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GUNKHOLING: the lost art of cruising

Won’t you join us so we may properly introduce you to gunkholing.

While Gunkholing may sound like a smelly and messy activity, it is for many cruisers the ultimate goal in cruising.   It is finding the small, quaint, and most importantly private place to drop anchor.

GUNKHOLING, according to  Wikipedia   is a  boating  term referring to a type of  cruising  in shallow or shoal water, meandering from place to place, spending the nights in coves. The term refers to the gunk, or mud, typical of the creeks, coves, marshes, sloughs, and rivers that are referred to as gunkholes. Because of the slow pace, this type of cruising is best enjoyed by those cruising by  sailboat  or  trawler . While not necessary, gunkholers typically seek out the serenity of isolated anchorages over the crowds of marinas and popular bays.

gunkholing sailboats

We hold that gunkholing embodies the ultimate cruising lifestyle – it’s one of those rare experiences that is best enjoyed slowly and deliberately. Gunkholing is the type of cruising that makes our coast one of the best locales on the planet.  We are blessed with 1,000s of kilometers of wilderness coastline where the mountains fall right into the sea.  We have marinas that range the  luxury  to  quirky .   Those that are in the wilderness to ones that in the center of  major cities .   Anchorages where you can be the only boat to ones with over a  hundred boats .   Where can even boast a few  anchorages  with water warm enough for comfortable swimming.

Some prefer to conquer oceans; we thrive on a good cup of coffee in a peaceful anchorage or quaint marina. Some would spend days and days aboard; we prefer a shoreside adventure such as a hike under the canopy of our coastal rainforest.  Some brandish their swords as they battle other boats on a race course; we prefer to raft up to our fellow boats and make a few new friends.

gunkholing sailboats

The magic of gunkholing is really a collection of small experiences that weave together into the fabric of our boating community.  It is impossible to fully describe what one gains by embracing the gunkholing lifestyle with a passage of words, but here is a small sample of the threads that combine to provide the allure of this pastime:

  • The satisfaction of piloting your boat into an unfamiliar harbour by making reference to the local charts and publications
  • The joy of kids exploring tidal pools
  • Flashing the barbeque up after a day of cruising from one island to the next.
  • Beachcombing poker – win or lose those treasures found earlier in the day
  • Sitting back and watch an eagle dive for her dinner right next to you
  • The playful banter as we line up at the pilgrimage to the shoreside showers with a towel and kit in tote
  • The camaraderie of  flotilla  cruising
  • Watching the best in people come out as they assist with docking, mechanical challenges and tips as to the best spot to catch shellfish, take a dip or find the elusive baked goods
  • Sharing the waters with orca whales, dolphins, harbour seals and sea lions

The term originates from that spectacular gunk that oozes off an anchor as it breaks the water.  We know it to mean so much more.  Won’t you join us so we may properly introduce you to GUNKHOLING?

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The fine art of gunkholing.

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  • Study charts to determine possible gunkhole locations. Look for small coves, narrow channels or rivers and hidden backwaters. The best gunkholes will have deeper water hidden behind a shallow entrance or some other choke point. In tidal areas look for spots that can be entered only on a flood tide.
  • Look for a hole that provides protection from prevailing winds and currents. Consider how exposed you’ll be if there is a dramatic change in weather and wind direction. Look for back-up anchorages in case you have to evacuate a tenuous gunkhole on short notice.
  • If there’s not enough room or depth to swing at anchor, look for stout trees and suitable boulders for securing lines. Is there enough room to set more than one anchor?
  • Carry the proper equipment, including up-to-date charts, a handheld depthsounder or leadline, multiple lines 100ft or more in length, extra anchors and chafe protection.
  • To discover secret gunkholes, talk to local cruisers and mariners about areas not covered in guidebooks. 

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GUNKHOLING WITH THE OLDIES

You can have just as much fun in an older seasoned boat as you can a brand spanking new boat while gunkholing in just about any body of water. In fact it can be more fun when you don't have the worry of scratching the pristine paint job or getting her cockpit full of mud! At the landing I once said to a fellow sailing buddy, "Hey! Me and the little lady are going to do some gunkholing in an old boat. You want to do it too!"

I was actually inviting him on the trip and he said the he would really like that and he would be taking an aging O'Day daysailer that he'd been restoring! Suddenly a response from somebody standing there at the waters edge with a cute little dog wearing a pink bandana around its neck loudly blated out in a strong but very proper voice!, "You are going to do what Sir? You oughta be ashamed of yourself even thinking of something like that at your age! What's wrong with you...you pervert!" "Yep!" I answered directly at her with a mischeiveous grin and a wink, and see'n that I already had her attention in a most profound way! Yes!.... it was a middle aged woman that I got that blasting from! Right off, it was very clear to me that she didn't know a thing about sailing, cruising, kayaking or boating of any kind!

She was visiting from out in the country somebody said! "Yes mam!" I politely stated in a smooth even voice directed right at her! I said it again, "YES mam!.... We are gonna do it in the gunkhole, YOU wanna join in?" and I let out a whoopla like a Rebel yell! "Yeah boy!...The more the merrier!", I ended with that, as she quickly turned red and stomped off dragging her poor little dog across the concrete as it squatted and was trying to pee! I have to admit, and with a slight smile that it did sound somewhat on the nasty side! Don't you think? Some of the guys were standing around chuckling, trying to act busy, and shaking their heads! Others were rolling on the concrete landing laughing, and some almost crying! Many of these old salts knew how I was and still that way to this day! Others didn't say anything, but acted non-chalant, going about their business of rigging their boats, piddling around and trying to show the world that they didn't hear a thing! Yessir...we were go to do some gunholing and I was going to do it with an older one at that! AND...I made sure she heard that too!

Now we have to get things straight! Gunkholing is a term that arrived from being in places with your boat where there is a lot of gunk, mud and goo! Streams branching off a bay, a cozy little cove, rivers you've never been in, or a secluded beachh that is away from high boat traffic. Maybe escape from the crowded marinas, the rush of everyday life all offer an good excuses to search out places for gunkholing. Like camping on a stretch of turf and when the tide has gone out you are stuck in some black gooey muck, mud...or gunk as some call it. But the entire definition might also be described as going from one place to another or meandering around from place to place with a boat of some kind. A sailboat perhaps and seems to be the most common mode of transportation, a kayak is good too, or it could be a homemade shanty boat or even a high dollar yacht for taking you to a wonderful isolated setting where no living soul abounds.

The purpose is so you can enjoy a serene anchorage while camping and watching a beautiful sunset. I need to warn you now that many of these place will haunt you and becon for your return. AND...you will simply have to go! Some of these new found places will become favorites and will always be nice for a return visit or to show to a friend that is getting into one of the greatest things on earth! Exploring of this nature has been around for a very long time...it just has different names! Or, you might want to catch some fish for the grill, have a glass of rum...you know...like a Capt. Morgan on the rocks or with a splash of something else, and...with one of those little brightly colored paper umbrellas stuck in amongst the ice ...that is if you have any ice! This is for the sailor that loves dropping the hook or anchor in a different place during the late afternoon every day while cruising about. To see the sights, and listen to the birds and wildlife as the sun disappears below the horizon can only be described by being there. Next, you might marvel at a solid black sky dotted with zillions of stars that sparkle like diamonds on black velvet. This is what dreams are made of for the gunholing sailor whether they are male or female.

