On 1/20/2014 3:23 PM, Wayne.B wrote:

===

Yes. You have to go outside down the New Jersey coast but that is a
one day run for most people, and it's easy to wait at Atlantic
Highlands for a suitable weather window. After that everything is
deep water to Norfolk, VA. South of Norfolk there are large tug
boats and motor yachts that navigate all the way to Moorehead City, NC
which is the traditional jumping off spot for Bermuda.


I've done it south of Hampton.

I guess I strayed off my point that I made the same decision as these
guys did when faced with the same conditions at the same time of year. I
too hit some of these 'noreaster things and while the going wasn't
pleasant, I, single handing a 42' Tayana with no auto pilot, managed and
didn't consider myself a hero for having done so.

IMO, the difference was that my boat didn't disassemble in moderately
heavy weather as this one did. Had I faced the structural issues these
guys did, I may not have survived. The key isn't the weather or decision
but the integrity of the vessel.

On Tue, 21 Jan 2014 08:25:16 -0700, slide wrote:

The key isn't the weather or decision
but the integrity of the vessel.

===

You're right about that but I'd argue against testing the integrity of
the boat if you don't need to. Even well built boats have an
increased probability of trouble in storm force conditions. The ocean
has a way of finding the weak spots.

Another well known issue is that the boats tend to be stronger than
the people. I've been on two different boats where owners broke ribs
after being tossed across the cabin down below.

On 1/21/2014 10:07 PM, Wayne.B wrote:
On Tue, 21 Jan 2014 08:25:16 -0700, slide wrote:

The key isn't the weather or decision
but the integrity of the vessel.

===

You're right about that but I'd argue against testing the integrity of
the boat if you don't need to. Even well built boats have an
increased probability of trouble in storm force conditions. The ocean
has a way of finding the weak spots.

Another well known issue is that the boats tend to be stronger than
the people. I've been on two different boats where owners broke ribs
after being tossed across the cabin down below.

Good point there. I have a chipped front tooth from one of my trips
across the cabin.