Dan's Papers - June 20, 2008 - The Y-Factor with Christian McLean

I have been preparing to sail my 1979 Sunfish across the Peconic Bay. My planned route from Flanders to Shelter Island, a total of 16 nautical miles (19 land miles), mirrored a crow's path as he flew overhead. It was a long trip - crows don't have the added job of tacking and jibbing. I know, I know. Nineteen miles doesn't sound like a lot to most of you, but the average Sunfish travels at only three to four knots (3.4-4.6 mph). That means I'm going to have to be under sail for a minimum of four hours - four hours alone in the sun, in a wetsuit, sitting on a piece of 29-year-old Fiberglass just inches above a cold bay. Sounds like fun, right?

There are a few things to take into consideration when planning such a trip. First, there is the weather. It's kind of self-explanatory. Check the forecast leading up to the voyage. If the predictions look bleak, put the trip off - but if the conditions look nice (i.e. clear, lacking super-gusty winds but having a solid breeze, and low-to-no waves on the bay) that's great.

Check the tides. For example, to get to my final destination in Cocles Harbor, I'll have to sail through the south or the north of the island. If the tide is coming in while you're trying to get out, the chances of your making it are pretty slim. Eldridge Tide & Pilot Book (2008) comes in handy for this pre-sail safety precaution. It has been the end-all and be-all for tidal charts for the past 134 years - every boat should have one.

Since my boat is almost 30 years old, it's important for me to check the lines, hull, seams, sail, rudder, daggerboard, and hardware. My major concern is the block system. The block is in fine shape, but there's no cam cleat (a self locking cleat) on the boat. For years, I simply held the mainsheet in my hand (and occasionally between my teeth) when I sailed. A four-hour trip gripping onto the line, however, would have been exhausting and counterproductive. I installed a swiveling cam cleat that will free up my hands, allowing for an easier sail. Remember: the proper rigging can make all the difference.

The lines also needed replacing. Over a quarter of a century saltwater exposure can do a number on a glorified rope. I visited West Marine in Riverhead to buy the correct lines for my halyard and mainsheet.

There's not much room for storage on the Sunfish, but four hours on the water is going to dehydrate the bejesus out of me. I'll need plenty of fresh water, and I'm going to need a place to keep it. Also, I'll need a place to store food, a cell phone, and emergency devices.

Before I leave, I plan to send a copy of my sailing plans to both my departure point and my destination. This plan will list my Sunfish's color and model, the time I'm leaving and the projected time of arrival, my telephone number and emergency contact information (hopefully it won't be needed) along with a few other key pieces of information. This way, if anything does go wrong, the right people will have the right information to find me.

So, wish me luck and use the aforementioned sailing tips the next time you plan your big trip. And if you see a blue and white sail cruising past you on a Saturday in the next few weeks, give a wave. I'll need the encouragement on my solo journey.