It can be done from just about any type of watercraft so there is no excuse to put it off any longer. I have a friend that used an older 12 foot Hobie Cat for cruising and camping on the weekends, and he packed everything in dry bags, as things do and quite often get wet from hull spray on a fast moving catamaran. He tent camped but I have known him to erect a makeshift shelter on the old catamaran. I wish I still had the long lost picture of that set up! You ask, "Why did he use a catamaran instead of a nifty little pocket cruiser?" The answer to that is simple. That's all the had at the time! Strange looking, but it worked just fine. I even seen him trolling with a tiny sail and the results were eye popping when I got to see the big stripers and other nice fish he caught while moving his boat with a very small homemade sail.

So..get your boat rigged up, grab the stores you will need for whatever amount of time you have and get going! A six pack and a can of Spam, is enough for some folks as long as they have a loaf of bread or some saltine crackers! One of my sailing buddies has been awarded with the unique name of Peter Pan! Why....that's practically all he has on a trip, peanut butter and bread! Oh well...whatever socks the old knocker, and to each his own! Personally I like a good meal after sailing throughout most of a day, but I still enjoy dining on foods that require little as far as preparation goes! Now is the time for you to think of foods that don't need refrigeration, or take a long time to cook. When you cook you will need a campfire or a stove. Be with all seriousness, your menu for healthy meals should bet wisely chosen. Don't eat junk food an entire weekend or longer! That means more gear that is sometimes necessary. Backpacking stoves work nicely if protected from the wind and you need fuel...more gear that has to be stored safely, and I've found a small trench fire to be very efficient on a beach if fires are allowed. Life is way too short to miss out on events like this!

So lets git it done...and do it in the gunkhole! Yes ...we did it! That was fun, but.... I have to mention too that you can't do it again, 'cause once it's done, it's done!.... but you can do something similar! So it's time to regroup, get more supplies and head out again! Now, you will read about a one of the many but enjoyable gunkholing trip that holds fond memories...but all gunkholing trips will have memories of some kind. Over the years most are good but like anything, there are some that are not so good, but all are a priceless experience.

Now let's discuss the oldies...not the songs, but sailboats that are 20 to 50 years old. It is these old boat that will take us into the wonderful world of Gunkholing! This is from the journal of my Sea Mistress, a boat I bought in 1968 and she was a 21 foot Venture, my very first large sailboat but not my first gunkholing trip. That was done with an old plywood boat called a Sailfish! I'll get into the smaller boats later on in this series of articles.

The pictures are of one of the two Weekenders I built. The first picture is when I was cruising along the souther coast and beached the boat on a shell bank. The tide was going out and the oyster shells cut up the paint job on the bottom really good, and even a couple of places went through the fiberglass and into the wood. Had a lot of repair work to do. Sailing along in 6 foot roller breaking 6 seconds apart showed me how seaworthy the little Weekender is. The hull is basically shaped like a dory hull similar to what the fishermen of long ago used when going away from the mother ship to se their lines.

gunkholing sailboats

“Gunkholing is a boating term referring to a type of cruising in shallow or shoal water, meandering from place to place, spending the nights in coves…. gunkholers typically seek out the serenity of isolated anchorages over the crowds of marinas and popular bays .” – Wikipedia

Most sailing blogs and Youtube channels chronicle people who give up the landlubbing life to live full-time on a sailboat. And I will gladly admit that most of the channels I follow fit into that category; I too have the dream of a life aboard a bluewater sailboat. Alas, this is not likely for me, at least not yet, and frankly I’m not sure I would really want to do that at this stage in my life. For one, I have a family and, let’s just say, they are not nearly as into sailing as I am. Also, I have a job, and enjoy having things like money and health insurance.

But who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? Why not do both? This website chronicles a different kind of sailor. More of a weekend warrior. It collects my experiences learning to sail a small, trailerable sailboat, mostly in a lake near my home, but also in other fairly protected waters. You won’t see epic voyages across oceans on this site, but adventure is were you find. And there are some very adventuresome things you can do with a small sailboat.

I suspect there are others who dream of a life at sea following the wind, but are not ready or willing to give up their “regular” life. If this site helps you strike a compromise then it’s served its purpose.

How to Find Stuff on gunkholesailing.com

There are at least 3 ways to find stuff on this site. First, the navigation bar at the top organized information by categories.

Outlier - Contains information about my sailboat.

Gunkhole Seamanship - Contains information about skills needed for sailing and maintaining a small (under 25’), shoal draft sailboat.

Gunktube - While videos are linked throughout the website, this tab houses links to all of them in chronological order along with descriptions of their content.

Bluewater Dreaming - Contains information about the various boats I dream of owning one day. My “ideal” dream boat changes often.

Second, the Captain’s Log on the left of the home page contains a chronological list, with links to other content on the website. While the other tabs are organized conceptually, this tab is there if people are interested in how my journey has progressed over time.

Finally, in the top right of the navigation bar is a magnifying glass that most will recognize as a link to a search bar that can be used to search for content with search terms.

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2022 Boat of the Year: Best Dinghy

  • By Dave Reed
  • December 17, 2021

Sailing World Magazine’s annual Boat of the Year tests are conducted in Annapolis, Maryland, following the US Sailboat Show. With independent judges exhaustively inspecting the boats on land and putting them through their paces on the water, this year’s fleet of new performance-sailing boats spanned from small dinghies to high-tech bluewater catamarans. Here’s the best of the best from our 2022 Boat of the Year nominees »

Skeptics be warned: The Happy Cat Hurricane is legit. This is the unanimous assessment from our Boat of the Year judging squad after sailing the surprisingly quick and nimble 16-foot inflatable catamaran in 10 knots of breeze. While it delivers exhilarating sailing, it’s much more than a recreational rubber dinghy—it’s an adventure craft, a portable sailboat, a pontoon motorboat, a lazy-river drifter, or anything you want it to be once it’s pumped and splashed.

Grabner is an Austrian manufacturer of all types of inflatable watercraft, which the company has been building since the mid-1980s. The Happy Cat Hurricane came online in 2017, and a carbon-mast version was added in 2019. The Hurricane Carbon, which the judges tested, is the company’s flagship go-fun craft, and apparently, it can’t make them fast enough.

We racers know fiberglass better than we do rubber, but Alex Caslow, of Redbeard Sailing in Baltimore (the US importer), says Grabner’s vulcanized rubber is “tire-quality” and sourced from Continental. All of the Happy Cat’s tubes, he adds, are handmade, glued and welded in Austria, producing high-quality hulls that should last at least 20 years. There’s a seven-year warranty on the hulls, he says, but should you ever need to, $2,000 is your replacement price (per hull). The all-up price for a new boat, with everything you need to go racing or gunkholing, is currently $15,000.

