Comments on: Crossing The Atlantic In A 32-foot Boat http://www.morganscloud.com/2010/06/21/trans-atlantic-in-a-32-foot-boat/ The Offshore Voyaging Reference Site Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:05:55 +0000 hourly 1 By: Chris http://www.morganscloud.com/2010/06/21/trans-atlantic-in-a-32-foot-boat/comment-page-1/#comment-9251 Chris Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:20:22 +0000 http://www.morganscloud.com/whatisnew/?p=401#comment-9251 Hi William, I am somewhat new to sailing (ASA 104 qual. on a 43 footer and J24 and small cat sailing) with a similar background to yourself from the sounds of it. Been doing whitewater/rock climbing/mountaineering/backcountry skiing for ~35yrs. so I have some combination of common sense/good luck. Would like to pursue more sailing challenges but live in Utah, have no boat and am not independently wealthy. Although a microbiologist by profession, I have also done metal work, carpentry, cabinet making, fiberglass work and am currently re-wiring my house. If you could provide info/suggestions on how to acquire an older boat, fix it up and acquire the skills necessary to venture out a little further I would sincerely appreciate it. Thanks in advance for any tidbits you would like to share. Chris Hi William,
I am somewhat new to sailing (ASA 104 qual. on a 43 footer and J24 and small cat sailing) with a similar background to yourself from the sounds of it. Been doing whitewater/rock climbing/mountaineering/backcountry skiing for ~35yrs. so I have some combination of common sense/good luck. Would like to pursue more sailing challenges but live in Utah, have no boat and am not independently wealthy. Although a microbiologist by profession, I have also done metal work, carpentry, cabinet making, fiberglass work and am currently re-wiring my house. If you could provide info/suggestions on how to acquire an older boat, fix it up and acquire the skills necessary to venture out a little further I would sincerely appreciate it. Thanks in advance for any tidbits you would like to share.
Chris

]]> By: Craig http://www.morganscloud.com/2010/06/21/trans-atlantic-in-a-32-foot-boat/comment-page-1/#comment-9141 Craig Tue, 02 Aug 2011 01:55:01 +0000 http://www.morganscloud.com/whatisnew/?p=401#comment-9141 The stainless steel winch towers could be stiffened quite a bit by putting a web or strut oriented athwartships. I have thought the same about ribs for the cabin trunk and straps for the windows. The CC32 sails great off the wind so a trip from the US over would be fun. The stainless steel winch towers could be stiffened quite a bit by putting a web or strut oriented athwartships. I have thought the same about ribs for the cabin trunk and straps for the windows. The CC32 sails great off the wind so a trip from the US over would be fun.

]]> By: William D'Emilio http://www.morganscloud.com/2010/06/21/trans-atlantic-in-a-32-foot-boat/comment-page-1/#comment-5818 William D'Emilio Wed, 11 May 2011 21:12:49 +0000 http://www.morganscloud.com/whatisnew/?p=401#comment-5818 Thanks for your input guys...It is valuable reflection material at least...life saving info at best!! The local yacht club wants me to race it...which should aid my efficiency...however John may have a better idea so I'm keeping my eye open for a 42' Comanche & some talented sailing friends for a Euro trip !! !! Thanks for your input guys…It is valuable reflection material at least…life saving info at best!! The local yacht club wants me to race it…which should aid my efficiency…however John may have a better idea so I’m keeping my eye open for a 42′ Comanche & some talented sailing friends for a Euro trip !! !!

