How Stormy A Sea Have You Been in?

Should I move the heads?

  • Yes

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • No

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
Nope i don't remember everybodys boat and you have none in your profile. In any event I wanted to be precise about what boat you went out into f10 winds in.

Anyway, I have to take my hat off to you for heading out in such a small boat into f10 winds no matter where they are ...... I would never have the guts to do that!

When I do head out, the current weather and its trend are key factors to me. I am not only a fair weather sailor and would head out in a largish boat in a f6 providing that the trend was improving but never ever, ever in a f10 no matter what the trend was.
 
I know it does'nt count on your poll Gludy, but I was in a hurricane off Madagaskar and we had to sit it out, lost both anchors off the bow and spent the next month on deck repairing pipework, railings etc. So its not all bad!
The ship? 240,000 tons of BP's finest, and the waves just rolled straight down the deck.
 
Sorry Dave, when I say we lost them, they were knocked off by the waves, we were'nt at anchor, just hove too! We did have a third one bolted to the deck, that stayed there. I do remember the faces though when they were discovered awol.
 
Actually I've just added my vote on an F9 which is what was reported after having eventually reached port and mooring, by harbour master from the coastguard. Certainly would never have set out in such a storm, was 4's when we set out and then worsened very quickly and about half way to destination with no alternative port available. Very exciting and exhilerating, don't fancy it again though although boat seemed to cope admirably. Which is more than can be said for Skipper & Crew!!
 
You are opening yourself to a lot knockers (sounds good to me). A few well found sailboats with experienced crews have been lost in the Needles Channel in gale conditions. Personally, I would'nt go near the place in anything over a F6-7 especially from the SW. Taking a typical leisure powerboat out into the Needles Channel in gale conditions is foolhardy, certainly not what one would describe as 'controlled conditions' and just asking to end up as a RNLI statistic
 
That was the very event indeed Al. It also washed right into the marina and moved a duck and then crashed against the harbour wall and actually wetted a stone there too /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
If i remember rightly, i stayed out on the anchor that night on my own, And on the way back the following day, i did have some waves clear the topside and the windshield and hit me square in the face!!!!(and i ain't joking) /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I loved every minute of it, but Harry wasn't to happy though!!
 
I'd hardly get a mention in Hatches, Matches and despatches, when i rode the wave and survived, would I??
No didn't make the Gazette, but it was on ITV news at 6. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Strangely, or maybe not. But I would rather be caught out in serious Ocean weather in a small boat than a ship. Ships really seem to have problems when they start crossing multiple waves and also present massive slabs of steel plate to the waves.

Unless my theory is wrong, I would be happy to be corrected, but it often seems ships sustain far more damage than say 30ft sailing yachts who just bounce about like corks.

Any thoughts from those who have experienced both?
 
Must admit it felt safe, we were loaded at the time so an awful lot of hull in the water, but it did terrible damage to the bow, deck fittings and accomodation where the sea just rolled down the deck before breaking against it.
Never really been in bad sea's in a leisure boat but different round the coasts to the deep ocean where I think I'd rather be on board a big one!
 
I just saw this thread as was going to avoid commenting mainly through not wanting to have to justify or explain why or how I chose or ended up in rather extreme conditions (on several occasions). However I would agree with Ships woofy that in a small, well founded yacht you are often as safe if not safer than some commercial craft.
 
So far /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif on this thread I am being told:-

1. About 25% of forumites have been caught in f10 to f12 in small recreational boats.

2. That its ok, providing you know what you are doing, to venture out into a f10 in a small power boat so as to gain experience.

3. Thats it appears to be safer to cross the channel in a storm such as a f10 in a small well founded motor cruiser than a large ship.


I am frankly amazed at the advice coming out of this thread.
 
I followed a small freighter (c 2,000 tons) into Cherbourg in a big wind against spring tide swell about F7. It was rolling so much that it looked like the bridge wings would go under at one point, and I could only imagine what it was like to be on that bridge. We were quite comfortable and in no danger.

Been out twice in extended F12 conditions during the winters of 90 and 91, but on a survey ship. Exciting stuff, enjoyed it on the bridge as the ship was coping very well. Didn't like it so much when we fell off a wave. A sister ship nearby limped into port with a badly damaged bow from a freak wave.

Caught out in 60 knots with SWMBO Solent and proud to say she coped very well with the experience whilst I pretended not to be s*****ing myself.
 
Don't think people are offering advice Gludy, just experiences. At the end of it all its down to what you feel comfortable in and knowing if you get caught out what you or the vessel are capable of.
 
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