The magic to keeping the Happy Cat’s tubular platform stiff is the anodized aluminum frame that holds it all together. Tension cables crisscrossed beneath the trampolines provide additional stiffness in waves. The frame also serves as attachment points for the trampolines, which are clipped on rather than laced like most catamaran tramps.

Happy Cat Hurricane

The boat, Caslow says, can be assembled in roughly 40 minutes—from taken out of the storage bags to inflated and sails hoisted. Upgrading from the standard manual pump to a 12-volt air pump accelerates the process, of course.

Bags? That’s right. The entire boat and rig fit into four bags collectively small enough to transport in the average-size car trunk. This portability is its primary selling point, especially in Europe, where hundreds of owners and devotees regularly gather to rally and raid on alpine lakes and coastal enclaves. Its second selling point is that it sails as well as most fiberglass recreational catamarans.

“It definitely caught my eye when we first walked up to it,” Chuck Allen says. “The bright-red hulls, the carbon rig, all the ropes, but especially the interesting setup with the rudder and centerboard being on centerline. I’d never sailed a catamaran with a centerboard.

“The hulls are really firm—they feel just like a RIB tube, and all the aluminum framing and wires are nice quality. I was really curious how it would sail, and believe it or not, it sailed like a champ.”

Happy Cat Hurricane

Greg Stewart says his first impression was one of skepticism as well. “It seemed like it would be one of those boats that looked cool on land but would let us down, but it didn’t at all. It sailed amazingly. It tacked well enough that I didn’t have to backwind the jib, and got up to speed again quickly.”

The ability to tack it like a dinghy, Stewart says, is because of the centerboard and because the rudder is mounted in the best place possible. “What makes it steer so well is the rudder is so far aft, which gives you a nice turning moment between it and the centerboard.”

The centerboard has up/down lines that are led to the front beam and cam cleats, but there is a breaker line in case you get into shallow waters. The centerboard casing also acts as an anchor point for the dolphin striker.

The reverse “wave-piercing” bows have a lot of buoyancy down low, Stewart adds. When he was sailing upwind through chop, they “just want to lift and rise up over the wave.” If flying a hull gets a bit too unnerving, he says, a small ease on the mainsheet or a slight bear away makes the boat settle right down with a soft and pillowy landing. Stewart forgot to conduct the obligatory capsize test, but he said afterward that the boat tended to simply slip sideways if the weather hull got too high. The optional masthead float, however, would be a good choice for peace of mind, he says.

“There’s a great sensation of speed,” Powlison reports, especially with the 91-square-foot gennaker. “The Velocitek SpeedPuck that was on the boat was reading 10 to 11 knots regularly, and it wasn’t hard at all to tack or jibe either. The spinnaker clew is pretty high, and the boomless square-top mainsail (124 square feet) makes it really easy to get across the boat.”

“This boat rips,” was Allen’s final assessment. He gave it high marks all around, but what ultimately stole his favor was a browse through Grabner’s catalog, which showcased the Happy Cat’s versatility: Leave the mast in its bag, erect the optional sun awning, and slap on the outboard motor bracket to transform it into an outboard-powered exploration craft and swimming platform. Or strap on extra fore and aft trampolines, load the boat up with camping gear in dry bags, and explore new places.

“Its biggest appeal really is its portability,” Stewart says. “If you don’t have easy access to a yacht club or storage near the water, you can easily keep this in the garage or apartment without taking up much space at all. Throw it in the car and take it wherever you want.”

Assembly, Caslow says, is simple and quick once the hulls are inflated. The tubes slide into grooves in the frame, tension cables are clipped on with carabiners, the trampoline is strapped on, and the mast can be raised by one person once it’s pinned onto the ball joint.

When it’s assembled, the Hurricane Carbon is only 175 pounds, but it is still a bit unwieldy for solo ramp launching. For this particular challenge, Grabner offers flip-up “slip wheels” that mount to the aft beam and stay on the boat while sailing. With your standard big-wheeled catamaran dolly, however, it’s easy to move around and beach-launch. And once you’re underway and zipping along, crew extended on the wire and the soft bounce of the hull on your bottom, you’ll just want to keep on sailing—happy as a cat on nip.

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Getaway Guide To Chesapeake Bay 'Gunkholing'

August 18, 2016 / 7:00 AM EDT / CBS Philadelphia

"Gunkholing" is simply the practice of guiding a boat into a secluded, scenic cove, find just the right spot with a breeze on a warm day, water deep enough for anchoring and swimming, just far enough away from shore to cut the land bond, and then just drop the hook to anchor and relax in silence. If you don't own a boat, sail with a friend who does or charter one for a day, a weekend or week. The perfect backdrop is the nearby Chesapeake Bay with its 6,000 miles of shoreline, including rivers, creeks, their tributaries and coves. Assuming your charts or GPS navigation programs are up to date, here's a sampling on the upper bay that are easy to reach and offer decent protection from a sudden storm . -- Jay Lloyd.

WORTON CREEK

GPS: Latitude: 39.17.373N/Longitude: 76.11.209W

A wooded setting that draws Great Blue Herons to fish at sunset also provides a pristine backdrop for the cruising boater who anchors off the shoreline. In snug Worton Creek just 1-1/2 miles off the bay you can drop a crab trap or fishing line and catch a fresh dinner. If you prefer to sleep at anchor but dine ashore, it's a short dinghy ride to the Harbor House restaurant with bay fare and a friendly boater buzz bar. If you have the dinghy launched, take it further south to Mill creek for a little exploration or bird watching.

Swan Creek

GPS: Latitude 39.08.708N/Longitude 76.15.733W

Swan Creek is one of the more popular anchorages on the eastern shore. It's scenic, away from marinas and traffic, yet close enough to the restaurants, bars and shops of Rock Hall, Maryland for a dinghy ride to the closest shore and then a rental bike or walk into town. Follow a well marked channel from the bay and hang a left after passing the mooring field at the Swan Creek Marina. There's plenty of deep water in the anchorage, but keep an eye on the depth sounder as you close with the shoreline. Because of its prime location, Swan Creek does get crowded on weekends, but weekdays find few boats and a lot of solitude.

Tilghman Creek

TILGHMAN CREEK

GPS: Latitude 38.50.671N/Longitude 76.15.802W

As many times as I've sailed into one of the most idyllic of upper bay anchorages, it still takes several passes and 3 sets of eyeballs to spot the entrance against a background of dense woodland. Tilghman Creek on the northern end of Tilghman Island is marked by a lighted buoy and a pair of day marks. Once you spot them, stay in the center of the channel till you find the perfect hole in the water to spend the night. There are no shore attractions to distract you from nature here. It's just you, your crew and whatever you're putting on the grill or pouring in the glass.

