Cats in the Caribbean

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  • #11173

      Was chatting with someone who lives in Antigua. He said that it was thought out there that the swell was such that any cat under 40 foot would be very unpleasant to sail. Obviously people do sail there on smaller cats and it must depend on design but does anyone agree/disagree or have any info/experience on/with this notion?

      #12045

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        It's all relative and also dependent on expectations and determination,
        as does all ocean sailing. If you are looking for comfort then a cruse
        liner will be better than an HT, but an HT will do the job.

        Sailing in the Caribbean (Windward & Leeward Islands) comes in two
        parts, first in the lee of the islands which can be easy sailing in
        slight seas, followed by a mad dash between islands for about 20 miles
        or less with a F4 to F5 on the beam with a 3000 mile fetch. Which can be
        boisterous to say the least. It's the price you have to pay to be there
        in your own boat.

        A lot depends on what you get used to. If you've spent a month sailing
        the trade winds to get there with the F4 to F5 and 2 metre seas (often
        more) behind you then it's all accepted as the norm. Close to the
        Canaries/African coast/Cape Verdi islands then a F6 with 3 metre
        breakers is common. I've spent over a week running with 3 metre
        breakers behind me on the trip to the Cape Verdi, after that anything
        less is easy sailing.

        Mike
        Allegro III
        Muros – N. Spain

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