Jester Challenge 2014

R

runswick2000

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Swanage
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Hi all, I'm new here but have spent a few years now watching goings on in the Jester Challenge world (and read Rogers books). There is a faint possibility that I might feel brave enough to step off the conveyor belt for a few months in 2014 to take part in the 2014 Jester Challenge. However, I don't seem to be able to find much information about it (timings etc), can anyone point me in the right direction?

Also, my budget will be extremely limited, indeed, there is no budget, so will have to do some serious scrounging/borrowing...so a question: would say £10,000 cover it? Perhaps a GK24 needing work for £5k then another £5k for repairs, modifications and some stores? I'm just testing the water really so any advice or suggestions would be welcomed.

Many thanks

John
 
JC2014

Hi John,

Well done, you've made the first step towards your goal by thinking that it might, just, be possible. Whatever your budget, it's never enough - prince or pauper, it's always a struggle! But if you decide to do it anyway, it'll all fall into place eventually. That's the first Challenge. The second is to get 'er indoors to agree: the third to get the boss to agree. The fourth challenge is to get the boat to the start line, ready to go: the rest is the easy - and most enjoyable - bit.
I work in the marine trade, so with the benefit of experience I would suggest that there are lots of boats that would potentially make good JCers on a modest budget: Folkboat, Hustler 25.5, Sadler 25, Albin Vega, Cutless 27, UFO 27, Hurley 27, Offshore 8m, T24, T29, GK24, GK29, Javelin to name but a few. Some command high secondhand prices (eg Twister, Sadler 26, Trintella 29) and some don't (eg Cutless 27, Offshore 8m, T24). Some are lightweight coastal flyers and some are heavy displacement bluewater boats, whatever suits your particular comfort zone. The older the boat, the more the potential for expenditure, so you need to factor in replacement rigging, sails etc. New masts are prohibitively expensive, as are new engines, but you can always sail with an outboard if the boat is small enough. So concentrate on the basics: rig, sails, hull integrity, good deck gear, and don't worry too much about the cosmetics. Rubbish cosmetics and interior can easily be sorted and won't stop you sailing. I would add that in my opinion, it's difficult to carry the weight of food, water and basic offshore gear in anything much less than 25 ft LOA without overloading the boat. Some will disagree, and in fairness I have huge admiration for the minimalist approach - each to his own.
Finally I would say, don't be put off by asking prices and don't hesitate to make an offer if you feel it's the right boat - you might be pleasantly surprised!
Good luck,
Duncan
 
runswick2000 said:
Hi all, I'm new here but have spent a few years now watching goings on in the Jester Challenge world (and read Rogers books). There is a faint possibility that I might feel brave enough to step off the conveyor belt for a few months in 2014 to take part in the 2014 Jester Challenge. However, I don't seem to be able to find much information about it (timings etc), can anyone point me in the right direction?

Also, my budget will be extremely limited, indeed, there is no budget, so will have to do some serious scrounging/borrowing...so a question: would say £10,000 cover it? Perhaps a GK24 needing work for £5k then another £5k for repairs, modifications and some stores? I'm just testing the water really so any advice or suggestions would be welcomed.

Many thanks

John
Click to expand...

John they usually set off around the end of May from Plymouth, no doubt the exact date will be published nearer the time. You can take as long as you lke to complete the journey.

As for boats there is an endless list of capable secondhand vessels, much will depend on your own needs for comfort, sailing performance etc as to which type you may go for, and like the endless list of boats the prices will vary greatly. Sometimes buying one that needs little or no work (there's always some work) is more economical than buying a wreck.

Some well looked after boats on here: http://www.hurleyownersassociation.co.uk/pages/forsale.htm
 
Time wise its a guess, look at previous years, but 35 - 40 days in a boat of your budget would be a good basis to calculate time. If its a beating year, it could be more and a reaching year less. June has on average 13 days calm on Grand Banks from memory.

7 days in Newport is enough, its not cheap, Then its back via the azores with a weeks stop
You will need a week or more at the start to socialise, make final preperations etc and there is delivery time to the start.

My OSTAR trip was leave the office 16th May, to be at start a week early, trip , stay in Newport, sail home via Azores, (in my case via Canada as crew did not USA vias in time it took 4 months!) arrive in Penzance 4th August, then about a week in office talking and then a week's holiday to bring the boat home !!

Wife was happy to have 3 months with no need to nag, work survived without me ! but they did not rearly grasp that i would walk out of the office and not be incontact at all. Jobs at home were not done in my absence so the list is longer.

I think you will need some days at sea before the start so a weeks prep would be good. I know sme prople leave work on Friday and start ocean passages on Sunday, but if you have not had at least 2 nights at sea, its tough for the first 5 days.
 
Thanks everyone for all of this incredibly helpful advice. Duncan; HQ is happy for me to do it so that's the first box ticked! I start a new job in September so the boss will take some convincing, however...he doesn't have to remain my boss!

As for the boat, well, I am intending to get started on this now, perhaps buy a boat this year and then get some time spent preparing her. I have a tame rigger and sailmaker so ought to be able to create a sailable boat.

Sailor211, thanks for the heads up on timescales; as I'm a teacher it all fits fairly neatly into the summer term and holidays so with an understanding head it should be possible.

