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Nostrodamus

Nostrodamus

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www.cygnus3.com
I admit it.. I am a wuss.
If you did not have any time constraints would you sail East along the Spanish coast in this or leave it a few days.
I admit I will be staying put. I know the wind and swell will be behind me but if I don't need to go until better weather comes I won't.
For others I know you would have an amazing sail.
 
In a multi, no problem. In a mono, best avoided if you have a tendency to broach.

That patch of heavy wind looks as though it's caused by the configuration of the land like the acceleration zones in the Canaries rather than a weather system. As a result its position is probably pretty stable and unlikely to wander inshore and hit you with 40 knots.
 
Nostrodamus said:
I admit it.. I am a wuss.
If you did not have any time constraints would you sail East along the Spanish coast in this or leave it a few days.
I admit I will be staying put. I know the wind and swell will be behind me but if I don't need to go until better weather comes I won't.
For others I know you would have an amazing sail.
Click to expand...

I would definitely wait... Why knowingly put yourself in a F8!

Forecasts are often incorrect and if you found yourself out there with either gusty conditions or consistently 25% more than they are predicting you would be risking damage to yourself and your boat.

The strength and experience of the crew and the type of vessel are of course big factors; but basically no - I think you made a good choice!

Pete
 
Nostro there's a book I would recommend to you n crew to wet your Caribbean appetite but also because it adddresses just such dilemmas in a way recognising the import of A Happy Ship: Contains hard earnt and non intimidating info on using weather windows, slants, trends and when to sit tight without guilt or fret( sounds like a beer plan and happy crew eh?).
Here you go and it is oft quoted around the forum
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0944428797
 
Along the coast the grib file is showing 15 to 25 knots from behind. I would have thought that would be a nice sailing day in a comfortable boat.

If I was going the other way with the family I'd give it a rest.


Although in the second half of this video we are beating into a F6 with a mixed crew and everyone was happy. A lot depends on the boat, this was a Bavaria...






______________________
 
Last edited:
Nostrodamus said:
I admit it.. I am a wuss.
If you did not have any time constraints would you sail East along the Spanish coast in this or leave it a few days.
I admit I will be staying put. I know the wind and swell will be behind me but if I don't need to go until better weather comes I won't.
For others I know you would have an amazing sail.
Click to expand...

Morning Mark
Guess this post follows on from what was said yesterday.

No your not a wuss at all. Doing what you feel safe & comfortable with considering your experience, crew state & boat safety. And that's the way it should be.
 
I would wait.

Here's a 'Dark and Stormy' tale:

During one of the earlier years of Med sailing we decided we would sail direct from Gib to Formentera. We did not have the sophisticated weather forecast which you have but the winds looked favourable. We set off at dawn on a glorious summers day. Wonderful run in F3/4; loads of dolphins and smiles all round. By dusk we were well on our way.

As it got dark the wind built up, the following seas became more threatening. We were being pushed deep into the Alboaran Sea. The autopilot could not cope and we had to hand steer. Just SWMBO and I, one hour on and one hour off. On the one hour off we tried to sleep on the saloon floor. We had too much sail up but could not roll in the genny (about half set) as the seas were too high. I had already reefed the main but we were still surfing at about 10 kts. At about 2am there was a sharp 'crack' and I saw that the main halyard shackle had come away from the headboard and the mainsail was hanging limpy between the lazyjacks.

Dawn could not come quickly enough and, when it did, the seas calmed. By now we were about 80 miles from Cartagena. We arrived safely, but a little rattled.

I have never been a racing yachtsmen and I am sure some would relish it - not us! No fault of the boat (a HR36) - just lack of experience in these conditions coupled with an ignorance of just how nasty the Med can be when it wants to.
 
Robih said:
Interested to know why you couldn't furl the genny? Furling line jammed?
Click to expand...

For a number of reasons; all of which would have been overcome with the benefit of hindsight.

Bringing her head to wind, with 35kts and following seas was not an option. We had already struggled to get the headsail down to about 50% earlier in the evening with the pressure on both the sheets and furling line.

