how far would you go ?? Caribbean cruising ?

[JotaErre]

I know at least two skippers who have sailed from Mainland Spain to the Balearic Islands (and back) with their Macs... that's about 60 nautical miles of blue Mediterranean water...

[dlandersson]

Sailed - or motored?

I know at least two skippers who have sailed from Mainland Spain to the Balearic Islands (and back) with their Macs... that's about 60 nautical miles of blue Mediterranean water...

[NiceAft]

Here is someone who did it the other way.

Ray

“by jimmy alonso » Tue May 13, 2014 7:14 am
Hi that's my 26M Stella Maris at Saba Rock Virgin Gorda the BVI on day 16 traveled 225 NM so far from Puerto Rico
Currently moored at Norman Island Picture was taken by Jim on Shiraz. I downloaded the sailing app and saw that he posted the picture when the sky's turned dark and stormy.
Went thru some really windy rainy nights.
We use a app from Marine traffic and you can follow or position on that web site.


Re: Sailing to Bimini and then to Berry Islands Bahamas
byLoala » Sat May 10, 2014 3:12 pm
Is the Mac on the left anyone here?

https://www.facebook.com/TheSailingApp/ ... hoto_reply ”

[Azzarac]

Don't forget the legend of MadMike who sailed his Zeno's Arrow to Sri Lanka and up every major river in the world. Haven't heard anything from him for a long while...

[Chinook]

We have been out on 4 occasions for two to two and a half months. Our water capacity for our first Bahamas cruise and the Alaska cruise was 9 gallons, plus the 5 gallon jug for the head sink. Before going to the Sea of Cortez I added a 20 gallon Plastimo triangular bladder under the Vee berth. We're very careful with our water usage, and the two of us can get by on about a gallon per day. Running out of water has never threatened to be a problem. We do fill whenever we get the chance. I brought my backpack water filter with me when we went to Alaska (never used it). I did have to ferry water, using our dinghy and a collapsible jug, while anchored out in the Sea of Cortez. It was a Sunday afternoon, and we found the operator of the local water desalinization plant, who kindly hung out for a couple of hours while I made 4 trips to the anchored boat and back. We paid and tipped her generously for her time. I don't believe a water maker is practical for our boats. They require a significant amount of power to run, and as I say, water hasn't been a problem to find for us in the places we've been.

Keeping the house battery up does present challenges on extended cruises. When sailing extensively, rather than motoring, and when anchored out for multiple days in particularly nice places or while waiting for bad weather to clear out, it's easy to run down the house battery. We have an Engel fridge and a Wallas stove, which requires a battery with a good charge in order to reliably start. I have a pair of 50 watt solar panels, and they do a good job of keeping up with power needs. I also have a digital voltmeter, so I can easily monitor the charge condition of my house batteries. I'm learning to monitor replacement cycle for the house battery better. I limped along for too long with older batteries (I use a pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries), and I despite good care, their ability to hold a charge deteriorated over time.

To extend range, I carry a pair of 12 gallon gas tanks, and can carry up to 15 gallons in plastic jerry containers, on a stern platform (above the steering arms) and under the steering seat. We always seem to overstock on food supplies, and continue to refine our provisioning plans for extended cruises. The other thing we did to extend range is install a composting toilet. Emptying the old porta potty was always a pain, and the composting toilet greatly reduces that problem. I find 2 to 3 months to be a reasonable cruise time frame, with stops along the way for fuel and water. We tend to stop at a marina for showers/laundry every week or two. The solar shower and rinsing out of quick dry garments can extend that time frame. Provisioning stops every couple of weeks is welcome, since it affords replenishment of things like meat, bread, and fresh fruits and veggies. We are still hoping to undertake our year long Great Loop Cruise, which would be approached as a series of 2 month cruises, one after another. We've had some family and health issues pop up which have delayed our start of that cruise, but we're still hoping the right time will come.

[J--]

In my 22? FL Keys.....maybe Bahamas on a dare.

In a well equipped 26S or D? I'd go from Miami to Trinidad!

