Experienced sailor but less so in the US. Looking for input from the community.

Posted by -good-squishy-@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 30 comments

I’m planning a 10 day, self guided trip with three mates to celebrate a 40th in 2027. Our group has mixed experience of American waters.

Our experience:
1 x ASA certified skipper (lots of experience sailing all over Europe, 3 seasons experience sailing Sausalito and New York. Open sea sailing, catamarans, motorboats, jet skis, windsurfing, river kayaking (In Ireland and Sweden)

Another person spent two summers guiding rapid trips in Northern California and as my brother has shared in much of my experience but has not pursued any accreditation or licensing and has not sailed in the US at all.

I’m not certain of the experience level of the other two but for arguments sake let’s say little to modest. They have participated in some kayaking, sailing, camping as friends but they’re not necessarily hobbies of their own.

I know the limits of my experience and am looking to the community for help in steering me in the right direction given the composition of my party.

I envision a
* Point to point, fully self supported
* Camping by or near or sleeping on the boat most nights
* Clear warm water, morning swims are non-negotiable
* Dark skies, dramatic landscape, feeling genuinely small
* Campfire cooking, cold beer, some fishing

I’m interested in the communities take on:
* What won’t we find on any website
* What would you suggest instead and why
* What do you wish someone had told you before your first American trip

Also genuinely open to being redirected entirely.

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Far_District9145@reddit

Gulf of Maine. Water is warm up the tops of the bays and reaches and there are both remote islands and anchorages to camp at and sweet old school resorts to get shore time at with mooring rentals (and often launch service). If you go, get the Maine Cruising guide.

mwax321@reddit

I don't think you guys understand how big the US is.

You might want to give us a hint at the geography you're looking for.

Crystal clear warm water is going to be a limiting factor for sure.

H0LD_FAST@reddit

X2. I think the list is a perfect set of requirements, but I don’t think one area is going to meet all those criteria to be honest (unless you are fine with 67 degree water for the morning swim).

Im a bit confused by the “camping” aspect. Either you’re sleeping on the boat or not. Are you trying to pack tents and sleeping bags/pads?

Honestly it sounds like the sea of Cortez is the region you’re looking for.

-good-squishy-@reddit (OP)

We like to camp some nights off the boat. For example when we sailed in the Cyclades Islands, we camped some nice of the small islands. Brought a telescope, a cooler, no fire, all stars.

The boat gets us to hard to reach places which I find serene to camp in.

We of course also enjoy sleeping under the stars on the boat too. Especially when the weather permits sleeping on deck.

Wilhelm-Edrasill@reddit

Yeah " The great loop" is 6,000 miles alone? That takes over a year by itself.

Novel-Atmosphere8995@reddit

Hawaii isn't going to be a great fit. Limited point to point, no campfires or camping. I would say Florida Keys, or somewhere PNW if you give up the warm water. Or, if you are ok with fresh water, you could have fun on Lake Champlain or a great lake. Again, giving up warm water.

Raneynickelfire@reddit

I would consider Lake Erie "warm" (75F) after 4th of july.. Erie gets warm.

I’ve just recently read about the loop and the Erie Canal specifically. Have you sailed or tug boated it?

thebemusedmuse@reddit

BVIs and it’s not even close. Can’t promise camp fires but get a boat with a grill.

futurebigconcept@reddit

Agree on BVIs. If you have to stay in the US, I would cruise the Channel Islands in Southern California.

Its like one island - Catalina..... skip ?

There are eight islands in the California Channel Islands; Catalina is only one of them. At least one island is inaccessible due to military control; another couple are inaccessible due to rocky shore conditions. But one of the largest, Santa Cruz Island, is a nature reserve, has amazing natural sea caves and protected coves all around its perimeter.

Yeah but to anchor out? Catalina really is the only island. The others, not much to see.

Disagree. I spent a great week circling Santa Cruz Island, anchored in every cove.