As for the money...where there's a will there's a way?
 
with you being a school teacher, I wonder what the benefits may be of fully involving the school and more importantly the children would be in your adventure.
The cross curricular activities could involve...
Geography, chart/map reading, physics, design,environmental studies,dietry needs etc. etc.
To also set up your Jester attempt on an even more community spirited level, perhaps to be involved in raising awaremess and funds for a local childrens charity would be of all round benefit?
 
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John
Best of luck with your planning. The sailing instructions and entry list have already been published, although maybe only to people who have entered. I am fourth on the list at the moment.
 
Myk said:
John
Best of luck with your planning. The sailing instructions and entry list have already been published, although maybe only to people who have entered. I am fourth on the list at the moment.
Click to expand...

I think that's only the JAC 2012. The OP is looking at the JC 2014. At least I hope so as my name is on the list and I have no intention of crossing the Atlantic!
 
Wunja said:
I think that's only the JAC 2012. The OP is looking at the JC 2014. At least I hope so as my name is on the list and I have no intention of crossing the Atlantic!
Click to expand...

No both lists are published. The 2014 JC has probably only been sent to people who have expressed an interest, it's not on the web site.
 
I'm still looking at the 2014. Having a VERY frustrating year so far with a new job. Wish I'd stayed in the old one, I didn't like it but at least I got time to sail and could afford the upgrades required.
Will remortgage my house if I have to in order to make the start line but I'd rather not do that obviously.
I can look on the bright side though, the boat is 100x better than when I bought her and thats after 1 season of working on her and also getting some miles done in order to find out what works and what doesn't.

Good luck with your own plans. See you in Plymouth!
 
Invicta 26

You might also want to investigate the Invicta 26 as a potential boat. Designed by Van de Stadt, she is a wonderful sea boat. Surprisingly cheap too.
After owning a Corribee for 7 years, I bought one last year after looking at Contessa 26s, but you can't stand up in the Contessa, whereas you can in the Invicta. And if they don't outsail the Contessa, the Contessa won't outsail the Invicta either!
And they generally go for about half the price of a Contessa.
I've been very, very happy with the Invicta - feel very safe in her, and if I could, would be very happy to sail her across the Atlantic.
 
Or take a peek at Zagato's Folksong... Small but lovely, & the class have Jestered too!
(am sure he won't mind me plugging it here).
 
Runswick2000, how are your plans coming on?

I'm keen to try and make the start line, although I have a boat which will need alot of prep, I've not really got a budget only what I can save before the start. It's a bit of a long shot but I think it's the challenge I need. Anyhow I'm in Poole, I see you are Swanage. Would love to hear your plans.

Thanks Jim
 
Jester Challenge in a class room

Scotty_Tradewind said:
with you being a school teacher, I wonder what the benefits may be of fully involving the school and more importantly the children would be in your adventure.
The cross curricular activities could involve...
Geography, chart/map reading, physics, design,environmental studies,dietry needs etc. etc.
To also set up your Jester attempt on an even more community spirited level, perhaps to be involved in raising awaremess and funds for a local childrens charity would be of all round benefit?
Click to expand...

When I sailed the Jester Challenge, ages ago, on my daughter's class computer they had a tracking window for the boat. I also had a email chat with the classroom.
Eric
 
sailor211 said:
Time wise its a guess, look at previous years, but 35 - 40 days in a boat of your budget would be a good basis to calculate time. If its a beating year, it could be more and a reaching year less. June has on average 13 days calm on Grand Banks from memory.

7 days in Newport is enough, its not cheap, Then its back via the azores with a weeks stop
You will need a week or more at the start to socialise, make final preperations etc and there is delivery time to the start.

My OSTAR trip was leave the office 16th May, to be at start a week early, trip , stay in Newport, sail home via Azores, (in my case via Canada as crew did not USA vias in time it took 4 months!) arrive in Penzance 4th August, then about a week in office talking and then a week's holiday to bring the boat home !!

Wife was happy to have 3 months with no need to nag, work survived without me ! but they did not rearly grasp that i would walk out of the office and not be incontact at all. Jobs at home were not done in my absence so the list is longer.

I think you will need some days at sea before the start so a weeks prep would be good. I know sme prople leave work on Friday and start ocean passages on Sunday, but if you have not had at least 2 nights at sea, its tough for the first 5 days.
Click to expand...

You seem to suggest that the trip does not take much longer than a trip round UK
I have only just started reading this thread & am not sure about the outward- & just as important-- return trip routes
Can someone direct me to some of the posts that address this issue
Finally, would a 31 ft boat be excluded?
Thanks
 
Routes.

Daydream believer said:
You seem to suggest that the trip does not take much longer than a trip round UK
I have only just started reading this thread & am not sure about the outward- & just as important-- return trip routes
Can someone direct me to some of the posts that address this issue

Thanks
Click to expand...

I would recommend the RCCP Atlantic Crossing Guide. Your local library should have a copy, though it might not be the latest edition. Also the monthly routing charts are very informative. You can dowload the NOAA one for all oceans free: http://www.offshoreblue.com/navigation/pilot-charts.php The same site also have planning guides and other useful publications. Remember though that the weather charts are based on previous weather, not necessarily the same as future weather, but a good place to start.

Enjoy the planning

Len
 
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