No mention from the contributors to this thread about the classic cruising novel, “The Curve of Time” by M. Wylie Blanchet speaks volumes to what most have centered on in there discussions in this thread. A more balanced view may come out of reading this true story. I again highly recommend it especially for those more interested in a wilderness type cruise and self reliance. It may even allow you fishermen and day cruisers to see where we explorers and seekers of adventure are coming from and what you may think as thrill seeking is pretty lite weight compared to the travels of this lady and just her children on a small 25 foot cruiser with only ½ inch protection on bottom and sides. And her children when grown had nothing but wonderful thoughts about their experiences in their youth with there mother.
Most of the comments to this thread were directed to the literal meaning of using prudence when leaving the dock into varying conditions and were answered for the most part if in doubt don’t. Not bad advice, but just a bit simplistic in my opinion. If we had followed that advice it would have taken a summer instead of a few weeks to complete our last cruise. For those unaware the travelogue with photos in the Grand Adventure forum titled “2007 Alaska northern inland passage wilderness cruise” was a description of our most recent wilderness cruise. When I originally started this thread the prudence in leaving the dock was meant as a present physical thing and at the same time a metaphor for leaving on an adventure.
Jeff, we have zero interest in being in our c-dory boat in the conditions you described for good wind surfing. In fact we have zero interest in being on the open ocean at all except to access wilderness areas along the coast. But when deciding to go on a true wilderness cruise the chance of encountering severe conditions on the wilderness coast has to be accepted or you don’t go. Preparation can cover only so much. On this years cruise there was no fun in the extreme conditions we found ourselves in off the wilderness coast of Chichagof Island, Alaska and no thrill in the experience at the time. We were only willing to accept these risk in order to access the inlets, bays and rivers inside the outer coast. In doing such a cruise the risk level is much higher than leaving a dock on a bad weather day to fish or day cruise where help is readily available. To us it is worth the risk and the very reason we have a c-dory boat. We realize our attitude and reasons for boating is different than the norm. The c-dory to us is a comfortable upgrade over the canoe and RIB and used for the same purpose and that would be to explore the most wilderness areas we can only inhibited by our own personal risk assessment.
In our travels it is true we may put someone else at risk over something unforeseen or even a poor decision on our part. We have nothing but respect and admiration for the ones doing the rescue work, but it is there choice and the vocation they choose. If someday we have to be rescued the bill for the most part has already been prepaid. We have two sons who served in the Coast Guard and the eldest was killed while on active duty. And I have served as soldier, sheriff’s deputy and fireman. Even if our sons and I hadn’t made our contributions we would feel the same. I would feel bad if a poor decision let to a rescuer being injured or worse, but I don’t consider just attempting a cruise of this nature to be a poor decision.
My advice to those with limited boating experience who have the desire to go on a boating adventure. Learn all you can about the area you wish to go, the equipment you need and practice with your boat what you can in relationship to where you want to go. Gain all the information you can from this site and then don’t let excessive caution and fear override your desire to see, do and experience a “real” adventure, because if you wait until you think your totally qualified , that time may very well never arrive leaving you old and full of regret. If our ability to go boating ends today it will be with no regrets. Can you answer the same? If so great!! If not, how about starting a plan to actually make your dreams become reality. Then share this reality with the rest of us here. With us pushing 3000 members, there are way to few written accounts of adventure on this site.
One of the many reasons I post accounts of our adventures here is to show others what can be accomplished with very limited to moderate boating experience. We have now cruised over 4000 miles on the Inland Passage of which a good part was out of the main cruising channels and in several instances have taken our c-dory where few other boats have ever been. If we could start this process with no boating experience other than a canoe and RIB at the age of 54 think what you could do if a similar desire or passion is in you.
Dogon Dan, Jo-lee and I have been sharing adventures since she was l5 and me l7 and the only reason I carry a sat phone is if I should by some means strand her in one of these areas we explore alone. When I went totally alone on my many mountaineering and other adventures, I knew there would be no rescue, so tried to plan accordingly.. I know this is hard for many to understand, but some of us are born to the absolute need for these kind of experiences and I really think my spirit if not my body would die with out them.
Jay