If you have to stay in the US, go to the USVIs and it's not even close :)

I prefer the USVIs by land, but that's only because the BVIs are epic by boat.

Arizona_Sailor@reddit

Warm water on lakes & oceans means insects. Beach camping becomes unpleasant and the nights are hot and/or humid. You can minimize this by anchoring out. I and my group of friends have chartered the San Juans, Channel Islands, Nantucket, Sea of Cortez/Baja, Bahamas & Italy. I’ll add Thailand & Fiji just to show off. “THE” best charter grounds are the British Virgin Islands, the BVI. Hands down, the best place to go. Though pricey, one can also enter the lottery for a private Grand Canyon raft trip or go with a guided trip. The odds are slim, might want to keep that in your pocket for the 50.

Human_Management8541@reddit

USVIs. Meghan bay in st Thomas is great. The fisherman wake you up early, but and you need to pay for park entrance if you are going to be using the park amenities. St john is great too. Got on navily and look at anchorages.

Icy_Respect_9077@reddit

South shore Lake Superior might be the place for you. Apostle Island and area has sandy beaches, clear water, and it's (relatively) sheltered. Check "La Sirene - Adventure and Trailerable Sailboat" on YT. They also did a trip to the North Channel (Ontario).

happycappy1314@reddit

Check out the crusing guide and charters of Great Lakes Sailing Company in Traverse City Michigan. It's a fairly easy sail to the northern portion of Lake Michigan or Lake Huron, where you can easily do everything you're interested in.

scriminal@reddit

clear warm water cuts out quite a bit of American waters. US BVI is probably your best bet. plan to stay on the boat, but you may be able to get a permit to beach camp some places.

American waters encompasses the Artic waters of Alaska, the tropical waters of Hawaii and the Caribbean, three multiple thousand miles long ocean coastlines stretching from the north to south Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico, five enormous inland seas, and one of the world's longest rivers. That's all before you get to tens of thousands of smaller inland lakes. This is all to say you we have to be much more specific.

chisailor@reddit

Sounds like you are looking for the north channel of Lake Huron.

Moondance_sailor@reddit

New England summer if you stay south will have warm waters and cold beer. Lots of anchorages but not a lot of public land to camp. Stay on the boat at anchor or in a marina. Some charters but harder to come by.

AllIsNotWells@reddit

What time of year and how warm is warm? Northern Lake Michigan would satisfy most of those requirements and there are a few small bareboat charters operating out of places like Traverse City. Lake Superior too. Point to point will be a non-starter but I cant think of a better place to sail that has wilderness, dark skies, and beach camping. But don’t underestimate the Great Lakes, it’s big water sailing with serious weather.

Nearby_Maize_913@reddit

Totally agree. I think northern great lakes are a very underrated place to sail. Water is always too chilly for me even late August, but I tend to be a wuss when it comes to cold water

honestfyi@reddit

It’s free cryotherapy!

Also OP I second the vote for Michigan.

ImpressiveFault8542@reddit

Iala buoyage "B" Have at er

Waterlifer@reddit

The USA is a bigger place than most people realize. There are many separate and distinct sailing areas that offer the things you seek. The USA has seasons, so the time when you go matters in a way that it does not in someplace like Aruba.

The areas of the USA that are remote/dark sky and have good sailing, are going to be cold water destinations. You can still go for a morning swim, but it will be in 20* C water or whatever. Or you will be limited to an extremely short seasonal window.

Infamous-Adeptness71@reddit

Warm enough for morning swims, but cool enough to sail-camp?

I believe you are headed to Miami/FL Keys.

0FO6@reddit

If you are specifically going to charter with those requirements then you are pretty much limited to the USVI, puerto rico, or Hawaii. Maybe the florida keys but that would be about it. Shouldn't be an issue to get a charter out of any of those with your experience. May involve less camping, unless you buy a simple boat rather than charter one and while that might be possible, it probably would be uncomfortable.

Those are pretty much the only locales in the US that have clear warm water for morning swims.