Even with a preventer on the main, I was uncomfortable, so sheeted it in. Of course, we should have eased out, gone on a broad reach and shadowed the headsail but doing this in pitch darkness, at 2am, hand steering, watching for quartering seas would have been a bit of a challenge.

Add to that one of my big mistakes. We had been persuaded to upsize the genny to 160% (by a fast cruising German yachtsman!). This proved to be way, way too much for us. After fitting the sail - and too late - I realised that I had not increased the length of furling line so would have been at risk of running out of line as the sail was so tightly furled and, as a consequence, had used up most of the line.

I am not blaming anything but myself. The big lesson for me was to reduce sail - dramatically - before the onset of night. The adage of reefing when you first think of it was never truer.
 
Just been up into a little village in the hills and had a fantastic day.
We were right not to go, for us anyway. It is pretty gusty in the marina with wind changing anywhere between 15 and 23 knots. I also know in the Med if you have easterly's for a while before the westerleys the seas do take a while to calm down.
At least it has stopped all those topless sunbathers flaunting it everywhere.
 
Wuss. We just got into La Duquesa from Smir. Three reefs in the main, three girls in the crew!!!

Yeah, but if I was cruising, goto bar........

Times fish and chips later and Europa league final. Not a bad days work.

Happy sailing, CS
 
capnsensible said:
Wuss. We just got into La Duquesa from Smir. Three reefs in the main, three girls in the crew!!!

Yeah, but if I was cruising, goto bar........

Times fish and chips later and Europa league final. Not a bad days work.

Happy sailing, CS
Click to expand...

But you would sail in an industrial washing machine
How was it out there?
 
Nostrodamus said:
But you would sail in an industrial washing machine
How was it out there?
Click to expand...

Brisk! Bit bumpy, just been to wash the salt outa me hair. Made good speed, averaged over 7 knots for the forty odd miles but definitely not for family cruising.

Best bit was in the hotel rests urant last night in Tetouan. The lady who runs it knows me quite well now and she was having a busy night. Our girls wanted a look at the upstairs rooms and the view from the roof so I was invited to lead the tour. Brill response from the diners in the restaurant as I disappear upstairs with three giggly ladies!

Anyway, it was actually a good run back to here and we got secured and showered just before the rain (right now) is honking down!

CS
 
Just looked again.. looks the same for the next several days... looks like them three ladies are going to have a few up's and downs with you.
You need to be careful at your age!!!

This might help you out.

1. Wear your glasses to make sure your partner is actually in the bed.

2. Set timer for 3 minutes, in case you doze off in the middle.

3. Set the mood with lighting. (Turn them ALL OFF!)

4. Make sure you put 911 on your speed dial before you begin.

5. Write partners name on your hand in case you can't remember.

6. Use extra polygrip so your teeth don't end up under the bed.

7. Have Tylenol ready in case you actually complete the act.

8. Make all the noise you want. The neighbors are deaf, too.

9. If it works, call everyone you know with the good news!!

10. Don't even think about trying it twice.

'OLD' IS WHEN...
Your sweetie says, 'Lets go upstairs and make love,' and you answer, 'Pick one; I can't do both!'

'OLD' IS WHEN...
Your friends compliment you on your new alligator shoes and you're barefoot.

'OLD' IS WHEN...
Going bra-less pulls all the wrinkles out of your face.

'OLD' IS WHEN...
You are cautioned to slowdown by

the doctor instead of by the police.


'OLD' IS WHEN...
'Getting a little action' means you don't need to take a laxative today.

'OLD' IS WHEN....
getting lucky means you find your car in the parking lot.

'OLD' IS WHEN...
An 'all nighter' means not getting up to use the bathroom.

'OLD' IS WHEN....
You're not sure if these are facts or jokes.
 
An old gentleman was sitting on a bench in park in a large city crying. A young lady who was passing took pity on him and sat down next to him to offer some comfort. "Why are you crying?" she asked "are you all alone in the world now?". "No, no" says the old man, " I have a beautiful young wife" and he pulls a photo of the most stunning young woman from his pocket. "She loves me dearly, she is kind, our lovemaking is fabulous, I'm so lucky" says the old man. "Then why are you crying?" asks the young lady. "I can't remember where I live!" :)
 
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