What is the smallest boat type that could safely cross an ocean?

Question

I'm not talking about a 16' Boston Whaler that could conceivably make it across the Atlantic but a boat that could cross safely and keep it's passengers comfortable.

Answer 1

Maybe a fast response catter

Answer 2

There is no way to safely cross the ocean. Every form of transportation has danger of one form or another.

Answer 3

40 viking

Answer 4

What you need is a "very heavy displacement" sailboat with a full keel.  Now... having said that, let me add that this is true regardless of the size vessel.  For an ocean going, ocean passage sailboat - heavy displacement can be compared to the difference in the ride and comfort between driving a  Volkswagon  - compared to riding in Lincoln.

Friends of mine (boating friends) think I don't get sea sick...

but... I do - or at least, I would too - if I were on their boat... but though their boat is the same length as mine... mine is built for the sea... my sailboat displaces 38,000 lbs where as their vessel displaces 18,000 lbs... and the difference is, while they are hanging on for dear life... I'm having a cappichinno and watching to see how many times I see their rudder rise clear out of the water...

So... a "heavy displacement" true ocean passage vessel is rule #1

Next... you mention "passengers" but you don't say how many... Hmmm that leaves that door wide open...

My 60 footer (and you can see pictures of it - inside and out) will (and has) handled the Atlantic all the way to Greece with 3 couples... it was cozy, but quite comfortable and accomodating... another couple on board for that long a cruise would have been one couple too many...

My son has a 30 footer and he and my daughter in law just love it... They just got back from an 11 month cruise that took them from Galveston to Casa Blanca, and then back across to Venezula and up through the Caribbean back to Galveston... and they complain about not enough room or space for that long a voyage... (and that is just 2 people)...

So... maybe that will give you an idea...

Now... I have taken the liberty to discuss only sailboats... I did not mention power boats for three reasons...

1. the cost of fuel

2. the amount of fuel required  

3. you asked about the "smallest & safest"

Their are typically two routes across the Atlantic... the Northern route, or the Southern route...

On the Southern route, you will have 1,800 nm between fuel stops - as you can get fuel in Bermuda and in the Canary Islands.  

On the Northern route, the shortest navigable distance between New York City and Southampton and that is 3,169 nautical miles between fuel stops.

Whether sail or power, if you can make 100 nm a day - it will be a good day... and of course, that is forward motion for 24 hours a day... (no rest for the weary... )

So, you need to consider this when you consider the size of your vessel... you will need a minimum of 32 days of food, water, etc. plus some provisions for emergency (my son and I always pack cans of Ensure in our emergency float box - which take up a small amount of space and you can survive on just two cans a day even without water.

So, needless to say... if your talking "small" you are not talking power... fuel weighs 7 lbs a gallon... and you will need at least 1200 gallons of fuel plus (depending on how many people - several hundred gallons of water...  And since there are 8 gallons in one cubic foot, you need almost 200 cubic feet just to store fuel and water...  That's not small...

I am sorry... I apoligize in advance... but Steve T is one of those people that should just never get out of bed in the mornings...  I feel so bad for these people because they  miss out on so much in life...

You can see pics (inside and outside) of my sailboat "Enchantment" and my kids 30 footer "Twiga" and possibly find some good additional information for your boat selection... at:

http://boatwrights.org/marina.html

Happy & Safe Boating!