]]> By: John http://www.morganscloud.com/2010/06/21/trans-atlantic-in-a-32-foot-boat/comment-page-1/#comment-5255 John Sat, 23 Apr 2011 04:28:34 +0000 http://www.morganscloud.com/whatisnew/?p=401#comment-5255 I have owned a Cherokee 32 for the past 8 years. Definitely a well founded boat. Weak points would be any steel support structures like the mast step and keel mounting structure. I agree with the concern re large aft windows. I recall seeing one that was converted to portholes of similar size to those forward (improved appearance as well). As you mentioned yours was converted to wheel steering, carefully examine the condition of the steering hardware and mounting. Bring the original tiller and hardware as back up. The original low aspect rudder loads up and stalls quite easily when the boat is even modestly overpowered. This will make use of an autopilot challenging. I have single handed it in breeze up to 20 knots and find it quite comfortable provided that you don't have too much sail up. I haven't had it in seas greater than 6 ft and I am not sure I would want to. I have had a tough time making more than 65 nautical miles in a day of coastal cruising with the boat which makes for some rather harsh math for an ocean crossing. While I also enjoy warm water sailing I am not sure I would take the southern route you describe I would go for the Maine, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, France route. It would keep your stretches offshore to less than a week. I wouldn't do the trip in my Cherokee...maybe in a Swan 46 with 5 talented sailing friends. :) I have been sailing and racing I have owned a Cherokee 32 for the past 8 years. Definitely a well founded boat. Weak points would be any steel support structures like the mast step and keel mounting structure. I agree with the concern re large aft windows. I recall seeing one that was converted to portholes of similar size to those forward (improved appearance as well). As you mentioned yours was converted to wheel steering, carefully examine the condition of the steering hardware and mounting. Bring the original tiller and hardware as back up.
The original low aspect rudder loads up and stalls quite easily when the boat is even modestly overpowered. This will make use of an autopilot challenging. I have single handed it in breeze up to 20 knots and find it quite comfortable provided that you don’t have too much sail up. I haven’t had it in seas greater than 6 ft and I am not sure I would want to. I have had a tough time making more than 65 nautical miles in a day of coastal cruising with the boat which makes for some rather harsh math for an ocean crossing.
While I also enjoy warm water sailing I am not sure I would take the southern route you describe I would go for the Maine, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, France route. It would keep your stretches offshore to less than a week. I wouldn’t do the trip in my Cherokee…maybe in a Swan 46 with 5 talented sailing friends. :)

I have been sailing and racing

]]> By: Jeff http://www.morganscloud.com/2010/06/21/trans-atlantic-in-a-32-foot-boat/comment-page-1/#comment-2834 Jeff Sat, 04 Dec 2010 23:28:04 +0000 http://www.morganscloud.com/whatisnew/?p=401#comment-2834 You want boat balanced and most of the weight in the center. Weight in the ends will increase the momentum when the boat pitches. However, when I rebuilt my Cherokee I put the house batteries under the V-berth knowing that the cp lockers and galley/ice box will get extra heavy during cruising. The stock ice box is pretty poor and I used it as dry locker. I converted the quarter berth to a propane locker and new custom made ice box. (20lb box ice lasted over 2 weeks) You want boat balanced and most of the weight in the center. Weight in the ends will increase the momentum when the boat pitches. However, when I rebuilt my Cherokee I put the house batteries under the V-berth knowing that the cp lockers and galley/ice box will get extra heavy during cruising.
The stock ice box is pretty poor and I used it as dry locker. I converted the quarter berth to a propane locker and new custom made ice box. (20lb box ice lasted over 2 weeks)

]]> By: william demilio http://www.morganscloud.com/2010/06/21/trans-atlantic-in-a-32-foot-boat/comment-page-1/#comment-2828 william demilio Sat, 04 Dec 2010 20:25:16 +0000 http://www.morganscloud.com/whatisnew/?p=401#comment-2828 indeed it is a lesson well taken...going overboard on supplies could end you up overboard...fresh water seemed the most critical and heavy...one fellow i know pulled his motor and fuel tanks..for more water tanks !! of course a water maker is an expensive option...but i don't want to put more into her than she is worth !! is midship the best place for ballast ?? too far forward she would plow the waves..far aft she would buck them..n'est pas ?? indeed it is a lesson well taken…going overboard on supplies could end you up overboard…fresh water seemed the most critical and heavy…one fellow i know pulled his motor and fuel tanks..for more water tanks !! of course a water maker is an expensive option…but i don’t want to put more into her than she is worth !! is midship the best place for ballast ?? too far forward she would plow the waves..far aft she would buck them..n’est pas ??

