A (non-sailing) friend I was telling about my requirement of sailing abound Prince Edward Island before finishing my sailing book recently said, “That can’t be hard. How long should it take…2 days?”
The reality is that it is about 475 km or 300 miles around. If I were to sail day and night It could perhaps be done
- if I had night sailing skills
- if I had at least two others to share the watches
- if I didn’t care to stop and see any of the shore
- if (and here’s the big IF) the winds cooperated.
In comfortable winds the trimaran makes 6 knots with no difficulty and has been up to 9 or 10 knots, but the stronger winds are accompanied by rough seas especially in Northumberland Strait where the side shores serve as a wave guide. 6 knots would involve about 45 hours of sailing as long as the winds held and conveniently reversed as the boat rounded the island—that would be the 2 days. Of course, if one used a speedboat with lots of spare gasoline, found a really calm day, and pushed at 20 miles per hour or faster, the trip might be done in one day, but that defeats the purpose.As someone said, sailing is for people who have time to enjoy the journey. My guess is that a round-the-Island trip should allow 2 weeks. I can plot out all the possible sheltering harbours around the Island and keep them in reserve shelters if the winds and waves become difficult. Summer is usually a relatively quiet time (which makes enough wind for sailing a problem). Most likely the big problem will be getting far enough each day. Still, if the winds don’t rise overnight, it is simple to anchor just about anywhere…it is quite unlike tenting where you have to find a campground.
Two weeks would strain my fresh-water-carrying capability although, if you accept the fresh water in the in-hull tank (in addition to the 6 or so gallons of filtered water in gallon jugs), it should be possible. Besides, there should be water available at some of the harbours.
Food should not be a problem since I can fit many many cans of stew, chili, etc. I’ve read the cruising books where folks go for weeks or even months living on fish and (tropical, of course) fruits and vegetables. Why are all the cruises in the literature in warm places?
So It seems the trip is quite feasible, but it will be a stretch for me. Since my wife has resigned from crewing I would perhaps have to single-hand the trip, definitely ruling out night sailing. On the other hand, she could drive to ‘rescue’ me anywhere on the trip in less than 4 hours! It is all very well for single-handers across the Atlantic to go day & night or sleep while out on the ocean, but being close to shore would be too dangerous without a watch. Besides, this is supposed to be a pleasurable cruise, not an endurance trial.
So the book requires a big final sail before it can be wrapped up.