First night out in my 16, any tips?

T

tparrent

New member
I will spend Saturday night on the hook somewhere down by Oriental NC.

I have taken the 16 out quite a bit on local lakes around Raleigh but have not (and never intended to) camped on it yet. Truth be told, I'm not much of a camper but I am meeting some friends down there who are cruising on their small sailboat so I figured, why not? (To be clear, I have spent many of my best nights aboard various large sailboats I have owned)

I am looking for something more comfortable for one and two night voyages but figure I will use what I've got until the right one comes along.

Fortunately, the low temperature is suppsed to be 65 so I should stay warm. The bugs are probably out so I may sleep under netting since I don't think the canvas backwall will keep any bugs out.

I am a little over 6 feet tall so the berth will be tight. I thought about putting a board underneath the cushion to extend the length but it seemed too complicated for just one night.

I appreciate any suggestions!
 
Are you trailering to Oriental?

I live in Oriental and may be able to offer some suggestions as to where to drop a hook, etc.
 
I am trailering from Cary down to Vandermere where my friends are hanging on the hook now. I appreciate any suggestions for q quick day trip around the area.

Thanks
 
Not much to say for 1 night. Use 2 anchors, keep the mast light on, have fun. I've made a quick breakdown bed extension for ours. We've done as long as a week on ours with 2 people and 2 beagles. We actually practiced a few nights in the driveway on the trailer to see what would be needed to make it more comfortable. I have some pics in my album of the extension.
 
Force yourself to take lots of pictures, sundown, sunup, etc. a good flashlight, a few liquid spirits works for us. Be able to make a decent cup of coffee in the am and watch the sun come up. If the gnats are bad try rubbing on some straight mineral oil. Another nice homemade bug repellent is a 50/50,mix of that green rubbing alchol mixed with skin so soft we use a CVS knock off of Skin so Soft. We don't mix up big batches of it. Because we are old and will forget where we put it. :? Seems to work for us and does not feel a creepy as some of the bug sprays. Oh, yeah maybe a selection of some music in the backround. Others will recommend the tools, setting your GPS anchor watch alarm radius, making sure to really set your anchor, let out plenty of scope, listen to the the weather forcast and make note of wind speeds and what direction it is going to be coming from. Pick a spot that shields you from that but you probably knew all that already. Remember the pictures. :photo

D.D.
 
Hi Tom,

I know you know how to boat, anchor, cruise, etc, and are specifically asking about overnight comfort on the 16... a comfortable sheet, blanket, and pillow. Dave's recommendation of Skin So Soft is good for the bugs. A battery operated fan (we use two small ones in the v-berth on Wild Blue) keeps it cool. A Gatorade jug for nature's call at night. Some snacks. Since I haven't seen the layout on your 16, I have no idea if there's any easy way to extend the berth for your height. so bring a couple extra pillows. A couple decent size fenders, since I assume you'll raft up with Charlie and Laura for at least part of the evening.

Have a great time, tell CJ&L that I said "Hi!" and we're outta Texas, too.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
If it's not too much trouble, take the table down. It will make getting in the bunk much easier. Sleeping on the 16 is like having been in the service-the more time that passes the more pleasant the memories. :wink:
 
tparrent":a62v8mxs said:
I am trailering from Cary down to Vandermere where my friends are hanging on the hook now. I appreciate any suggestions for q quick day trip around the area.
Click to expand...

Almost any direction you head in the Oriental area will afford you with some beautiful scenery.

One option would be to go to Beaufort for lunch. Approximately 20nm each way. There is a deli called the "Beaufort Grocery Company" (or something like that) that is within walking distance of the town docks and is an outstanding place to eat. You can walk all day in Beaufort visiting the nautical museum, fudge factory, etc. Lots of shops & lots of fun.

For a meal in Oriental we really like Toucan's. Good people, great atmosphere and very good food.

If you decide to go to Toucan's Saturday evening for a cold one let me know. I would enjoy meeting another C-Brat! :beer
 
Definitely, like dotnmarty said, take the table down. I removed mine after it's maiden voyage and never put it back. Almost 3 years now and I can't think of a use for it yet.
 
I really disagree with the table idea, I use mine all the time and to eat at. I also have my min-galley set up on it. Here are my suggestions:

Get a wide mouth bottle big enough to use for the whole night so you don't have to use the porta potti. It is easier during the night and when you get home.

Very easy to make a bed extender board that just shoves back under the mattress. Well worth it.

Take stuff off the boat you don't need. Being prepared is one thing, being cluttered is another.

Take a few extra batteries for flash lights etc.

Clean the boat iterior before you go. Lie down in the berth and see what you will smell and be next to all night before you get out there, and clean it up.

Put some foam pipe insulation along the knife edge of the cabin top leading out the the well deck. You are tall, and the cabin is short. In the morning, the cabin will be shorter and you will be taller. That padding will save you a bump or cut on the noggin.

Keep the deck clear, the 16 is small.

Take a real pillow.

A full size fitted sheet works well on a 16's v-berth.

Have fun.
 
JamesTXSD":3udix1u2 said:
... A Gatorade jug for nature's call at night....
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I don't know Jim - I might be inclined to avoid Gatorade and Mountain Dew bottles for natures call. It could be a startling first sip of these drinks the following day :lol:

Ha!
 
matt_unique":1vtjx2ob said:
JamesTXSD":1vtjx2ob said:
... A Gatorade jug for nature's call at night....
Click to expand...

I don't know Jim - I might be inclined to avoid Gatorade and Mountain Dew bottles for natures call. It could be a startling first sip of these drinks the following day :lol:

Ha!
Click to expand...

There is a reason I use one of those Porta-Johns, had since my pilot days. :wink:
 
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