Essential Ocean Passage Strategies: Real Lessons from the Water

1. Detailed Passage Planning & Weather Awareness

• Study prevailing weather patterns for your chosen region and season
• Pick an approximate departure date, but be flexible
• Begin watching the weather closely about two weeks out
• Utilize resources for accurate 7-day forecasts, including wind direction and speed, swell, and precipitation
• Understand how to use the Gulf Stream to your advantage when going north, but be cautious when heading south—especially with any northerly wind components

2. Waiting for the Optimal Weather Window

• The fundamental rule for avoiding trouble is to wait for a favorable weather window
• Consider departing in light conditions to ease into the trip, or on the tail of a weather system that will provide an initial boost
• Remember that most forecasts are reliably accurate for only 3–5 days out; beyond that, conditions become unpredictable—so always plan for unexpected scenarios
• Avoid setting a rigid departure date or schedule to prevent forcing yourself into adverse conditions to meet a deadline, which is “complete folly”

3. Comprehensive Offshore Sailing Preparation & Emergency Readiness

• Conduct an annual haulout to service critical boat components, including:
  • Saildrives
  • Engines
  • Ground tackle
  • Steering
  • Rigging
  • Charging systems
  • Navigation lights
  • Sails
• Thoroughly check and test all emergency gear:
  • Renew your EPIRB with updated information
  • Verify MOB strobe light batteries are good and flares are in date
  • Ensure your MOB horseshoe ring and lifesling are properly attached, and life jackets and harnesses are easily accessible
  • Confirm your life raft is in date and easily accessible—and that every crew member knows how to operate it

4. Reliable Navigation Gear

• Test your VHF radio and carry at least one handheld VHF for emergencies
• Ensure your autopilot functions well—and if possible, carry a spare
• Radar is highly recommended, particularly for areas with heavy fog or busy shipping channels
• Verify your GPS functions correctly and have a spare handheld
• ALWAYS have paper charts as a critical backup in case all electronic systems fail
• Log your trip diligently

5. Critical Water Management

• Fill all water tanks—and double-check this task, as it can be “life or death” (Stephen and Estelle always do this themselves)
• Isolate one water tank specifically for emergencies
• Even with watermakers, diligent management is key
• Conserve fresh water by showering daily in seawater off the back of the boat (if conditions allow), followed by a quick freshwater rinse
• For passages over a week, allocate about one gallon of fresh water per person per day for showers and cleaning (drink as much as needed)

6. Marine Fuel & Battery Management

• Ensure your fuel is as clean as possible by having tanks cleaned and fuel polished (contaminants can cause significant issues)
• Fill all fuel tanks before departure and manage this resource carefully
• Calculate your motoring distance (e.g., under a gallon per hour per engine, running one engine at a time)
• Have spare impellers, fan belts, and fuel filters—and know how to change them (an engine course is advisable)
• Manage your charging system diligently
• Maintain batteries by charging ~2 hours per day (generators often use less fuel than engines for this)
• Utilize solar panels—they can provide an additional 60–80 amps per day in good conditions
• Always be careful not to waste this vital resource