how far off shore will she go

[zante]

Hi all and thank you for reading this post
I have a Fletcher Vigo 1986 model with a 2001 Yamaha F80AET 4 stroke outboard motor.
she is to old to have a CE category so i would like to know how far off shore she will go and what wind and wave she will take.
I would just like some advice please

 

[rafiki_]

Bump. Sorry, can't really help, other than stating the obvious about wind, tide and weather variables. There are some Fletcher owners on this forum, who will give a more experienced comment than me.

 

[zante]

Thanks for the Bump M8 good on you

 

[capsco]

As you don't have a sensible answer yet, I should say it depends on how much fuel you have onboard and if you whant to come back or not.

 

[oldgit]

Never out of sight of shore and F3-4 ?

 

[thecommander]

I think all Fletchers are generally Category C, inshore with waves around 2-3m and wind strength between 20-25knots.

 

[sarabande]

Have a look at the Fletcher forum

http://fletcher-boats.ning.com/forum/topics/fletcher-vigo-1

especially the backup engine bit.


I suspect, given that you have asked the question, that you have at present limited experience and want to develop your skills and have some fun. I'd stick to the Category D for a while

"D: SHELTERED WATERS,
Designed for voyages on sheltered coastal waters, small bays, small lakes, rivers and canals when conditions up to, and including, wind force 4 and significant wave heights up to, and including, 0,3 m may be experienced, with occasional waves of 0,5 m maximum height, for example from passing vessels."

That may not sound much, but even in sheltered coastal waters an unexpected wind could easily knock up waves (especially in a wind against tide config) which would challenge the boat and your present skills.


The difficulty with any form of classification is that one should not try to treat it as a form of guarantee that the boat is competent for a set of conditions. Like a speed limit is not a minimum, but a maximum.

Have fun and wander through the RYA website and recommendations for safety equipment and boat handling skills.

http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/safetyinfo/Pages/default.aspx

 

[zante]

Thank you all for your help I am in Exmouth Devon and have had some experience and have my powerboat level 2.
Just do not know a lot about the boat would like to go fishing in her and I will not be looking at no more than 6 mile off shore in good weather just like to know if she can do this for the most I will be with in 2 to 3 mile of home/shore and only in day light.

 

[sarabande]

OK, I know the area. Are you at Starcross ? Apologies for underestimating your experience.

Given that Beaufort F3 has a max wave height of 1m, and F4 is 1.5m, and that the estuary entrance is famous for being tricky with a nasty lee shore a backup engine is a necessity, as is a VHF and mobile phone. You have only 1 bolt hole, and that is Teignmouth - upwind !


Have lots of safe fun !

 

[zante]

No Apologies needed if i do not say you do not know.
would not put to sea with out backup engine
As for VHF I have one fixed to the boat and I alway have my DSC/GPS handheld with me when on or by the water.
and as I only like to go to sea if i have some one with me there are two mobile phones on board.
Thank you for you help just need to go and find some fish now

 

[BruceK]

These boats are used frequently for inshore fishing which is what you propose to do and you may find more knowledge of this boat being used in the manner you propose on the sea fishing forums (try woldseafishing.com).
But like all boats in this class seas are generally restricted to slight and F3's maximum and not by distance from the shore. A half mile out from shore may as well be 10 when the going gets rough, especially as you may only be a half mile from shore but several from safe harbour

 

[john_morris_uk]

The distance from shore is a slight red herring as the only difference it makes as far as the OP is concerned is how long it takes him to get back... The sea state five miles off Exmouth can be far more benign than the approaches to Exmouth itself as Sarabande has pointed out. If you keep an eye on the weather and sea state and are sensible you should be OK up to several miles off.

Please think about the safety kit you have. Modern lifejackets are extremely light and comfortable. You may think that crotch straps are not necessary but those of us who have done sea survival training appreciate that they are essential if you ever fall in. (The lifejacket rides up and chokes you and your head isn't kept above water... ) A spray hood on the lifejacket seems unnecessary as well until you are in the water and the waves are splashing you in the face all the time.

Once the boat is OK and has a backup engine of some sort and a bilge pump and a bucket, then VHF, Flares, Torch, GPS and a laminated chart and a simple compass of some sort should keep you safe.

Personal Locator Beacons are coming down in price if you are feeling rich or want to suggest a birthday present to a generous person. Have it in the boat or attach it to your lifejacket that you always wear.

The most important element in safety is you and your common sense.

PS I live very close and know these waters fairly well.

 

[CLB]

Hi all and thank you for reading this post
I have a Fletcher Vigo 1986 model with a 2001 Yamaha F80AET 4 stroke outboard motor.
she is to old to have a CE category so i would like to know how far off shore she will go and what wind and wave she will take.
I would just like some advice please

With a nice modern four-stroke outboard the distance the boat can go will be dictated by the fuel carried. Allow 30% of your fuel as a reserve and work it out from there. As to size of waves etc, you won’t get a simple answer to this. The boat will take much more than you would want to be out in but it would have to be slowed right down. Personally I would suggest for a boat of this size you want a forecast of no more than a F3 if you want to go any distance, preferably less. A 1 meter wave will be quite big when you are in a little boat like this and if they are 1 metre waves that are close together and breaking it will be a horrendous experience. If it is a one meter swell with a big distance in between it would actually be quite fun. In a nutshell. Look for very calm and settled weather and you can go as far as the fuel will take you. Just make sure you have all the right equipment and the boat and yourself are well prepared.