Passage planning has gotten complicated with all the different philosophies flying around. As someone who has done countless day hops and multi-day offshore passages, I learned everything there is to know about deciding which approach fits your situation. Today, I will share it all with you.
Day Hopping: The Relaxed Approach
Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Day hops keep you anchored or docked every night. You depart after breakfast, cruise for four to eight hours, and settle into your next destination with daylight to spare. This approach eliminates night navigation stress and lets everyone sleep in a stable anchorage instead of a rolling seaway.
The downside? Day hopping limits your daily range to roughly 30-50 nautical miles under power, or whatever you can cover in favorable winds under sail. Reaching distant destinations takes longer, and you’re constrained by the availability of anchorages at comfortable intervals. Sometimes there’s no good spot at the right distance.
Overnight Passages: Covering Ground
That’s what makes overnight passages endearing to us long-distance cruisers—they let you cover serious distance. A 24-hour run at 6 knots puts 144 miles under your keel—equivalent to three or four day hops. For reaching distant cruising grounds, overnights become necessary.
Night watches require additional crew or careful watch schedules. Someone must remain alert while others sleep. Navigation becomes more challenging, and fatigue accumulates even with good rest discipline. Weather windows matter more when you’re committed to a 24-hour passage with no bail-out options.
Matching Style to Crew
Consider your crew composition honestly. Couples cruising alone often find day hops more sustainable for the long term. Adding crew members opens overnight options. New cruisers should master day hops before attempting overnights—there’s plenty to learn without adding darkness to the mix.
Your boat matters too. Vessels with comfortable sea berths, reliable autopilots, and good radar make overnights easier. A boat that requires constant helm attention exhausts crews quickly, and exhausted crews make mistakes.
Finding Your Balance
Most experienced cruisers mix both approaches, and that’s the right call. They day hop through interesting areas where frequent stops enhance the experience, then string together overnights when crossing open water or transiting less interesting coastline where there’s nothing to see anyway.
Start with day hops if you’re new to cruising. Build confidence in your boat handling, navigation skills, and anchoring before adding night passages to your repertoire. The sea will always be there tomorrow, and there’s no rush to prove anything to anyone.
