[quote=mgriff]Well, my trip to the local lake to intentionally put my G-Cat over turned into a BBQ with a lot of kids taking turns riding around the lake. I felt it would be a little disconcerting to their parents if I went out and put the thing on its side (or turtled) in the middle of the lake. It was the first time on our little lake (Portage Lake - Jackson, MI) that I had enough wind to get her on one hull. Oh well.
So, the backpack that I had used is a pretty hardcore one and I always line it with one of those contractor trash bags (thick).
The cooler on the front of the boat is exactly as MN3 pointed out. I would not advise it.
If you can avoid the cooler all together that would be a better way to go, they are not worth the space they consume and detriment to the performance of the boat.
I have to tell you, I have been out on Michigan a few times and routinely have (on the H16) spent my time crashing through 4 footers. I don't mind this, usually, and it can be fun (you get to surf them coming back - well, if you are better at it than me anyway) but it was always by myself.
Two men and gear for a week - your looking at 400 to 500 lbs - that would make the H16 very difficult to sail and it would be crashing through 2 foot waves. I have never sailed the Prindle 16, so I do not know how this translates.
Don't get me wrong, I am all about the adventure, but planning is everything. I am not sure I have enough time to work out what I need to before taking a distance trip. (I am still very green on this G-Cat and need to undergo some catastrophe recovery training before I go on a multiday trip). I will be trying to get it back out there (without kids) but the weather will make the decision for me. If, by chance, the stars align I would go in a heartbeat. It is not very likely though.
Be safe out there, take nothing for granted and be willing to abort if it becomes too risky.
By the way, I don't know about your wetsuit but mine is like roasting in one of those turkey baking bags my Grandmother used to use at Thanksgiving. Part of the reason I don't mind crashing through waves is that getting wet is the only way to cool off. If you can avoid sailing when the sun is directly overhead, it helps a lot. I have tried to train putting the wetsuit on in the water and have never gotten down to under the amount of time it would take for hypothermia to set in. Not to mention the amount of exertion it takes to do it is going to be working against you the whole time. I usually just wear them on my lower body and, if I go in, I can work it the rest of the way on in the water.[/quote]
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