Allan
Well-Known Member
We sailed from Watchet to Cardiff yesterday (Sunday 6th). I would be interested to know if anyone has any wind speed reading for the time we were sailing? (~10-30 to 16-00 hrs)
Allan
Allan
Bristol channel
- Thread starter Allan
- Start date
Birdseye
Well-Known Member
early afternoon was 16kn average at max. try http://www.windguru.com/int/historie.php...1&model=gfs
bluedragon
Well-Known Member
The Windguru data is actually a forecast, not observations. St Athan airbase would be a reasonable data source if you can find the history for Sunday (Met Office only goes back 24 hrs). Cardiff Bay YC has a live weather station (http://www.cbyc.co.uk/weather/cbyc.gif), but again the history if it's there is buried somewhere. How strong did it seem?
Allan
Well-Known Member
The strongest I've raced in is a 6 but yesterday we were in some quite large waves as well so it was difficult to tell how much was wind. We were knocked down a couple of times but that was more due to losing grip with the rudder while sitting on a wave and being swung round for the next wave to try and push us over. The reason I asked the question was just to see how much was wind and how much was waves.
bluedragon
Well-Known Member
Even the top end of F4 can be uncomfortable coming back from Watchet. F5 and above and many people start thinking about staying put or getting the bus/train back to S.Wales! F5 on a broad reach would be fun on flat water, but not with the short steep seas caused by the tides, overfalls and shallow patches of the Bristol Channel. We've got a very seaworthy 27 footer that shrugs off most of the waves, but it can still be hard work on the helm over 3-4 hours. Have you done the trip before?
PS - Winguru Pro MM5 data for the period forecast a westerly F5. I find this model more accurate than GFS, so that's probably what you got...and it looks like you had wind against tide the whole way!! I've done that once, and preferably never again /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
PS - Winguru Pro MM5 data for the period forecast a westerly F5. I find this model more accurate than GFS, so that's probably what you got...and it looks like you had wind against tide the whole way!! I've done that once, and preferably never again /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
graham
Well-Known Member
I think it was about a 5 to 6 here in Barry on Sunday with the odd stronger gust.(We cancelled our proposed weekend trip to Portishead ,not wanting strong wind on the nose coming back.)
Returning to Cardiff from Watchet under sail the main problem is that if you leave on the flood tide as soon as the gate opens you are pushed for time before the tide turns against you. In a strong Westerly you dont want to be going around Lavernock point or the"Ranie" against the tide. Very steep breaking waves can be expected and you will be amongst it for a long time as the foul tide gets stronger.
If the tide is turning and there is a strong Westerly its better to divert to Barry then depart close to Low water for a much gentler trip back to Cardiff.Make the decision early or you will be tacking back through Sully Bay to get to Barry.
Returning to Cardiff from Watchet under sail the main problem is that if you leave on the flood tide as soon as the gate opens you are pushed for time before the tide turns against you. In a strong Westerly you dont want to be going around Lavernock point or the"Ranie" against the tide. Very steep breaking waves can be expected and you will be amongst it for a long time as the foul tide gets stronger.
If the tide is turning and there is a strong Westerly its better to divert to Barry then depart close to Low water for a much gentler trip back to Cardiff.Make the decision early or you will be tacking back through Sully Bay to get to Barry.
Allan
Well-Known Member
I think I'll take it that it was a F5 with maybe some gusts up to a F6. At least I can then blame the knockdowns on rounding up in gusts, rather than bad helming!! I have been trying to find some information about Barry as I would like to visit sometime.
Allan
Allan
graham
Well-Known Member
Barry is straight forward. There is water in the outer harbour all the time. Most of The moorings dry out on soft mud at about half tide. There arent any visitors moorings so be prepared to anchor or raft up . The outer harbour provides shelter in Westerly winds from North through West to South Westerly. but can be rough in Southerlies or Easterlies in bad weather.
Barry Yacht Club has a website BYC
Barry Yacht Club has a website BYC
