Is Cruising Alone okay?

[jawgster]

Hi,

I have no experience, but I want to crusie the Caribbean islands - somebody mentioned I shouldn't do it alone but they didn't give the reason(s).

Can anybody tell me why I shouldn't cruise alone? Or is it okay?

 

[hlb]

Is that right. You want to sail the Caribean with no experience, and on your own??

Sounds much better than taking anyone with you.

 

[byron]

I have cruised all my life single handed. However a few years back, maybe because of advancing years, the Insurance company put a 15 hour restriction on me. That didn't worry me as my real long distance stuff is long gone.
Personally I prefer being alone. If I feel like getting up at some ungodly hour and legging it to elsewhere I don't have to think about other people. Similarly I came and went to whatever destination I chose.
Selfish? Yup! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[jawgster]

I have a question about sleeping - when you sleep, if you are on a long journey (say 1000 miles straight line) can you just leave the motor running and continue cruising while you sleep? Or must you stop? Thanks.

 

[Powersalt]

1000 miles straight line non stop. wow some fuel tank.

 

[hlb]

I'd pull into the nearest Texaco station.

 

[adrianm]

[ QUOTE ]
1000 miles straight line non stop. wow some fuel tank.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, I can do 2,500 miles in a straight line. Not that I'd want to, especially alone with no experience.

 

[SteveJ]

I am in the Caribbean (tortola) what size boatr have you got?

 

[Powersalt]

thats me ..off to the caribbean on monday for a week.

 

[jawgster]

So... is it acceptable to sleep while the boat is cruising?
Thanks.

 

[jerryat]

HI,

I cruised the Caribbean from Grenada to Antigua on my own on my last trip and had a great time. But I had sailed through the islands before so was well used to them. I was also able to take a break from the boat by staying with friends of mine who live in Antigua.

There is absolutely no reason for anyone not to cruise them alone as far as I'm concerned, assuming they are experienced and can handle the boat safely.

You do not have the experience, which is a fundamental requirement anywhere IMHO, so that is enough for me to say don't.

Why not try and arrange for more experienced friends to join you for 2-3 weeks at a time, so that you gain from their knowledge and they get a superb holiday?

I have a sailing boat and it MAY be a little different for a mobo, but I doubt it.

 

[[2068]]

Problem is, you're the skipper, and you are responsible for keeping a watch all of the time, which is kind of difficult if you're asleep.

Single handed round the world racers do it by getting 2-3 hours sleep at a time, setting radar and proximity alarms, not near any shipping lanes, and hoping for the best.

dv.

 

[hlb]

Ah but there not alone. They have a whole army of a back up team.

 

[[2068]]

True. Insurance would also be an issue: mine covers cruising alone during daylight hours only. Cruising at night alone and asleep would not be covered.

Also not sure if I'm feeding the trolls here, or not...

dv.

 

[tcm]

the general rulewsof the sea stupiulate that you must keep a lookout. Provided that you do that (so not driving along in a mobo whilst asleep) then alone is ok. Obvious risk of IF anything happens but i spose just be careful, or a bit more careful, cos nody around to help out.

No experience. Hm. Well, really need to er get some experience. Get a mate or rent an instructor until you fel confident.

 

[Lakesailor]

Feeding frenzy.

 

[jawgster]

I appreciate all the answers - I'll try and get some lessons and/or experience before going it alone. It sounds like stopping at night is the proper thing to do while sleeping. I don't have a boat yet but something like the Krogen 39 appeals because it has a range of 1650 miles @ 8 knots - and over 4000 miles @ 6 knots. I'll be on the lookout at the Miami Boat Show in a couple of weeks for that kind of boat or even something smaller with a decent range (say 1000 miles) Thanks. John.

 

[hlb]

Ah. So you do at least know a little bit. But keeping it secret. For all we know. You might have had a speed boat, outboard and jerry can. Very few Mobo's have 1000 miles range.

But still dont think I'd attempt it, with out a good deal of experience. Can you navigate. Understand weather patterns. Mend an engine. Be able to look at a radar picture and know there is going to be nothing in the way whilst you sleep.

 

[Kilter]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd pull into the nearest Texaco station.

[/ QUOTE ]

Now don't be silly! You know very well that you should drop a sea anchor, raise a black ball and/or an anchor light when you need a kip! Oh...and if you snog a mermaid you'll sleep deeper! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Renegade_Master]

Is this a wind up?

No rules state you must always have a look out.

If you were cruising in daylight and it suddenly became foggy would you leave it on autopilot and go to bed?