Shaw Bay

GPS: Latitude 38.50.811N/Longitude 76.12.062W

Almost directly across the Eastern Bay from Tilghman Creek you'll find the storied Wye River. It's photogenic banks and deep water invite exploration. But just around a protective hook at the Wye entrance, you'll find Shaw Bay, a wide expansive cove. If you're meeting up with other boats, there's plenty of room here for rafting. The sunsets are spectacular and like Tilghman Creek there are no shoreside distractions. it's all about swimming, maybe some crabbing and an easy night at anchor. The last time I was here, we were chased in by a storm. The bay was boiling, the anchorage, calm. But while here take time to explore the Wye.

Magothy River

MAGOTHY RIVER

GPS: Latitude 39.03.312N/Longitude 76.25.997W

The Magothy River has been a longtime favorite spot to drop the hook, either for lunch or overnight. The mouth of the river is easily spotted just west of the Baltimore Light. The entrance is a narrow channel that opens into a wide river with good anchorages in coves that dimple the banks. We have two favorite spots. One is right behind Dobbins Island in a patch of water called, Sillery Bay. Just don't try to sail around the island. The northwestern side carries only a foot of water. Expect weekend crowding. A more isolated anchorage is to the east of Sillery between Holland and Purdy Points. A large flag, horses and a manicured estate on the north shore provide the photogenic backdrop for a well protected night at anchor.

Heron

These are just a few of the thousands of anchorages, found on the bay. They were chosen because of their proximity to home port marinas by most Philadelphia area boaters and charter sailors who sail and power on the Chesapeake. The most comprehensive guide to the popular gunkholes as well as the most isolated is the annual "Guide to Cruising Chesapeake Bay" published by Chesapeake Bay Magazine.

The GPS coordinates used in this article represent buoys and day markers closest to the designated waterway entrances.

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Design No. 1133 by: Nathanael Herreshoff

The Goldeneye is an improved version of the Bull’s Eye which provides a small cabin and self bailing cockpit. She offers many of the same sailing characteristics as the Bull’s Eye with a longer waterline and high lead keel to length ratio. It’s a wonderful boat for gunkholing and short overnight cruising for two people. She offers versatility from sailing with a reef in the main and a storm jib to sailing with a genoa and spinnaker. The Goldeneye has a big boat feel without the common cruising boat hassles.

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Provisioning for Gunkholing and Voyaging on Small Light Displacement Sailboats

Arcb

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Thought I would try and start a thread on provisioning for gunkholing and voyaging on small light displacement sailboats. I am mostly thinking of boats under 3000 pounds or so light displacement, with no refrigeration going on voyages longer than an ice block will last in a cooler. So maybe 3 days or more. What are your tricks and tips? How do you deal with challenges such as; Nutrition? Spoilage? Stowage Space? Hydration? Treats? Weight? Preperation? I do a bit of off grid gunkholing with my wife and 2 kids on a 900 pound boat. Trips of 2-3 weeks are the norm. Below I offer a strategy I use in each above category; Nutrition: Lentils! Oats and Barley. Of course, traveling with kids, treats are a must, so we like dual purpose treats that provide some sugar and a bit of nutrition, such as raisins. Spoilage; dry goods, stored in ziplocs in dry bags. Small boats are wet environments. Stowage space; dehydrated meals, just add water. I figure roughly 1.5 liters of food per person per day. So 4 people for 2 weeks is roughly 84 liters of stowage space or 3 cubic feet of food. I usually carry about double that though, since my boat has about 7 cubic feet of food storage. I also get rid of excess packaging. Boxes are ridiculous. Hydration. I sail mostly fresh water and filter my water with a Katadyn. However, I have found even gunkholing in Saltwater, shore sources are often easy to find for filtering. Obviously more reserve is required in salt water. Treats: Popping corn (not the microwave stuff). Raisins. Tang. Cliffs Bars. Granola Bars. Various dry spices. Weight. Dehydrated food. Minimal canned goods. Excess weight on my boat makes it sail terribly. I figure food for 4 for 2 weeks should be under 200 pounds. Obviously the weight gets less and the boat sails better as time passes. Preperation. I am personally a fan of foods that just require adding hot water. My fuel of choice is non pressurised Alcohol. I have both an Origo and a Trangia. Trangia for solo trips, Origo for family trips. I know cannister type stoves are popular with open boat/dinghy sailors as well. I do most cooking in the cockpit or ashore when possible.  

Neat idea for a thread. I have to run to an appointment, so I can’t build out a full reply. Essentially, the answer is the same as focusing on a long backpacking trip, with less concern for weight. Done all the time.  

Its canoe tripping...but bigger vessel  

MarkofSeaLife

We use canned meat too. Some of it is pretty good. Our favoutites are Hereford Corned Beef which is a product of Brazil and Swift Canned Ham which is a product of Canada. Haven't tried Brinkman Farms. We are going out for a week or so next week and I haven't shopped yet. Will see if I can find some and give it a try.  

capta

One trick I learned when sailing w/o refrigeration was that I could keep a fresh fish several days by wrapping it in a towel, in the sun and keeping it wet. The evaporation would keep the fish cooler than the ambient temperature.  

Minnesail

I guess it depends how worried you are about weight. I’ve had more experience with backpacking provisioning than canoe / small boat, but there’s a lot of overlap. When weight is your enemy you don’t want to carry water. Dehydrated everything. The problem with a lot of dehydrated foods is that they have low to no fat, and not only does fat taste good, but considering weight it gives you the most calories per pound. So I’ll dehydrate lean ground beef and drain off any excess fat. When reconstituting it (for chili or stew) add olive oil. The olive oil gives you the flavor back and will store at room temp for a long time. Salted butter will also stay good at room temp for a couple weeks. Well cooked bacon is shelf stable for a week or so.  

I have doubled the insulation in my ice box and can go five days without needing ice. We also keep canned chunky soups,potatoes, and veggies. I sometimes get luck and catch a fish or 2. We are on the Chesapeake so there are several places to restock and get ice. I always have to be back at work before the ice is gone. Most of the top of the line coolers are good for 5 days  

5 days is fantastic. We thought about getting one of those 12 volt coolers a couple years back. Can't remember why we decided against it.  

In the past, I think you’ve mentioned you often camp ashore on your travels. If I didn’t have to carry the tent on my back, I’d get a bloody standup palace and a real household air mattress. I’d also bring folding lounge chairs. A comfortable chair is the first thing everyone misses, when backpacking. Often the same on smaller boats too. I’ve always liked the Kelly sunshaders too. If you camp where there is little shade, these are awesome. Being in a tent or down below can be brutal.  

