Beaufort Scale

[Matthew Chell]

Hi,

As a potential motor yacht owner, I just have a few questions to ask the experienced members of this forum.

I am considering buying a Princess V39.

What are the capabilities and limits of this vessel?

Importantly (for me), how would it handle a voyage of some length; for me it is important that it can comfortably cruise to Guernsey from the Dartmouth area of the UK- I understand that the fuel range is sufficient, but am interested in how it would perform a little further from the coast- as in during a crossing to France or Guernsey of about 150 miles.

Finally, what level on the Beaufort scale would keep you in harbor? What level would stop you from taking it out just off the coast and what level would stop you from undertaking a channel crossing?

A few questions here, I hope you have the time to help.

Many Thanks,

Matthew.

 

[MBM_Greg]

Hi Matthew,

The Princess V39 is a great boat and certainly capable of the trips you're talking about. If you're inexperienced I would suggest getting youself on a RYA powerboat course to get some basics - you wouldn't want to damage the Princess!

Staying in port due to wind is all personal preference depending on experince, wind directon and the trip you're doing. Most people often say a Force 7 is the limit, but wind like that can cause real isses when berthing if nothing else.
Crossing the channel should be a smooth day, otherwise you're in for a long bumpy passage without any cups of tea/gin along the way!

 

[rlw]

Hi Matthew,

I am sure there will be forum members with more open water experience along shortly. I am currently running a targa 40 so similar boat. My comfortable family limit is a force four max. Depends on wind and waves. The boat can probably handle more but it ceases to be fun when you can't see where you are going or bits start falling of inside. I've been out in more as sometimes end up with more wind than you expected and have gotten through safely but not something I would go looking for. Better to keep a bitof reserve for if you get it wrong. My longest sea run to date was the delivery from Majorca to Palamos in which we started out in flat calm and ended up ging with the waves in a force 4. It was good fun to surf the waves for the last half hour or so but I was glad most of the journy was flat calm. The delivery skipper with me told me of a delivery of a targa 38 ending up in a force 6. He arrived with doors missing and a cracked radar arch. A friend of mine had a similar experience after a joint sea trip and its not worth it.
I've done the Belgian coast in a F7 for a short hop in a SS Portofino 31. Again interesting but got into the marina to find the doorbolt had vibrated loose and we could not get into the cabin

Rob

 

[l'escargot]

It is your own capabilities that keep you in harbour more than those of the boat, how confident/competent do you feel? I know people who would rather not head off above a 4 and others will quite happily head off in a 6 - sometimes it can even be SWMBOs decision .

There is no easy answer regarding wind strength because there are other factors involved. F7 with you, the wind and a neap tide all going the same way, probably manageable - F5 with a spring tide going in the opposite direction and you wanting to cross both, maybe not.

 

[kcrane]

I suspect you are going to get quite a few more replies that start "Well, it depends..."

Well, it depends.

The V39 is certainly capable of hopping across the Channel and probably the boat would be happy long after the passengers had got to the 'Ooh err, how did we end up out here?" stage.

So don't worry about whether the boat can do it.

Along with the others above I'd say it is all down to sea state rather than specifically the strength of the wind. What you need to avoid is wind over tide, the sort of thing you get with a south westerly blowing up channel while the tide is on the ebb and the sea is running east to west. I have a 48ft Princess and cross the Channel a couple of times most years (as well as running up and down the Channel coast). Truth be told I'm more relaxed about crossing north<->south to the CI's than I am about going east<->west, say Solent to Plymouth.

However having said the 'it depends" bit, if the forecast is F4 and below, and so long as it wasn't blowing a hoolie the day before, I'd generally think about going. If it F4 and above I'd start looking closely at the tides and ponder whether to go or not. If it is F5 and above I'd turn up the fridge, cos there is a better than evens chance we'll be tucking into a Sav Blanc sat in the harbour.

 

[Prhperio]

Hi,

As a potential motor yacht owner, I just have a few questions to ask the experienced members of this forum.

I am considering buying a Princess V39.

What are the capabilities and limits of this vessel?

Importantly (for me), how would it handle a voyage of some length; for me it is important that it can comfortably cruise to Guernsey from the Dartmouth area of the UK- I understand that the fuel range is sufficient, but am interested in how it would perform a little further from the coast- as in during a crossing to France or Guernsey of about 150 miles.

Finally, what level on the Beaufort scale would keep you in harbor? What level would stop you from taking it out just off the coast and what level would stop you from undertaking a channel crossing?

A few questions here, I hope you have the time to help.

Many Thanks,

Matthew.

Hi Matthew and welcome to the forum. I am sure you will always get some very helpful and experienced answers on here. I would just reiterate that the main issue is not so much the capabilities of the boat but the crew. If you are your significant other are new to this you don't want to put her off by a first trip from hell! Also, as has been said, it's not just wind strength but the combination of wind and tide. When one runs against the other, things get much stickier. Definitely worth getting some time in with an instructor when you are new to the boat (perhaps the broker might throw some instruction in with the deal?). I've had 30+ foot motor boats for over 20 years and just a few months ago changed to another one rather larger and I plan on getting at least a day with an instructor to get me properly up to speed once I have had a bit of time to acclimatise... well worth it.

I guess you may get some more detailed advice if you posted a little about your experience as the advice is obviously a bit different if you are new to this sailing malarkey or a seasoned salt!

Hope you have a great time with her

Paul

 

[Griffin Marine]

I have a Princess V40 great boat that I use for teaching been cross channel loads of times.
PB2 not the right course for a Motor Cruiser cheaper yes but you need experience on a boat with twin out drives not a rib .
Tim