On Tue, 27 Apr 2004 01:47:16 GMT, "
wrote:
Need some advice on safety equipment for sailing a little offshore. Our
plan is to charter a boat and sail out of New York for about 200 miles than
come back. The idea is to gain some offshore experience but without taking
too much risk.

There will be six of us, three experienced coastal sailors and three
beginners. I have done a little racing offshore (Newport to Bermuda) and
some limited heavy weather sailing but that's it.

The 42' boat will be fairly well equipped with a lifesling, harnesses
etc. but without a few essential items: liferaft, SSB radio, EPIRB, 2nd
VHF. Can we manage without these? We intend to be at sea for only 4-5 days,
so we should have a fairly good idea about the weather but things can
always change.

I expect the biggest problem to be seasickness and fatigue among the
beginners. Any advice on managing that?
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I think you've overlooked some important details that could end up
costing you a great deal in personal liability if something goes
wrong. Unless you work a special deal with the charter company, the
boat is probably insured only for coastal cruising, usually no more
than 50 to 100 miles offshore, possibly less. Without approval of the
charter company for your venture, you will be in violation of your
agreement, and might even be exposed to criminal charges. If
something goes wrong things will get ugly.

Next, as others have pointed out, you're missing some essential safety
equipment, especially the EPIRB, liferaft and SSB. The EPIRB and
liferaft can be rented (try JT's in Newport among others). Without at
least an SSB receiver you will be unable to receive the high seas
weather broadcasts which is an essential offshore capability and
skill. In addition to the above, I would also add a man overboard
pole with attached strobe, and at least one other strobe attached to a
throwable device.

Regarding sea sickness, your biggest risk is with the EXPERIENCED
sailors in the group, not the inexperienced. It can happen to anyone
regardless of experience. The only remedy I've seen which is close to
100% effective are the scopalomine ear patches. They require a
doctors's prescription and carefully following directions.

In my opinion a better plan would be to sail south down the New Jersey
coast and up Delaware Bay to the C&D Canal. Youl'll have about two
days of potentially interesting conditions each way, along with an
interesting destination and some good seafood at the half way point.