What is the smallest size boat, that you can safely take on the atlantic? Either sailing or motor?

Question

I was thinking of getting a boat I could live on and take from London England to East coast Canada during the summer.

We're not experienced but would gain as much as possible before trying obviously but wondered what the best size boat would be to look into buying and what features would be of benefit... ??? Thanks for any help and thank you to those of you who have answered already *s*

Answer 1

having sailed about 25000 miles in my life here's my thoughts:
30-40 foot is perfect for a couple..its big enough to carry food fuel water needed for a passage, but not so big two people cant handle it....and also proportionally less expensive; a well equipped 50 footer is 2x the price of a 35 foot.......

have a good wind vane self steering system and an electric back up...Monitor/Aries and an Autohelm

for Canada , a radar and know how to use it.fog, you know......

don't put ANYTHING on the boat....including engine, radar, refrigeration, radio that you cant fix yourself or do without.

Sail whatever boat you get as many times as possible FIRST.short day trips weekends bank holidays week at a time. Gain as much experience handling the boat....and also just in living aboard before you set out. Open ocean sailing is actually less nerve wracking than coastal cruising with fog, rocks and other ships and boats around!

Here's a point about your suggested trip....the prevailing winds and the Gulf Stream run FROM Canada to the UK...a direct trip from Cornwall to Halifax is about 2800 miles; tacking upwind adds 50%; a 35 footer will sail at about 4 knots average so you're looking at 45 days......and the Gulf Stream will set you back 25-50 miles a day so it will be a LONG trip...

since about 1500 sailors have found, especially in summer, it's shorter ( in time) to go south out of England down towards the Azores to about 20 degrees Latitude; then west with the Trade Winds to the Caribbean Islands then north up between Bermuda and the US and then into New England and Canada than to try to go due west from Ol Blighty.....

if you only have summers, how about doing it in two parts....one year to the Caribbean, leave the boat in the British Virgin Islands or Antigua, then the next year head up to Maine and Nova Scotia in June.....18 days from St Thomas to Maine........

Answer 2

That is a tricky question because there is no boat that can ensure your safety. I would not cross the Atlantic in any boat smaller than 40 ft, and 50 would be better. Also you would need a seriously good route as that crossing from England to Canada is tricky at best---the Titanic couldn't do it. You will also need some good instruction and plenty of experience before attempting it. Why don't you crew on some sailing boats and see if you even like it. There are trawlers that are like houses on the water that are nice for living on and traveling in. A nice smaller sized trawler would be about 60 ft.

Answer 3

Well a few years ago the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2 while crossing the Atlantic met a freak wave that was 30 meters (90 foot) high.
This broke over the front of the boat as high as the bridge shaking up everybody at 2 am in the morning and causing a small amount of damage.
So in answer to your question ,there is no safe small size.
To venture out there in the atlantic you need the gods on your side.
If the intention is just coastal then ,as long as you watch the weather and carry vhf radio ,20 ft would suffice.

Answer 4

The question is what do you want to do with this boat!

There are jet-skis, probably about 10 feet long running around close to shore. I've raced a 22 foot sailboat many times in the Atlantic.

And if I recall, a guy named Manory sailed to England (or from England) solo in a boat 13 feet long! (circa 1970)

So what do you want to do and how safe do you want to be?

The Titanic was a 'big' boat, brand new, that sank, mainly because of arrogance and ignorance.

Your personal knowledge and safety are key. Take a power squadron course and learn.

Answer 5

The weather conditions will dictate the size boat you can safely take out on the Atlantic.
I have seen 12 foot aluminum boats go out into the Gulf of Mexico when the weather is calm.
Just be careful when you decide to go out into the open water.

Answer 6

Depends on your purpose or mission. I have had mine out to the 1 mile buoy and beyond off the coast of Carolina Beach and it is a 15 ft motorboat with an 85 hp motor. Just depends on what you want to do.. I have seen flat bottom John boats out that far too..........

Answer 7

John Guzzwell sailed "Trekka", 20 foot 6 inches (no longer even 7 meters) international. So a 12m yacht is the lap of luxury, and secure. that's you it relatively is the hazardous factor, till you have studied and gained journey. in case you choose a occupation in crusing, the British expert yachting skills are in super call for international for paid team and stay-aboard skippers.

Answer 8

Depends on how far and for what purpose. I've sailed various classes of dinghies on the Atlantic, not far out.

Answer 9

I would think that it depends on the skill of the boater and the weather/sea conditions. I don't think I would feel comfortable in anything smaller than about 18 feet though.