Minnewaska said: In the past, I think you've mentioned you often camp ashore on your travels. If I didn't have to carry the tent on my back, I'd get a bloody standup palace and a real household air mattress. I'd also bring folding lounge chairs. A comfortable chair is the first thing everyone misses, when backpacking. Often the same on smaller boats too. I've always liked the Kelly sunshaders too. Click to expand...

chef2sail

Mosquito or bug netting so you can sleep without being chewed up  

A 1kw Honda is an amazing luxury, when camping. Much lighter, smaller and even quieter than the more common 2kw. My son and I brought one, when we used to camp at fly-ins. It would power a purcolator, a couple of small fans, charge phones and other devices. If you still put ice into an electric travel fridge/cooler, you wouldn't have to run it all day, just enough to avoid heat loss, during sunlight. At these fly-ins, you camp next to the runway and there are no shade trees. I'll have to think about that for next time. Even in a good cooler, ice does not always keep everything inside quite at the right temp for long term storage. Ice melts, open and closing introduces warm air. Any temp is fine (or safe) for beer. Milk or burger can get finicky. Every year, we would try to see how long we could get burger to last. Buy last minute. Don't open, but make patties at the camp. Our last best method was to buy irradiated burger meat, make the patties at home, par-freeze, then vacuum pack the patties and finish freezing solid and put in the ice in the cooler. 5 days.  

One thing I am still experimenting with is using dry ice. Place a slab at the bottom of the cooler, frozen sundries, another slab, refrigerated goods on the top. I'm just extremely hesitant to put it on a boat unkess there was some form of active ventilation to keep the bilge from filling with carbon dioxide.  

I've used dry ice on charters. In normal use the amount of CO2 given off by dry ice is less than what is given off by the crew breathing, so unless you're in a hermetically sealed chamber I can't see how it could be a problem. There was a thread about this on CF a little while ago. Some people were too nervous to use it, but those who have used dry ice had no problems. BONUS: Dry ice is really fun to play with.  

This is the first time i've had someone with firsthand knowledge chime in. Thanks!  

jblumhorst

I have used dry ice in my cooler on the boat many times on long trips.  

capttb

I use Irish Cream in my coffee because it keeps without refrigeration and I've given up spam for the meat of real seamen.  

Attachments

Food Dish Ingredient Cuisine Gravy

Have also used dry ice, most success use was to to raise crew moral days into cruise with ice cream after dinner. Also agree with above mentioned corned beef, Lentils, and then there is the pesto ice cubes turned into pesto/pasta or rice. Eggs room temp. good for extended time and find that Tortillas store for long time as well. I keep a destinations notebook with much local knowledge of my cruising area (long Is sound) which includes ports with easy access to provisions, water, ice, fuel, repairs etc. Example... Manhasset bay north town dock..Stop n shop across street, restaurants, west marine very short walk...etc. Thinking will be helpful to start a thread dedicated to just that in LIS area. I will start tonight, maybe others will contribute in their cruising grounds.  

Great idea, I have used that IGA in Port Washington a few times along with the free moorings. Very cruiser friendly Greenport is also a great place to reprovision as is Sag Harbor. We often plan our trip around a place to resupply with fresh fruits and vegetables weekly.  

Ill 2nd tortillas. Very filling. I buy the large 16ct packs of the large 10" mission buritto tortillas and they have never not been freshish. Still have some that are 5 months on the boat. Be aware they are big carbs To me, that brand is worth its small premiun price  

I really don't think you could stick your nose up any higher if you tried. I eat what I like. Not what you think I should like.  

Most popular in hawaii and the philipines  

The generator question is an interesting one. We looked at a used one a couple of yesrs ago and surely would have bought it if the seller had been able to get it running. It wasn't a Honda though. Can't remember the brand. About 1200 watts. I don't think we would go that way now though, because most quality camp grounds in Canada, and many anchorages have banned them out right. I saw why this week end. We trailered our boat up for a little bit of exploring in a place called the Madawaska River and Lake Calabogie. We ended up in a privately owned RV and Camping Facility with a small marina. We had pre booked 3 nights with day excursions to different areas. We were assigned a tent spot. The RV beside us ran a 3kw Champion Generator 24/7 to run a) his air conditioning during the day b) his heat at night and tv most of the time. It was like having a school bus running beside our tent both in terms of noise and exhaust. Its a shame because lots of folks run their generators responsibly, but enough don't that its a problem. Btw, we brought fresh meat, cheese and veggies because we knew we were only doing 3 nights and our experience has told us our soft side coleman cooler could manage that. A couple of our day excursions (by Van) was to watch a Ducatti club (70 bikes) that had rented a backwoods race track for 3 days of motorcycle club racing. Trailer sailing at its best.  

MikeOReilly

Fun thread. I can't contribute from a cruising perspective -- my boat doesn't qualify. But I spent many decades canoe and then kayak tripping. My first sail boats were canoes rigged with sails. Dried food was the way we went. Dried veg, meat, fruit. Water was always easy to find. To keep things dry I used to use multiple layers of trash bags, but graduated to fancy dry bags once I got rich(er). The generator thing is interesting. It had been many years since I'd been in a car camp. They didn't exist back when I was last in one while family car camping. I was shocked to pitch our tent and be surrounded by these obnoxious beasties. But it does now seem to the norm in many places front country camp grounds. Much like it's become more common in anchorages.  

Understand it was not about you....or maybe I should say isn’t about you. I don’t really care what you put in yourself. That’s your personal choice. My purpose was to give alternatives to eating prepacked foods which tasted good and had better taste profiles. This is a fun thread and lots have posted SERIOUS alternatives in the canned meat category, dried meats, Let me add to the list some good alternatives .. .dried fruit. Many are great as snacks but many if you reconstitute with water, wine or brandy take on a greater taste. Some dried cranberries with a little brandy, water soak on top of you spam or canned meat will make it a great meal. Nuts- can be finely ground between a rock and bowl or finely minced with a knife added to veggies or even canned meat take it to a great level. Instant sauces, spices add water and create better profiles. Cumin, Chinese 5 spice, curries . Inexpensive ways and alternatives. Don’t settle for bland instant mashed potatoes which even kids in elementary school cafeterias turn their noses up to  

Most people have a sweet tooth, I have a salt tooth. I love fried Spam. I have also found that my 8 inch cast iron skillet works fantastic in my Trangia cookset. Using that setup I made tortilla wraps for the family on the river bank today. Ground beef, Yukon gold potatoes, sweet peppers, shallot, garlic, butter, DIY seasoned salt, cheese. Easy, one-skillet meal and the only things that would need to be kept cool are the meat and cheese.  

Generator etiquette is important. If there are others around, one should confine their usage to daytime and preferably when others are occupied or away. That said, the best campsites didn’t have anyone else around. At the fly-ins we bought ours for, there is so much airplane noise, it’s truly irrelevant (except at night).  

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20 Best Small Sailboats for the Weekender

  • By Mark Pillsbury
  • Updated: August 4, 2021

In order to go cruising, most of us require a sailboat with a head, a galley, and bunks. The boat, likely a 30-footer and more often a 40-footer, will have electronics for navigation and entertainment, refrigeration if the trip is longer than a coastal hop, an engine for light wind, and, depending on our appetites for food and fun, perhaps a genset to power our toys and appliances.

To go sailing , however, all we really need is a hull, mast, rudder, and sail. To experience the pure joy of sheeting in and scooting off across a lake, bay, or even the open ocean, there’s nothing better than a small sailboat – we’re talking sailboats under 25 feet. You can literally reach out and touch the water as it flows past. You instantly feel every puff of breeze and sense every change in trim.

