A question about wind ... (only for sailors)

[Guest]

It seems that there are many winds: true, relative, apparent, BBC, etc. - Take your pick.

When you are passage planning, which wind do you pick?

Nige (+ barometer)

 

[Guest]

Usually a mix of :-

True...well when you are sitting on your mooring working out your passage plan it is a good starting point!

Forecast...whether it is BBC or any of the other sources, it gives an indication as to what might happen and when (maybe!!)

Weather Eye...whilst sailing I am sure that you, like I will watch the weather as it happens and adjust your passage plan as you go.

After all, surely one of the joys of sailing is that unknown quantity?

www.boatsyachtsmarinas.com

 

[Roberto]

Geostrophic

prefer sailing in oily frictionless seas one foot north and one south of the equator

 

[paulineb]

Crossing the equator

Isn't there a little ceremony you have to carry out when you cross the equator ?

Pxx

 

[Roberto]

Re: Crossing the equator

I should ask my left foot, my right one is still north of the equator

 

[romany123]

Dont worry true becomes apparent when you start to move.....Just one important point to remember, A fair wind ALWAYS becomes a headwind on passage...guarenteed

Dave

 

[davel]

and don't forget "Sailors Wind". That's the stuff that comes up fast after a night of beer and curry. Come to think of it it's also usually hard on the nose!

Dave L.
Location: 50 51.0 N 1 18.6 W

 

[tcm]

There are far more winds than these. For a start, there are the wind speeds and directions in the neighbouring sea areas, which are often preferable.

 

[Guest]

Is there a catch?

I plan according to true, but I always assume SW actually means W.

I then calculate my plan as if I would sail at the optimum 35 degs off True ...

Seems to work

 

[Bergman]

True Wind - What the wind actually is (very rarely used)

Apparent wind - What you tell SWMBO the wind is

Relative Wind - What you tell people the wind was when you get back in.

Forecast Wind - What you tell SWMBO the wind is going to be

Back Wind - A mythical wind that supposedly blows from behind the beam

Katebatic Wind - A term used to describe wind that will be much better tomorrow.

Geostrophic Wind - A term used to explain why it wasn't

Gradient Wind - A wind that makes the boat heel over more without going any faster

Cyclonic Wind - Wind that causes you to make landfall 3 miles down tide of destination.

Head Wind - Sort of default wind that you get when nothing worse happens and irrespective of course steered.

 

[Guest]

Mr Bergman, you have forgotten old sailors wind. Always fart facing forward.

William Cooper

 

[Bergman]

True Bill

But only in moments of desperation

 

[cgull]

Much to the disdain of my partner I maintain that it is every mans eternal right to fart on ones own yacht.

 

[ToMo]

Could it be said....

that the reason for this thread was just to release so much hot air?......and yes I'm a sailor, but not of the biased rag and stick brigade - pipes and smokin come to mind!!! <G>
TôMö

 

[steffen]

Forgive my ignorance, but what does SWMBO stand for. I assume its the lady of the boat but i cant figure out the acronym.

Happy winds

 

[david_e]

She Who Must Be Obeyed

 

[romany123]

True wind at sea.......force 4
true wind in the bar.....up to force 8 and rising depending on the amount consumed.

Dave

 

[Guest]

I'll always sail with a 'fair breeze' - since that's the name of my boat...

;- )