Information about Offshore Sailing aboard Koae 2014-2015
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| We're on Facebook! Join the group "Koae Sailing" to follow along with the preparation progress and as we get moving. Updated daily (if I get to it). Also here's a list of suggested crew gear. Click here to see where we are via our SPOT satellite beacon! |
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Where are we going? See the map below. Crew will be able to fly in or out as needed at the main ports marked on the map, and other travel arrangements are possible along the way. |
| How many people can come on each leg? I can fit a couple in the aft cabin very comfortably, and another crew in the forward V-berth, a pilot berth midships, as well as a pilot berth at the table. Ideal crew is one experienced offshore crew and 2 students. |
| What does it cost? I'm not charging anything specifically for the class, but we are sharing expenses. Fuel and immigration costs are a flat $500/each per leg. Otherwise just plan for transportation, food, and playing ashore. Generally, one-way flights around Central America are around $300-$400 to the States (I use kayak.com), plus possibly a taxi or bus to/from the airport. Food is cheap when we eat aboard, usually runs around $10/person per day for each leg depending on the markets available to us. Most crew also bring some money for souveneirs/restaurants, drinks ashore, etc at each end, but that part is up to you. |
| What are the dates/times/locations? Latest update - We're leaving Panama Canal Zone April 22. We had a great transit, and are ready for some Caribbean sailing. Due to delays in Costa Rica (new engine, dinghy, etc) we will be doing a straight shot to FL, roughly 2-3 weeks offshore, instead of coastal hopping. We won't be too far from land if there's a problem, but we will be sailing straight through (running watches, etc) .You can look at the route map for a rough idea, and follow along with us on the web to see where we're going. I have a SPOT Connect which shows our progress. There will be an opportunity for crew changes at major ports about every 1-2 weeks. Also there will be some down time when the boat doesn't move. If you want to come, we'll work it out. |
| Do I need to be experienced? No. I've been teaching sailing most of my life, and all I ask is a willingness to learn, pitch in, help out, and keep a good attitude. Try to be as flexible as possible, weather is our main guide, so plans may have to shift so that we don't sail into a storm. If you get seasick, plan on taking medication for it the entire time we are offshore. Safety of crew and boat are #1 priority. I have done quite a few offshore passages with teaching novice crew, most recently an Atlantic crossing and a delivery from Caribbean to New England via Bermuda, and have not had problems. You'll be plenty salty and experienced by the time the trip is done. |
| What is the boat like? Koae is a West Sail 42, one of the most seaworthy boats in the world – the same model that survived the “Perfect Storm” intact with no crew aboard. We bought her a few years back, built the interior to suit us, and now we're ready to go sailing. There will be some trip prep work to do, I've allowed several weeks and the majority of my cruising budget to make sure everything's safe and ready to go. 500 gallons of water (I crossed the Atlantic with 5 crew with less than that), and 80 gallons of fuel, so enough to motor about 4 days straight if needed. Mainly we sail, though. She is a very solid boat. We have a life raft, dinghy, harnesses, satellite phone, and all the necessary safety equipment. |
| Have you ever done anything like this before? Yes. I was raised on a sailboat, and have been teaching and working as a captain most of my adult life. More than you ever wanted to know here. |
| What will the weather be like? It's an ocean. We can expect anything, from calms to storms, to sunny days. I'm a fair-weather sailor, so I work very hard to not be out when the weather is bad, but we should be prepared for any conditions. Good foul weather gear is a great idea. The first few legs we had the wind behind us the whole way, some gales and calms off of Costa Rica, and a few days of reaching across into Panama. Expecting mainly tradewinds on the next passage, so consistent wind, probably a close reach to start but backing eventually. |
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What to expect:
Sailing instruction from an ASA-certified sailing instructor, including offshore passagemaking, provisioning, sail trim, watch-keeping
Equally shared duties – Cooking, sailing, navigating, and anything else that needs to be done will be tackled enthusiastically by all the crew.
Diving, snorkeling, maybe surfing and exploring ashore whenever possible
Mexico, Guatamala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicarauga, Costa Rica, and Panama on the Pacific side
Caribbean side TBD, but ideally Roatan, Belize, Costa Rica, maybe Jamaica, maybe more if time permits
True ocean sailing, in good weather when we can and poor weather only if we have to.
What not to expect:
A full service charter – this is not a charter boat, it is an offshore passagemaker. We're a cruising boat, doing a 6000 mile voyage, there will be boat repairs to be made, delays, weather, foreign countries, and hardships compared to staying at home.
How to contact Koae: best bet at the moment is email: info@bettermarineservices.com.
Some pictures of Koae are available here, mostly from the construction period. Way more to see (including current pics!) on the Facebook group.
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