]]> By: simon http://www.morganscloud.com/2010/06/21/trans-atlantic-in-a-32-foot-boat/comment-page-1/#comment-2826 simon Sat, 04 Dec 2010 20:04:44 +0000 http://www.morganscloud.com/whatisnew/?p=401#comment-2826 John makes a very important observation about the danger of overloading these small boats. I did exactly that and it took me from California to the Chesapeake to really realise it. The boat was significantly easier to sail after I jettisoned an awful lot of 'stuff ', I could feel the difference...My boat was smaller and lighter built than the CC32, but it is something to bear in mind. John makes a very important observation about the danger of overloading these small boats. I did exactly that and it took me from California to the Chesapeake to really realise it. The boat was significantly easier to sail after I jettisoned an awful lot of ‘stuff ‘, I could feel the difference…My boat was smaller and lighter built than the CC32, but it is something to bear in mind.

]]> By: william demilio http://www.morganscloud.com/2010/06/21/trans-atlantic-in-a-32-foot-boat/comment-page-1/#comment-2824 william demilio Sat, 04 Dec 2010 19:05:06 +0000 http://www.morganscloud.com/whatisnew/?p=401#comment-2824 oh boy simon...looks like you are exactly what i was avoiding becoming...another MBTB (see above) adventurer !! LOL... no insults intended...hindsight being perfect..what would you do different now ?? and as for kidding myself about my own abilities ?? well...40 years ago i wouldn't have blinked an eye at such an attempt...but i'm not a fool...so i work hard to try and compensate for shortcomings...by being prepared !! oh boy simon…looks like you are exactly what i was avoiding becoming…another MBTB (see above) adventurer !! LOL… no insults intended…hindsight being perfect..what would you do different now ?? and as for kidding myself about my own abilities ?? well…40 years ago i wouldn’t have blinked an eye at such an attempt…but i’m not a fool…so i work hard to try and compensate for shortcomings…by being prepared !!

]]> By: william demilio http://www.morganscloud.com/2010/06/21/trans-atlantic-in-a-32-foot-boat/comment-page-1/#comment-2823 william demilio Sat, 04 Dec 2010 18:54:54 +0000 http://www.morganscloud.com/whatisnew/?p=401#comment-2823 ahhh...thanks for the perspective..i should have known better than to take the brochure on face value !! seems they called it a "blue water racer"..but "...old fashioned sports car" may be more accurate !! i know the president of S&S so i'll query him on levels of load and placement...but that is why i was looking at a solo sail...less supplies needed for one person !! i'm not obsessed with the trip..or the boat...i've managed to stay busy on land for long enough !! i'm not averse to risk..but i'm not a swashbuckling captain...life ain't the movies !!! ahhh…thanks for the perspective..i should have known better than to take the brochure on face value !! seems they called it a “blue water racer”..but “…old fashioned sports car” may be more accurate !! i know the president of S&S so i’ll query him on levels of load and placement…but that is why i was looking at a solo sail…less supplies needed for one person !! i’m not obsessed with the trip..or the boat…i’ve managed to stay busy on land for long enough !! i’m not averse to risk..but i’m not a swashbuckling captain…life ain’t the movies !!!

]]> By: william demilio http://www.morganscloud.com/2010/06/21/trans-atlantic-in-a-32-foot-boat/comment-page-1/#comment-2822 william demilio Sat, 04 Dec 2010 18:40:25 +0000 http://www.morganscloud.com/whatisnew/?p=401#comment-2822 do go on...i appreciate the specificity you can add !! the areas you mentioned were also a concern to me...recently an-ex coast guard surveyer took the time to look my cc32 over...he also mentioned some of the items you mentioned...but it has a sound hull !! as for the large windows..have thicker plexi and steel straps to reinforce those areas !! and was also looking to reinforce the cabin trunk with ribbing...so looks like i'm on the right track !! how would you beef up the winch towers ?? thanks for your response !! do go on…i appreciate the specificity you can add !! the areas you mentioned were also a concern to me…recently an-ex coast guard surveyer took the time to look my cc32 over…he also mentioned some of the items you mentioned…but it has a sound hull !! as for the large windows..have thicker plexi and steel straps to reinforce those areas !! and was also looking to reinforce the cabin trunk with ribbing…so looks like i’m on the right track !! how would you beef up the winch towers ?? thanks for your response !!

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