Some of the boats in this list are new designs, others are time-tested models from small sailboat manufacturers, but every one is easy to rig, simple to sail, and looks like a whole lot of fun either for a solo outing on a breezy afternoon or to keep family and friends entertained throughout your entire sailing season. This list is made up of all types of sailboats , and if you’re looking for a list of some of the best small sailboats for beginners, you’ll find exactly that here.

Any one of these popular boats could be labeled as a trailerable sailboat, daysailer, or even a weekender sailboat. And while most would be labeled as a one or two person sailboat, some could comfortably fit three or even four people.

Marblehead 22 Daysailer

Marblehead 22 Daysailer

If you have an eye for elegant lines and your heart goes pitter-patter over just the right amount of overhang beneath a counter transom, the Marblehead 22 daysailer, designed by Doug Zurn and built by Samoset Boatworks in Boothbay, Maine, will definitely raise your pulse. Traditional-looking above the waterline and modern beneath, the cold-molded hull sports a deep bulb keel and a Hall Spars carbon-fiber mast with a wishbone rig and square-top main. The 11-foot-9-inch cockpit can seat a crowd, and a small cuddy forward will let you stow your friends’ gear for the day. samosetboatworks.com

Catalina 22 Sport

Catalina 22 Sport

Many a harbor plays host to an active fleet of Catalina 22s, one of the most popular small sailboats over the years, given its basic amenities and retractable keel, which allows it to be easily trailered. Recently, the company introduced the Catalina 22 Sport, an updated design that can compete with the older 22s. The boat features a retractable lead keel; a cabin that can sleep four, with a forward hatch for ventilation; and a fractional rig with a mainsail and a roller-furling jib. Lifelines, a swim ladder, and an engine are options, as are cloth cushions; vinyl cushions are standard. The large cockpit will seat a crowd or let a mom-and-pop crew stretch out and enjoy their sail. It’s clear why the Catalina 22 is one of the best sailboats under 25 feet. catalinayachts.com

Hunter 22

With its large, open-transom cockpit and sloop rig, the Hunter 22 makes a comfortable daysailer for family and friends. But with its cuddy cabin, twin bunks, optional electrical system, opening screened ports, and portable toilet, a parent and child or a couple could comfortably slip away for an overnight or weekend. Add in the optional performance package, which includes an asymmetric spinnaker, a pole, and a mainsheet traveler, and you could be off to the races. The boat features a laminated fiberglass hull and deck, molded-in nonskid, and a hydraulic lifting centerboard. Mount a small outboard on the stern bracket, and you’re set to go. marlow-hunter.com

the Daysailer

Not sure whether you want to race, cruise or just go out for an afternoon sail? Since 1958, sailors have been having a ball aboard the Uffa Fox/George O’Day-designed Daysailer. Fox, who in the 1950s was on the cutting edge of planning-dinghy design, collaborated with Fall River, Massachusetts boatbuilder O’Day Corp. to build the 16-foot Daysailer, a boat that features a slippery hull and a small cuddy cabin that covers the boat roughly from the mast forward. Thousands of Daysailers were built by various builders, and they can be found used for quite affordable prices. There are active racing fleets around the US, and new Daysailers are still in production today, built by Cape Cod Ship Building. capecodshipbuilding.com

BayRaider from Swallow Boats

BayRaider from Swallow Boats

Easy to rig and trailer, the BayRaider from England’s Swallow Yachts is a relative newcomer to the small-boat market in the United States. Nearly all of its 19 feet 9 inches is open cockpit, though a spray hood can be added to keep the forward sections dry. The BayRaider is ketch-rigged with a gunter-style mainmast. The topmast and mizzen are both carbon-fiber, which is an option for the mainmast as well. The BayRaider can be sailed with a dry hull in lighter conditions or with 300 pounds of water ballast to increase its stability. With the centerboard and hinged rudder raised, the boat can maneuver in even the thinnest water.

$28,900, (904) 234-8779, swallowyachts.com

12 1/2 foot Beetle Cat

Big fun can come in small packages, especially if your vessel of choice happens to be the 12 ½-foot Beetle Cat. Designed by John Beetle and first built in 1921, the wooden shallow draft sailboat is still in production today in Wareham, Massachusetts at the Beetle Boat Shop. With a draft of just 2 feet, the boat is well-suited for shallow bays, but equally at home in open coastal waters. The single gaff-rigged sail provides plenty of power in light air and can be quickly reefed down to handle a blow. In a word, sailing a Beetle Cat is fun. beetlecat.com

West Wight Potter P 19

West Wight Potter P 19

With berths for four and a workable galley featuring a cooler, a sink, and a stove, West Wight Potter has packed a lot into its 19-foot-long P 19. First launched in 1971, this is a line of boats that’s attracted a true following among trailer-sailors. The P 19′s fully retractable keel means that you can pull up just about anywhere and go exploring. Closed-cell foam fore and aft makes the boat unsinkable, and thanks to its hard chine, the boat is reportedly quite stable under way. westwightpotter.com

NorseBoat 17.5

NorseBoat 17.5

Designed for rowing and sailing (a motor mount is optional), the Canadian-built NorseBoat 17.5—one of which was spotted by a CW editor making its way through the Northwest Passage with a two-man crew—features an open cockpit, a carbon-fiber mast, and a curved-gaff rig, with an optional furling headsail set on a sprit. The lapstrake hull is fiberglass; the interior is ply and epoxy. The boat comes standard with two rowing stations and one set of 9-foot oars. The boat is designed with positive flotation and offers good load-carrying capacity, which you could put to use if you added the available canvas work and camping tent. NorseBoats offers a smaller sibling, the 12.5, as well; both are available in kit form.

$19,000, (902) 659-2790, norseboat.com

Montgomery 17

Montgomery 17

Billed as a trailerable pocket cruiser, the Montgomery 17 is a stout-looking sloop designed by Lyle Hess and built out of fiberglass in Ontario, California, by Montgomery Boats. With a keel and centerboard, the boat draws just under 2 feet with the board up and can be easily beached when you’re gunkholing. In the cuddy cabin you’ll find sitting headroom, a pair of bunks, a portable toilet, optional shore and DC power, and an impressive amount of storage space. The deck-stepped mast can be easily raised using a four-part tackle. The builder reports taking his own boat on trips across the Golfo de California and on visits to California’s coastal islands. Montgomery makes 15-foot and 23-foot models, as well. If you’re in search of a small sailboat with a cabin, the Montgomery 17 has to be on your wish list.

