants within walking distance. I would also suggest contacting some local Bay Area yacht clubs. I'm sure some organize group cruises to places you would find interesting.
  8. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Or take a week or two and go to Half Moon and then on to Santa Cruz Harbor. Not far from home, easy cruises, but you could experience ocean cruising. Turn the 20 nm to 30 or more if conditions are good just by running a little further off shore than necessary or taking time offshore near San Francisco just to get that view.

    Do you have stabilizers? I ask because they are a huge difference maker for ocean cruising while not as needed inside. It's often the difference in seasickness and in the willingness of some to go again.
  9. MountainGuy

    MountainGuy Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2009
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    138
    Location:
    Austria
    Good reading would be by Steve Dashew, look for his free books at setsail.com
  10. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Location:
    Cherry Hill, NJ
    Hi Rusty , I have a similar boat, older 42' Ocean Yachts Sunliner (not the Sportfish but aft cabin model) I to have to pick my weather windows as she is not the best sea boat. Keep in mind you maybe able to get to your chosen destination with sunny skies and light winds but you have to also keep in mind the return trip back home. like the old adage '' What a difference a day makes'' can and will come into play sometimes.
    You may get there, but it could blow a day or two and keep you from leaving to get home.
    This happened to me last year. Took and nice 16 mile ride across the mouth of Delaware bay where it meets the ocean to a nice spot on the Delaware side for lunch, music and beverages. Perfect weather over. Original plan was just a day trip. But a few drinks , nice weather , etc. we decided to stay over for the night. I really didn't check the weather for the following day, kind of took a glance at it. Though to myself it wont be too bad tomorrow forecast was cloudy with a chance of showers winds 10-20 mph.
    Well next day we tried to cross back over to New Jersey . Bay was ugly . Opposing wind blowing more like 30 + and strong current= short tall chop. We tried but the bottom(water) was dropping out from under the boat even at idle RPM. Slam,slam,and shake. Not good.
    My thin boat can not take that abuse.
    So we stayed another day and went home on Monday, work day for most of us. So missing work was kind of a drag for some of us.

    Just keep in mind the return trip home. You can do it. Enjoy.
    wes hayes likes this.
  11. Danvilletim

    Danvilletim Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2011
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    794
    Location:
    isleton, ca
    It is a challenging area to boat. When we first ventured out we were fairly disappointed in the towns / marinas that were close by. I remember beating our way to bodgea bay in 5-6’ swells ( technically not a bad day) only to be disappointed by the town.

    Eventually we moved the boat to San Diego were the weather was 5x better. Most swells were 2-4’ or flat. And easy cruising to Mission Bay, Catalina, Newport Beach, etc. The wife and kids loved this location.
  12. Rusty Mayes

    Rusty Mayes Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2019
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    56
    Location:
    Sanfransico Bay area
    Thanks all for your insight and advice. I am aware of the fact that the 506 is not the ideal blue water hull and just an interim boat for us. In about 6 years Ill be retired and able spend more time on the boat and not worry about return windows for weather. I think for starters I will watch the weather for days that I am down in the Bay and if it looks good, make a run out the gate past the bar and then down to Pillar point and return to see how the boat feels and handles the conditions. If I am comfortable then I will plan longer excursions up and down the coast from Bodega bay to Monterey. The long game plan is to move to a 60 foot OA or Tolley up in the PNW if boating is still in our blood by then. I am just so bored with what the Bay and Delta have to offer, been every where already so we mainly just use the boat as a condo in Benicia. I am itching to do something different so out the gate we will go.
    Thanks again for the collective wisdom here, I love this site.
    Rusty Mayes
  13. Scott Felstad

    Scott Felstad New Member

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    Jun 7, 2020
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    Location:
    Jacksonville, Florida

    Cannot stop laughing............