T&T: Crossing an ocean

[bob Austin]

Bryan,
You might start by telling us what your boat is like and what you experience
is so far.  I am one of the hand full or two of people on this list who has
crossed from the US to Europe.  I did this in 1984 in a 62 foot motor sailer,
and we averaged about 7knots for the entire voyage.  The trip from Daytona
Beach to Bermuda was 5 days, From Bermuda to the Azores was 13 days and from
the Azores to Cadiz, Spain was 11 days (we could not pass through the straits
of Gibralter because of a storm in excess of 50 knots.)  Although this is not
typical, we encountered 6 days of winds in excess of 65 knots, and seas from
25 to 45 feet and breaking.  Just be sure that your boat can handle that
extreme if it occurs.  Our boat was well equipt with weather fax, multiple
radios, and navigation gear (for that era).  We had a 12 cu foot freezer and
12 cu foot refigrator.   Cabbages, onions, potatoes, yams, celery,
cauliflower, beets, radishes, tomatoes, apples and pears will last several
weeks.  Some citrus fruilts will also last a number of weeks.  We washed the
veggies with potassium permanginate before storing in a hammock.  Although we
had made long passages without a freezer or with a small freezer, we had
enough food on this boat for several months.  Much of it was pre-cooked and
frozen in two person sized meal pouches.

Jars for water?--I think not.  Many years ago I sailed to Mexico with used
chlorox bottles for extra drining water, with a boat which only had a 20
gallon water tank.  You can use salt water for showers and washing dishes, as
well for much of your cooking--put a salt water pump faucet in at the galley.
150 gallons is plenty (we carried 500 gallons, plus a water maker, but I made
one passage of 2500 miles, 15 days, and 10 man crew (racing boat) with only 50
gallons of water; we had some left.  If you want to put aside 30 gallons of
water in gallon containers, or one liter bottles, OK--but for emergencies.  We
also kept 10 gallons of water (2 five gallon cans) by the life raft, lashed
down for abandon ship)

Medication.  I just addressed this on the Passage making under power forum--I
suggest that you look there.  Yes, you need antibiotics, and you need to have
a good relation ship with a physician to get the medications you need.  Also
either a ham radio or Satellite phone so you can communicate with a physician
if you need to.  (A Marine SSB is a good item, but you are more likely to get
help on a ham radio).  Don't forget your EPRIBS!

There aren't any security issues crossing the North Atlantic.   Do you have
enough spares to repair all systems aboard, and keep them functioning for the
entire trip--or do without?

Bob Austin MD