DSK wrote:
Shelman wrote:

I would like to sail my Nordica 16 across the Atlantic from Canada to
Europe. I have a GPS...can you think of anything else I will need (aside
from the obvious food and clothing)?


Some kind of self-sterring would be really nice.


How long do you think it will take me? (So I will know how much food to
bring.)



Read "Tinkerbelle" by Robert Manry. This is the story of a 14' boat
sailed across the Atlantic back in the 1960s. A classic story and
instructive for your kind of adventure.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King



Real adventure!!! just for the sake of it; need more of it in the
world, not me mind you but ..............:-)

Read, read & keep reading about other similar adventures, in a book
call "half safe" a couple drove a willys amphibious jeep across the
Atlantic after WW2 much further south (Canada to Med) so much further.

If the boat performs OK etc should be able to do it in 30-50 days (100
miles a day is not out of the question).

The cockpit needs to be self draining (probably not practical) or have
a semi permanent maybe slightly raised solid covered/deck over it (can
be bolted down but eventually removable later after the trip) with a
much smaller cockpit set into it aft that is self draining. The space in
the existing cockpit, now effectively decked over but with sealable
hatch access where you gain access to the main cabin, will be well used
for "light weight" item stowage.

Hopefully it won't happen but plan & be prepared for surviving a
complete roll over & then having no mast etc after, design your bunk
timbers etc so you have the raw ingredients of a jury rig.

Rainwater catching deserves some thought to because you'll not carry
enough water for the entire trip, but a small hand operated desalinator
is a viable option these days.

Notwithstanding it's a keel boat with concrete ballast, be as
unsinkable as you can (extra foam in every nook & cranny you don't need
for stores or inflatable bags inside) & have all the safety gear, pumps
warmth, dryness, etc etc (especially epirb).

You'll get all kinds of knockers & all kinds of loony wanna help
supporters, the trick is to listen to the sane & experienced from both
camps. By the way you're not mad, just got spirit, use it don't lose it:-)

Hope to read about your successful adventure one day:-) come back to
the NG & tell us all about it!!!

K