Lessons Learned

We have been asked to comment on what we wish we had known before we left so we put our heads together and came up with this:

1.    We experienced miserable conditions along the Washington/Oregon coast and the other northwest boats in the rally concur.  The fog was dense, wet, and cold and the seas were rough.  We do not have a full cockpit enclosure but many of the cruising boats do, and it would have been nice.

2.    Movement, moisture and corrosion cause equipment failure:  electronics, navigation lights, navigation systems, and alternators, lines chafe and fuel lines clog.

3.    Have several weather sources to confirm forecasts and conditions.  We downloaded weather via Sailmail from our SSB, and listened to NWS via VHF.  We also have a friend with the Marine Traffic Weather app on her iphone who texted forecast conditions to us when we were within cell phone range of land. She was invaluable. Everyone needs a friend like Joan.

4.    We rounded Cape Flattery and set a course 40 miles offshore.  After encountering severe weather, we changed course and headed for the coast.  It took us ten hours to reach the safety of a harbor.  After that experience, we stayed three to five miles offshore for a more comfortable ride, the ability to duck into a harbor if conditions changed and to obtain local weather information via VHF.

5.    Dedicated winches for all sails.  In San Francisco we added a winch for the trysail roller furl.

6.    We have motored more than we have sailed so carry plenty of fuel. We carry 57 gallons in the tank and 25 gallons in jerry cans.   

7.   The most common equipment failure in the fleet has been auto pilots. Our Autohelm 6000 is still working, but plenty of rally boats had problems because their system was too small to control the boat in heavy seas or experienced mechanical failure.

8.    Many boats took on extra crew members who abandoned ship in various ports when they became fed up with conditions either down below or out on the water leaving the captains scrambling to find new crew.  We did not take on extra crew and we are still happy co-captains.  Overnight cruising can be exhausting but we prefer to buckle down and get through it – just the two of us. 

9.    From Seattle to San Diego, we split our time 50/50 between anchoraging out and docking in marinas.  We spent five nights at sea.

We're sure to learn more on the next leg of our cruise!