On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 07:54:21 -0400, "Skip Gundlach"
wrote:

Not yet
decided; we'll either do a one- or two-jump (all the usual
disclaimers/allowances) trip (Charleston maybe if not direct) to Miami
when we leave here (Atlantic Highlands)...

This is not a good time of year for heroic offshore passages. In
addition to the hurricane threat there are a steady stream of frontal
systems coming off the coast and the occasional fall gale.

A far more prudent route is to head back to the northern Chesapeake
and take your time working south until late October. You really do
*not* want to be caught "out there" in a 3 day nor'easter. They move
up the coast with incredible speed.

"Wayne.B" wrote

This is not a good time of year for heroic offshore passages.

Excellent advice. My first experience offshore was in early October. We
blew the mainsail out below the first reef three hours out of Newport. We
blew out a sail every night and I sewed for hours. I saw the 100 foot North
Sea pilot schooner completely underwater at one point with just two masts
sticking above the sea. The steel foremast was found cracked half way
around from the impact shortly after she docked in Bermuda.

--
Roger Long

On 2008-09-17 11:03:08 -0400, Wayne.B said:

On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 07:54:21 -0400, "Skip Gundlach"
wrote:

Not yet decided; we'll either do a one- or two-jump (all the usual
disclaimers/allowances) trip (Charleston maybe if not direct) to Miami
when we leave here (Atlantic Highlands)...

This is not a good time of year for heroic offshore passages. In
addition to the hurricane threat there are a steady stream of frontal
systems coming off the coast and the occasional fall gale.

A far more prudent route is to head back to the northern Chesapeake and
take your time working south until late October. You really do *not*
want to be caught "out there" in a 3 day nor'easter. They move up the
coast with incredible speed.

I second that sentiment and add that Hattaras can blow up in any given
hour this time of year.

At a minimum, bounce down to Beaufort and take off from there. Have
another of those steaks along the way.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-à-Deux -- Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/