Sailing offshore can be the thrill of a lifetime, but boat preparations—well, not so exhilarating. In addition to a structurally sound hull and stable rig, onboard there must be enough equipment for the crew to independently handle severe weather, equipment failures, and unexpected emergencies. Especially for first-timers it can be daunting, costly, and time-consuming. Yet, talk to any experienced offshore sailor, and they’ll tell you without hesitation that meticulous preparations are well worth the time and effort.
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Peter Dudley, Will Passano (at helm) Alex Passano, and Zach Goldberg aboard Will Passano's J/37 Carina during the 2015 Annapolis to Newport race. Photo by Ted Steeble[/caption]
“Offshore sailing is a totally different animal than going around the buoys on the Bay,” says seasoned offshore racer Rick Born, who has under his belt six Newport Bermuda Races aboard his J/120 Windborn, 10 Annapolis to Newport Races, and many other offshore passages, as well as four decades of big boat ownership.
“Sailing the Chesapeake is benign in comparison. Offshore there’s more wind and bigger waves, which can be really fun if you have confidence in the boat. Since conditions offshore often last for long periods of time, everything needs to be heavier duty. A thunderstorm with 40-knot winds might last 20 minutes on the Bay, but could go on for 12 hours offshore. Over time the stresses and chafing can lead to equipment failure on a boat that’s not properly prepared.”
Maybe we’re stating the obvious, but let’s start here anyway. Make sure your vessel is offshore capable. Not all boats are. Coastal cruisers interested in testing the waters offshore should make certain their inshore cruising vessel is really up to the demands that will be placed on them. Born suggests getting the opinion of a surveyor and other experienced offshore sailors. Check in with your insurance agent too, who will also have an opinion, and with whom you must verify that your coverage extends offshore.
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Murray Leigh, Will Passano, Scott Schluederberg (reclining), Peter Dudley, Zach Goldberg (at helm), and Alex Passano aboard Will Passono's J/35 Carina during the 2015 Annapolis to Newport race. Photo by Ted Steeble[/caption]
Safety is a skipper’s number one priority, so safety prep should begin with the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations (OSR), which govern offshore racing for monohulls and multihulls, structural features, yacht equipment, personal equipment and training. These are requirements for offshore racers, but they’re good guidelines for cruisers, too. The regulations are updated every two years, and the latest edition can be found here. Fair warning: they can be cumbersome to read and interpret, but there are several places to look for translation.
U.S. Sailing’s Safety at Sea Committee’s more streamlined version can be found here. Another more easily digested guide, with links to FAQ’s and worthwhile offshore tips, can be found at the 2016 Newport to Bermuda Race website. Find another at the 2016 A2B race website guide. Finally, cruisers can use these guides too, or look to similar lists put out by rally organizers, such as the one put out by the World Cruising Club .
When it comes to electronics and communications systems, there are options, but a satellite phone can’t be beat. “A sat-phone will allow you to call the Coast Guard and explain your situation or problem, reach a doctor for an injury or illness, or get the latest weather forecast,” says Born, who’s found offshore Internet communications to be unreliable due to the difficulty in maintaining a decent signal.
No safety list would be complete without some type of personal safety device for a man-overboard situation. Technology in this area has made great strides over the years, and today it’s generally agreed that everyone should wear an AIS device. As Born puts it, “with an EPIRB they will find your body, but with AIS (which sends your location to your own vessel and nearby vessels with AIS technology), your crew will likely recover you alive.”
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Murray Leigh, Dave Baxter, and Scott Schluederberg (at helm) aboard the J/35 Carina during the 2015 Annapolis to Newport race. Photo by Ted Steeble[/caption]
Switching away from that depressing but unlikely scenario, let’s discuss the boat’s engine. “Sooner or later, you’re going to have engine problems, so expect it,” says Born. “Bring belts and replacement parts, and make sure you have a crew member capable of dealing with those kinds of repairs. Because big ocean waves cause bouncing that stirs up junk from the bottom of the fuel tanks, bring plenty of fuel filters.”
Moving above decks to sails and rigging, Born says, “An offshore sail inventory is different than a Bay inventory. All sails need to be heavier and, because of big sea bow spray, jibs need a raised clew. A jibtop can be your best friend when reaching in a breeze. Your sailmaker can help you here and can make you up a sail repair kit, which most likely will be used. If your boat has some age on it, an inspection by an experienced rigger is a good idea. Your insurance company may ask that you do this (among other things) when you request additional coverage for going offshore.
Begin early! You’ve probably figured out that you’re going to need a lot of items, some of which you probably never thought about for causal Bay sailing. On a properly prepared boat, you’ll not only be able to address a leaky through-hull, you’ll also be able to create an emergency tiller and steering options in the event you lose your rudder. It takes time to collect all those items. Think harnesses, tethers, jacklines, emergency water, life raft, tools, special flares, ocean anchor, replacement parts, and more.
Many items, such as the sat-phone, ocean anchor, and life raft, can be rented. This is a good option for racers who only go offshore once every year or two. For safety items, buy the best you can afford. Or as Born puts it, “Buy the good stuff. When the chips are down and you’re relying on a piece of equipment, you’re going to want the best.”