CW Hood 32 Daysailer small sailboat

With long overhangs and shiny brightwork, the CW Hood 32 is on the larger end of the daysailer spectrum. Designers Chris Hood and Ben Stoddard made a conscious decision to forego a cabin and head in favor of an open cockpit big enough to bring 4 or 5 friends or family out for an afternoon on the water. The CW Hood 32 is sleek and graceful through the water and quick enough to do some racing, but keeps things simple with a self-tacking jib and controls that can be lead back to a single-handed skipper. A top-furling asymmetrical, electric sail drive and Torqeedo outboard are all optional. The CW Hood 32 makes for a great small family sailboat.  cwhoodyachts.com

Sun Cat from Com-Pac

Sun Cat from Com-Pac

Shallow U.S. East Coast bays and rock-strewn coasts have long been graced by cat boats, whose large, gaff-rigged mainsails proved simple and powerful both on the wind and, better yet, when reaching and running. The 17-foot-4-inch Sun Cat, built by Com-Pac Yachts, updates the classic wooden cat with its fiberglass hull and deck and the easy-to-step Mastender Rigging System, which incorporates a hinged tabernacle to make stepping the mast a one-person job. If you want a personal sailboat ideal for solo sailing, the Sun Can is a great choice. Belowdecks, the twin 6-foot-5-inch berths and many other features and amenities make this cat a willing weekender.

$19,800, (727) 443-4408, com-pacyachts.com

Catalina 16.5

Catalina 16.5

The Catalina 16.5 sits right in the middle of Catalina Yachts’ line of small sailboats, which range from the 12.5 to the 22 Capri and Sport, and it comes in both an easy-to-trailer centerboard model and a shoal-draft fixed-keel configuration. With the fiberglass board up, the 17-foot-2-inch boat draws just 5 inches of water; with the board down, the 4-foot-5-inch draft suggests good windward performance. Hull and deck are hand-laminated fiberglass. The roomy cockpit is self-bailing, and the bow harbors a good-sized storage area with a waterproof hatch. catalinayachts.com

Hobie 16

No roundup of best small sailboats (trailerable and fun too) would be complete without a mention of the venerable Hobie 16, which made its debut in Southern California way back in 1969. The company has introduced many other multihulls since, but more than 100,000 of the 16s have been launched, a remarkable figure. The Hobie’s asymmetric fiberglass-and-foam hulls eliminate the need for daggerboards, and with its kick-up rudders, the 16 can be sailed right up to the beach. Its large trampoline offers lots of space to move about or a good place to plant one’s feet when hanging off the double trapezes with a hull flying. The boat comes with a main and a jib; a spinnaker, douse kit, trailer, and beach dolly are optional features. hobiecat.com

Hunter 15

Novice sailors or old salts looking for simplicity could both enjoy sailing the Hunter 15. With a fiberglass hull and deck and foam flotation, the boat is sturdily built. The ample freeboard and wide beam provide stability under way, and the heavy-duty rubrail and kick-up rudder mean that you won’t have to worry when the dock looms or the going grows shallow. Both the 15 and its slightly larger 18-foot sibling come standard with roller-furling jibs.

$6,900/$9,500 (boat-show prices for the 15 and 18 includes trailers), (386) 462-3077, marlow-hunter.com

Super Snark

Super Snark

Under various owners, the Snark brand of sailboats, now built by Meyers Boat Co., has been around since the early 1970s. The Super Snark, at 11 feet, is a simple, easily car-topped daysailer that’s fit out with a lateen rig and sail. Billed as unsinkable, the five boats in the company’s line are built with E.P.S. foam, with the external hull and deck vacuum-formed to the core using an A.B.S. polymer. The Super Snark weighs in at 50 pounds, and with a payload capacity of 310 pounds, the boat can carry two.

$970, (800) 247-6275, meyersboat.com

Norseboat 21.5

Norseboat 21.5

Built in Canada, the NorseBoat 21.5 is a rugged looking craft that comes in a couple of configurations: one with an open cockpit and small doghouse, and another with a smaller cockpit and cabin that houses a double berth for two adults and optional quarter berths for the kids. Both carry NorseBoat’s distinctive looking carbon fiber gaff-rigged mast with main and jib (a sprit-set drifter is optional), and come with a ballasted stub keel and centerboard. Because of its lightweight design, the boat can be rowed and is easily trailered.

$36,000 (starting), 902-659-2790, norseboat.com

Flying Scot

Flying Scot

Talk about time-tested, the 19-foot Flying Scot has been in production since 1957 and remains a popular design today. Sloop rigged, with a conventional spinnaker for downwind work, the boat is an easily sailed family boat as well as a competitive racer, with over 130 racing fleets across the U.S. Its roomy cockpit can seat six to eight, though the boat is often sailed by a pair or solo. Hull and deck are a fiberglass and balsa core sandwich. With the centerboard up, the boat draws only eight inches. Though intended to be a daysailer, owners have rigged boom tents and berths for overnight trips, and one adventurous Scot sailor cruised his along inland waterways from Philadelphia to New Orleans.

RS Venture

Known primarily for its line of racing dinghys, RS Sailing also builds the 16-foot, 4-inch Venture, which it describes as a cruising and training dinghy. The Venture features a large, self-draining cockpit that will accommodate a family or pack of kids. A furling jib and mainsail with slab reefing come standard with the boat; a gennaker and trapeze kit are options, as is an outboard motor mount and transom swim ladder. The deck and hull are laid up in a fiberglass and Coremat sandwich. The Venture’s designed to be both a good performer under sail, but also stable, making it a good boat for those learning the sport.

$14,900, 203-259-7808, rssailing.com

Topaz Taz

Topper makes a range of mono- and multihull rotomolded boats, but the model that caught one editor’s eye at Strictly Sail Chicago was the Topaz Taz. At 9 feet, 8 inches LOA and weighing in at 88 pounds, the Taz is not going to take the whole crowd out for the day. But, with the optional mainsail and jib package (main alone is for a single child), the Taz can carry two or three kids or an adult and one child, and would make a fun escape pod when tied behind the big boat and towed to some scenic harbor. The hull features Topper’s Trilam construction, a plastic and foam sandwich that creates a boat that’s stiff, light, and durable, and shouldn’t mind being dragged up on the beach when it’s time for a break.

$2,900 (includes main and jib), 410-286-1960, topazsailboats.com

WindRider WRTango

WindRider WRTango

WRTango, a fast, sturdy, 10-foot trimaran that’s easy to sail, is the newest portable craft from WindRider International. It joins a line that includes the WR16 and WR17 trimarans. The Tango features forward-facing seating, foot-pedal steering, and a low center of gravity that mimics the sensation of sitting in a kayak. It weighs 125 pounds (including the outriggers and carbon-fiber mast), is extremely stable, and has single-sheet sail control. The six-inch draft and kick-up rudder make it great for beaching, while the hull and outriggers are made of rotomolded polyethylene, so it can withstand running into docks and being dragged over rocks.

$3,000, 612-338-2170, windrider.com

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IMAGES

  1. GUNKHOLING San Francisco Bay

    gunkholing sailboats

  2. Gunkholing in a Macgregor 22 Sailboat

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  3. Delta Gunkholing Sail

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  4. PREVIEW: Virtues of a Small Boat

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  5. Venture 17 Gunkholing and Racing The Big Boats

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COMMENTS

  1. The Joy of Gunkholing

    The Joy of Gunkholing. There's more to cruising than wide-open spacesI glanced to port at the anvil-shaped cloud rising high over the mainland to the west, then at the genoa eased to catch a southerly breeze blowing anemically up the Johns River off Elizabeth's stern. My heavy full-keel Bristol 24 barely moved.

