I have an idea for some real fun for next year. It might be nuts so I would like some opinions. I want to go whale watching out of Provincetown or Plymouth. I figure an early start and a 20 mile hike north out of Provincetown which includes rounding the point. Dropping anchor and spending the night on-board then sailing back again the next day.
Of course there are things to bring and a boat to modify but once its together does the trip seem risky? I've done longer distances on lakes and the Hudson with some stiff breezes and some pretty large wakes from semi-planed super cruisers. But the ocean, out of sight of land with giant whales around could be dangerous - or - really cool.
I've been sailing the DS-II but also have a DS-I that I would rather use for the venture. It's a lot easier to customize. I want to make the cockpit area somewhat liveable. I have a plan in my head to remove the mast step from the keel and instead fix it to an aluminum beam that runs side to side and is up against the cabin roof and supporting it to the keel with a fiberglass rib. Then I will scribe a pressure treated plywood floor around the centerboard box ending at the forward face of the seats. The wood railing is missing which is okay. I would rather the top be flat for seating (the DS-II hurts to sit there) so it would need some re-enforcing. Then I'm thinking a porta-potty in the stern under the rudder. And a boom tent, lights, and all the usual camping gear.
Do you guys think we would be able to get close to the whales? Could we hear them singing all night? Would they laugh at the little boat and want to make sport of it?
It would / will be a week off. For me starting with a long days drive to a camping spot. A day to get ready. 2 days in the boat. A day or two to relax at the beach and another long days drive home.
Or should we just pay the $45 per person and go out on a 60 footer for a couple of hours?