Crossing the channel with sw blowing

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

So if I cross with a sw blowing will it mean I will be rocking from side to side as waves will hit me on the beam
Predicted wind force for weds is force 2-3 on www.theyr.net

 

[kindredspirit]

Force 2 to 3 is nothing.

Don't worry about it.


.

 

[DepSol]

Do what the raggies do and tack.

 

[mainshiptom]

You will have a great time , go for it !

Light breeze

Tom

 

[tcm]

yes on the beam means it will rock you around. keep things stowed away.

 

[KevB]

Why should you be rocking? With 2-3's it may be calm. If you have a planing boat and you are able to plane then you wont really notice where the waves are coming from anyway. It's only if it's rough and you are down to displacement speeds you'll get the rocking motion.

 

[miket]

Probably won't even notice it.
With my Broom 37 we used to cruise with friends with a Fairline Corniche. On on etrip we had a beam sea returning from Deauville with F4/5. At the Corniche's cruising speed of 14 knots (VP 165hp) it became quite uncomfortable for us so we increased to 18 kts. The difference was quite amazing. Don't assume going slower is necessarily better.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Not sure that is exactly what theyr is saying. Seems to be predicting F2-3 for 06.00UTC but increasing F3-4 for 12.00UTC (looking at the graph prediction for Southampton) and backing to the south from south west. This means you may be punching more into the sea than rolling with it.
You have a couple of things in your favour. You are starting at 06.00 from the Nab (I guess?) and I bet there isnt much wind at that time in the morning and as you approach France you will get shelter from the land
One possible factor is fog though. The wind is being drawn in from the moist Atlantic so there is the possibility of fog (you do have a radar and have practised on it?)
This is a definite go-for-it forecast but it can always be wrong so stick your nose out on Wednesday morning. If its OK, carry on but be ready with the radar

 

[Nick_H]

Sounds ideal for a first crossing. Even if wind increases F3-4, on the back of a still night and morning the sea should be slight or slight to mod, and if it backs southerly the fetch is reduced to the width of the channel, and it will get calmer as you get closer to France. Keep checking closer to the time but i'd definately be planning to go.

 

[duncan]

the waves at those windspeeds will be mainly a product of the relationship between the wind and the tide so, as already suggested, crossing when the wind and tide are heading in the same direction should minimise any rocking that might otherwise have occurred - but was unlikely to worry your craft anyway as others have said.

It's also forecast to go South when strengthening which will (1) put you in the lee of your landfall and (2) go across the tide rather than any risk of poor wind against tide conditions brewing if you get badly out of your planned crossing times (eg you forget the boat keys).

Have a great trip.

 

[hlb]

You will never get a better forcast than 2-3. F 4 is quite OK F5 ok too, but I maybe would not set off in F5 cos it might become F7. But even then, not a disaster.

 

[oldgit]

Why not leave at first light before breeze has time to build up.

 

[hlb]

Decisions, decisions. Why not have a ie in and see what it does /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[duncan]

Agreed - looks like a pretty perfect forcast for the trip as planned right now.

Have a great trip!