  2. The Fine Art of Gunkholing

    July in Lake Huron s North Channel is a special time. The cruising season is in full swing and what is normally a quiet wilderness area begins to come to life with cruisers looking for the perfect anchorage. Last year my family and I spent nearly a month in the North Channel visiting sleepy ports, rugged islands and one of the world s largest freshwater fjords.The 1,000-mile round trip

  3. GUNKHOLING: the lost art of cruising

    While Gunkholing may sound like a smelly and messy activity, it is for many cruisers the ultimate goal in cruising. It is finding the small, quaint, and most importantly private place to drop anchor. ... Because of the slow pace, this type of cruising is best enjoyed by those cruising by sailboat or ...

  4. Top Tips for Gunkholing

    Top Tips for Gunkholing. Decades of northern Great Lakes gunkholing has provided a lesson or three. Life is good in an anchorage with nothing but the wind, water, and pines for company. You climb from your berth and start the stove for coffee, warming the cabin. You check your position, looking out the ports as the sun is about to rise.

  5. Gunkholing

    Gunkholing. Boats in shallow water on Cortes Island, British Columbia. Gunkholing is a boating referring to a type of cruising in shallow or shoal water, meandering from place to place, spending the nights in coves. The term refers to the gunk, or mud, typical of the creeks, coves, marshes, sloughs, and rivers that are referred to as gunkholes.

  6. The Art of Gunkholing

    Gunkholing is an exploratory boating art that seeks out hideaway coves and creeks in search of solace and serenity. It is the antithesis of marina-hopping, wherein less adventurous cruisers might linger for days, weeks, months, even years. ... not bound and held prisoner by ropes and power lines and close enough to other boats to touch and ...

  7. The Fine Art of Gunkholing

    A boat anchored on chain rode will swing much less freely than a boat anchored on rope. Gunkholing is all about exploration. Some creative seamanship and boat handling can go a long way toward opening up new cruising grounds and anchorages.

  8. GUNKHOLING WITH THE OLDIES

    It is these old boat that will take us into the wonderful world of Gunkholing! This is from the journal of my Sea Mistress, a boat I bought in 1968 and she was a 21 foot Venture, my very first large sailboat but not my first gunkholing trip. That was done with an old plywood boat called a Sailfish!

  9. Gunkholing with the Gators

    Gunkholing with the Gators. Wildlife, winding rivers, and long, empty beaches make for a shoal-draft cruise of epic proportions in the Florida Everglades ... we resisted the urge to take the boat into Everglades City, site of the park's northern headquarters, or to the nearby island community of Chokoloskee. Now famous for backcountry fly ...

  10. gunkholesailing.com

    Captain's Log 2023. "Gunkholing is a boating term referring to a type of cruising in shallow or shoal water, meandering from place to place, spending the nights in coves…. gunkholers typically seek out the serenity of isolated anchorages over the crowds of marinas and popular bays .". - Wikipedia.

  11. Venture 17 Gunkholing and Racing The Big Boats

    Venture 17 Gunkholing and Racing The Big Boats Article By Richard Frye (continuation from gunkholing article) That time period was when I had my 1968 Venture 21, and that was back in the early 70s! Wish I had another V-21, but that is why I have her little sister now....the Venture 17.

  12. Nimble Kodiak Sailboat Review

    Anybody who's ever been to a major boat show and had the good fortune to shoot the breeze about nothing in particular with builder Gerry Koch, or discuss the merits of gunkholing in the Pacific Northwest with designer Ted Brewer, is well on his way to understanding what the Nimble Kodiak is all about. A charming little double-ended motor ...

  13. Com-Pac 23

    The hull shape of the Com-Pac 23 is deceptive, the boat has a long 20-foot, 2-inch waterline. The theoretical hull speed is 6 knots and owners report hitting this fairly regularly on a reach. The hull shape is a bit prone to pitching but more importantly, it doesn't pound in a chop.

  14. See the Bay: Gunkholing South Chesapeake

    See the Bay: Gunkholing Southbound on the Chesapeake Bay. Posted September 20, 2023. Must-See Stops for Cruising Sailors Headed Southbound on the Chesapeake Bay. ... We know we picked the best one since the only other cruiser in the river anchored 500 feet from us. A public boat ramp on the creek offers convenient access to shore.

  15. Feeling 44

    The Feeling 44 is another offshore cruiser with gunkholing capability; its optional lifting keel reduces draft from 8 feet, 6 inches to 2 feet. Considerable fixed ballast is built into the bottom of the hull to enhance stability and provide a solid grounding plate. This cruiser is thin-water friendly—its shallow rudder provides positive control with the keel fully retracted.

  16. 2022 Boat of the Year: Best Dinghy

    The all-up price for a new boat, with everything you need to go racing or gunkholing, is currently $15,000. The magic to keeping the Happy Cat's tubular platform stiff is the anodized aluminum ...

  17. Getaway Guide To Chesapeake Bay 'Gunkholing'

    August 18, 2016 / 7:00 AM EDT / CBS Philadelphia. "Gunkholing" is simply the practice of guiding a boat into a secluded, scenic cove, find just the right spot with a breeze on a warm day, water ...

  18. Cape Cod Shipbuilding

    Cradle. $750.00. Trailer galvanized lift off. $4,528.00. Trailer tie down package. $420.00. Name painting & delivery also available. Cape Cod Shipbuilding Co. has been manufacturing, maintaining and providing storage since 1899 for fine quality, pleasure sailboats in the Buzzards Bay area of Massachusetts.

  19. 5 Sailboats with Exceptional Cockpits

    The boat is small, but the Catalina 275 still earns points for its spacious cockpit. It's easier to get a large cockpit on a large boat, but on the opposite end of the big cruising boat spectrum is the sporty Catalina 275. This sailboat builds a clever cockpit into much less space. Designer Gerry Douglas has always understood the importance ...

  20. Provisioning for Gunkholing and Voyaging on Small Light

    Small boats are wet environments. Stowage space; dehydrated meals, just add water. I figure roughly 1.5 liters of food per person per day. So 4 people for 2 weeks is roughly 84 liters of stowage space or 3 cubic feet of food. I usually carry about double that though, since my boat has about 7 cubic feet of food storage.

  21. 20 Best Small Sailboats for the Weekender

    The boat is designed with positive flotation and offers good load-carrying capacity, which you could put to use if you added the available canvas work and camping tent. NorseBoats offers a smaller sibling, the 12.5, as well; both are available in kit form. $19,000, (902) 659-2790, norseboat.com.

  22. Pocket Cruisers and Trailer-sailers for Every Sailing Style

    At around $4,500, this boat looks ideal for low-key gunkholing, fishing or just plain messing about on a sunny afternoon. Diva 24 DC I saw the Diva 24 DC at a European boat show last year and was impressed not only with its attractive looks—the teak-lookalike antiskid on the deck and in the cockpit gave it some extra class—but its build ...