WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
If you're invited to sail aboard Sunspot Baby, the following information might be helpful.
Sunspot Baby is officially documented with the US Coast Guard (USCG) as a yacht, but that term means different things to different people. She is certainly no luxury yacht. She may look large when you first see her, but after getting everyone in the cabin and trying to find space for all the stuff you brought, she can seem cozy to say the least.
She has auxiliary diesel engines and a portable 110v generator but there is no heating or air-conditioning. Cabins have small fans that do a good job of circulating the air. We purchased her for our own enjoyment and to share with family and friends. She is not a commercial or charter vessel with all the comfort and amenities of such boats.
The information that follows is general in nature. If we plan a cruise to areas with different expected conditions, we will supplement this information with trip specific instructions.
While sailing US waters our cell phones usually work acceptably well. If you don't already have the numbers, we will give them to you in plenty of time before we sail. Both phones have voice mail, so if they are in use or we are out of range, we can get messages and return calls later. If you have your own cell phone, feel free to bring it. You will be able to plug your charger in on the boat. Using your US cell phone in foreign countries can run up huge roaming charges, so just be aware.
During long cruises we have limited email capability on the boat. We cannot get attachments and since we pay by the character, we encourage only short messages. You will get the email address before you come aboard. Please limit its distribution to only the very few that must know. It would be best to give it to only one person and have all others channel information through that contact point. While at home in North Carolina, we do not have on board email.
Pack VERY light for this trip. You’ll be wearing swimsuits or shorts most of the time. If we could stress anything, it would be that you can never bring too little to wear. Getting dressed up for dinner ashore usually means no more than a nice shirt with collar and long pants or a lightweight dress.
Pack in luggage than can be folded for storage as there is limited space on board. Other crewmembers won’t mind seeing you in the same shorts and shirts several times, and people ashore won’t know how long you have worn them. A windblown look with wet hair is high fashion. Pack small cloth items (i.e. socks, underwear, etc.) in zip-locks, even a zip-lock for toiletries for showering ashore.
Bring non-marking shoes with good traction that dry easily. Sometimes sailing gets pretty active and you want to be able to move around the deck without slipping. Bare feet are SLIPPERY and the sun on the deck can make it very hot. A shoe that can be worn with socks might be best. Your feet may get wet and socks reduce chaffing. In warm weather we often wear sport sandals such as Tivas. Many cruisers wear Crocs but if the sole becomes worn, they can be very slick.
There is sunscreen on the boat, but if you have a brand preference, bring plenty of your own. There are towels and bedding on the boat. If we are in an area where we can snorkel, a shirt and pants that can get wet are good sunburn protection. Also a light sweater or jacket is good. It can be cool on deck in the evenings. Surf socks are great for wading. There is no supply of snorkel gear on board. If you want to snorkel bring your own mask and fins.
Note: The waters of the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound are not particularly good for snorkeling. Visibility is too low, there is not a lot to see and at times the water is loaded with small stinging jellyfish. Check with us before packing to find out if we will visit an area with good snorkeling.
Consider the following as a starting
point for packing:
Shorts and light shirts/tops
Long sleeve cotton cover up
More than one swimming suit
Hat with wide brim and restraining tie of some sort
Hair ties for long hair
Camera and film
Non-skid, non-marking shoes
At least one pair of sunglasses with restraint (i.e. Croakie. There are a few
spares on the boat.)
Spare pair of prescription glasses, if you have them
Something to read (there are always books on the boat but the selection
varies)
Sailing gloves if you feel the need
Any special batteries you may need. We usually have a good supply of
ordinary batteries on board.
Don’t forget any medicines you may need. There is a well-equipped first aid kit on board.
Remember that anything that goes aboard a boat stands a good chance of getting wet. Storing cameras, personal CD players, etc. in a sturdy zip-lock bag is a good idea.
Sunspot Baby has a 110-volt generator and a limited number of outlets. There is a small hairdryer on board. Other systems on the boat run on 12-volt power just like your car. There is a stereo CD player, but no way to play a cassette tape. If you have favorite music, feel free to bring it. If you have personal CD or tape players they are good too. Make sure any such items you bring are identified as your property. There is no TV reception aboard but there may be one on which we can watch an occasional movie.
Sunspot Baby carries 175 gallons of fresh water for cleaning up and personal hygiene. While that water is potable, it isn’t too tasty. We carry an ample supply of fresh drinking water in jugs for making coffee and juices as well as drinking. 175 gallons sounds like a lot but it isn’t.
When cruising in clear water, we use a small reverse osmosis desalinization unit to make fresh water for drinking. It does not give us an unlimited supply, but it certainly stretches the length of time we can stay out of port and it tastes wonderful.
At the crew briefing you will receive information on water conservation techniques aboard.
Sunspot Baby has all required USCG safety equipment including but not limited to personal flotation devices (life vests) and fire extinguishers. All crewmembers get a crew briefing before departing from the dock or anchorage. This briefing will include a safety orientation.
Sunspot Baby is a 38’ catamaran with an 18’ 5” beam. Catamarans by their very nature are more stable on the water than monohull boats. Still there will be unfamiliar motion and people who are particularly susceptible to motion sickness may suffer. There is Dramamine on board. It is supposed to be "non-drowsy" but perhaps is just "less drowsy." If you have another preference bring your own. All such medications work best if taken before the onset of motion sickness.
While a guest on Sunspot Baby you will be an active member of the crew. All duties are shared. Conditions permitting all crewmembers will get a chance at the helm. If we are making a passage or on an insecure anchorage position, you may have to stand watch for a few hours per night. Meal preparation and clean up is shared. Trimming sails, anchoring, docking, etc. require the participation of all hands.
We don’t control the weather so must take whatever conditions there are. In our home cruising ground (Neuse River and the Pamlico Sound) we are usually close to sheltered anchorages so seldom have to sail in extreme weather. In the Bahamas, we can be a long way from a protected anchorage and things can get more than a little exciting. Also we cannot be sure that there will be ample wind to sail. In such cases we turn on the “iron wind”, our two Volvo diesel engines, and go where and when we like.
Speed is a relative term. Catamarans are thought to be fast but Sunspot Baby is built more for safety and comfort than speed. She is fairly heavy and is conservatively rigged. Sailing speed is relative to the amount of wind, roughness of the water and the point of sail. We have had her over 8 knots in favorable conditions, but usually we are slower. She will cruise at about 6 knots on the engines. Less wind means a slower boat. In stronger winds we would probably reduce sail and not go much faster. Under sail, we also have to go where the wind lets us and often cannot sail a straight line to where we want. That adds time to the journey.
This is no Hobie Cat. We won’t be “flying a hull” or zipping through the water at 18 knots.
Pet Problem
If we are out on a day sail, the four legged member of the crew may or may not be with us. If, however, we are out for an extended time, then Toby, our 60 lb. dog will probably be on board. We make reasonable efforts to bathe, brush, and de-sand him, but the boat is never absolutely free of dog hair when he is along. Like most pet owners, we seem to be blind to his undesirable traits. Our apologies to our non-dog adapted friends.
We look forward to having you aboard. We hope you enjoy your time aboard Sunspot Baby
George and Lynn Stateham