I'd ditch the gas engine, and get one of those Torqueedo electric motors, a tiller pilot, a bimini, a dodger and a composting pot and a hand cranked water maker. I think the trip is very doable all the way to South America through the windward islands, since really, the longest passage from the map looks to be from Cockburn Town in the Turks to Peurto Plata in the DR of about 125 miles. With careful weather watching, it's a very makeable trip.

Or maybe I'm just daydreaming in my cube.....hoping I don't die in here.....

[dlandersson]

As opposed to dying in the Carribee? Don't forget the pirates. See Cpt'n Ron.

In my 22? FL Keys.....maybe Bahamas on a dare.

In a well equipped 26S or D? I'd go from Miami to Trinidad!

I'd ditch the gas engine, and get one of those Torqueedo electric motors, a tiller pilot, a bimini, a dodger and a composting pot and a hand cranked water maker. I think the trip is very doable all the way to South America through the windward islands, since really, the longest passage from the map looks to be from Cockburn Town in the Turks to Peurto Plata in the DR of about 125 miles. With careful weather watching, it's a very makeable trip.

Or maybe I'm just daydreaming in my cube.....hoping I don't die in here.....

[J--]

Seen it.....and if I get lost, I'll just pull over somewheres and ask for directions!

[bahama bound]

Just drove 400 miles to look at a 36 foot trawler .single diesel
.supposed to burn around.1 gallon a hour @6.5 knots .was a dog .amazing how good pictures can look !

[mrron_tx]

They probably wanted premium pricing for it also I've looked at a few like that....The pic seems to have been taken a long long time ago Ron.

[bahama bound]

Looked great in pics ! I WANT A 32 foot center cockpit Mac x with a after cabin ! Or a 30 foot Mac x based catamaran !

[bahama bound]

Looked great in pics ! I WANT A 32 foot center cockpit Mac x with a after cabin ! Or a 30 foot Mac x based catamaran !

[DaveB]

Been there, done that.
Alberg 35 in 1982 tru 1985 from Cape Cod, Ma.
Left Beaufort ,NC in Nov.1982 to St Thomas a 1250 mile offshore run.
Hit 40 ft. seas 3 days out and lasted 4 days.
Went to most Leeward and Windward Islands and was holed up in Granada just before the Invasion.
Was forced off the Island from Cuba forces and headed to Venenzuila.
Spent 6 mo. in and off Islands and 4 ports including trip to Angel Falls.
Spent return in ports of Purto Rico, Diminica Republic and another 6 Months cruising most of the Bahamas.
Did it with only Girlfriend aboard.
Was great on a very well equipped 35ft boat. Never on my MacX.
Conch Group Mac's have done it and many other Mac's that even made it to Georgetown.
Dave
Note: The Mac's are bathtub local water cruisers. Not designed for blue water sailing.
You will never know until you hit that unexpected storm and have 20 ft. waves that can broach you in a flash and cave in your Bulkhead less sides.
We have never heard about the ones who didn't make it.
Dave

In my 22? FL Keys.....maybe Bahamas on a dare.

In a well equipped 26S or D? I'd go from Miami to Trinidad!

I'd ditch the gas engine, and get one of those Torqueedo electric motors, a tiller pilot, a bimini, a dodger and a composting pot and a hand cranked water maker. I think the trip is very doable all the way to South America through the windward islands, since really, the longest passage from the map looks to be from Cockburn Town in the Turks to Peurto Plata in the DR of about 125 miles. With careful weather watching, it's a very makeable trip.

Or maybe I'm just daydreaming in my cube.....hoping I don't die in here.....

[Three Gypsies]

The Admiral , a little dog named Mac , and Me left Montgomery Alabama , April 2013 ,
arrived in the Keys in September
and then came back home to Montgomery ,
arriving just in time for Thanksgiving .

That was 8 months and 3,500 miles .

In 2012 we spent about 1/2 the year aboard , doing two cruises to the coast .
Each cruise was about a 1000 miles long .

We were in our 2000 26xwith a 50hp Honda

[mastreb]

Looked great in pics ! I WANT A 32 foot center cockpit Mac x with a after cabin ! Or a 30 foot Mac x based catamaran !

Well, there's always this:

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/sailboats/Macgregor