How to feel you ought not to go on a big trip: ask about wx on forums

tcm

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I make this post with regard to two potential first-timers x-channel, but it's a general point, and one i have experienced myyself.

First timers are naturally cautious - perhaps more than most - but the trouble with these forums is that you actually get (quite rightly, i suppose) the combined caution of lots of people- which adds up to a very big load of caution indeed.

Likewise, the weather forecasters almost never ever say "if you've got a boat - stuff work and get down there NOW!" do they? And just because one person says yes, you should go - the others don't get swayed either do they? - cos they all have to be independent.

Generally forecasters say things like "only a small risk of showers" and other such neggy stuff partly i spose to cover themselves, partly cos it's not exact. But at a certain point it IS exact - it's these conditions, right now.

This isn't to say "ooh yes - you should really go" in advance - it's simply to point out that nobody can honestly say "yes yes yes" as ultimately it's your decision. Yeah, and that "it's your decision" phrase is (generally, in most walks of life) a bit of a neggy thing to say too.

I supose that amongt the very best experience on a boat (or in other dodgy weather-depended nthings like mountaineering) is not always achieved by setting off and getting there, but by setting off and turning back. That proves that you are prerpared to do so, and can "measure" the weather yourself against what your boat and you are comfortable with. Once you've established that you're okay about turning back - then you can realistically "go out and have a look" imho...
 

hlb

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Yes. Always go out and looksee. It can even be fun in a F8 knowing that your only half a mile from the harbour. Many of times it's flat as a pancake. Think theres alot of difference when you only need a three or four hour window than going across Biscay though!
 

Nauti Fox

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Your right, pressonitus is one of the biggest faults in the aviation world, when you read the accident bulletins its nearly always a combination of several things conspiring against you and by the time you realise it, it can be too late.
Encountered it my self when I was low hours as I felt under pressure to get somewhere as I had friends with me. The usual scenario of incorrect forecast, lowering cloudbase and that horrible uneasy feeling as it all closes in around you so you can't turn back. Brrrr... makes me shudder to think about it.
Far, far better to recognise when to throw it all away and head back.
As they used to say,"I'd rather be down hear wishing I was up there, than up here wishing I was down there".
 

jimg

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At the moment the weather is very changeable and yep you need to be ready to try to go when there is a window, I have lost track of how many times we have left Dartmouth and then decided to turn back, not because it was impossible to go; just damn uncomfortable!
 

Nautical

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Re: How to feel you ought not to go on a big trip: ask about wx on for

Agree, still `i'd always have a look irrespective of the forecast, the amount of times I would have ended up tied to a wall based on a forecast when actually it was a nice trip all round. Forecast is exactly what it says on the tin a 'Forecast' not a given or a definite just could be/probably.

As long as you have'nt a rapidly falling pressure or a nasty synopic then what's the worst can happen, get bounced about a bit and have to turn around and come home, trick is to know when that moment has arrived.

I'd suggest a shufty on the day if it looks ok make a judgement.
 

Jobs_a_ good_ un

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Excellent point

Tomorrow am were going to go out and see how the sea state
is if its too rough or we dont like the feel of it its turn tail and lunch at the folly and try again at the w/end if thats no good its try again next week and if thats no good lasy resort is stick it on a truck and get called a wimp for a week or 2
 

gjgm

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fraid i have none of youer experience, but was impressed with two points my aged and very experienced YM tutor made. Namely that you are actually very responsible-for yourself, your crew, your boat and for calling out any rescue services that may need to come to your aid. Point one was dont leave harbour unless you are totally sure you can get back in. Point two was turning back is very very constructive;dont get any notion that its some sort of failure.
Both points very much changed how i now look at my boating;strangely, it made me feel far more confident in any decision
 

jerryat

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Re: Excellent point

Don't worry. You won't be called a wimp, at least, not by anyone with any experience or sense at all. It is very good seamanship to make a descision to turn back if you, or your crew, are not happy or comfortable.

I totally agree with many on this thread - go out and see for yourself, then decide. I was 'taught' this by an ancient mariner well over 30 years ago when he ALWAYS said in response to an iffy forecast, 'well that's what THEY reckon, let's nip out and see if they're right'!!

Very often, conditions were much better than the 'awful' picture we had formed in our minds, and we had some fantastic passages as a result, while others stayed at home.

We always go and have a look, and over many years have been surprised by how few times we've turned back. We have done of course, and never regretted it, it was our decision, made by us, for us, and no one else.

So do saunter out, if it's not too bad go a bit further and it's possible you know, that before you know it, you may be there!!!

Very good luck with your trip, I hope you have a terrific time.

Cheers Jerry
 

KevB

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Common sense required not NEC SX6

These whole set of threads sound a bit whimpish and lacking in common sense to me.
Wake up on the day you plan leaving and look out of the window, if it looks ok then have a look at the forecast. If that looks ok then go. If any unexpected weather arrives that you are not comfortable with, turn round and go somewhere else.
If it's your first time much nicer to do the crossing in company which is what I'd recommend just for your own peace of mind.
It's like sex, after the first time you wonder what all the fuss was about, or was that just me /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 

tcm

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Re: Common sense required not NEC SX6

um, that esp applies for short trips and small numbers of crew. But peeps have long journeys to boats, kids to pull out of school, plans for boats to be in certain places and not others, expenses to incur, flights to book and a hundreed other committments that have to preceed setting out on the boat. All these make some element of planning unfortunately vital, and once plans are made it can be a bit/lot awkward and expensive to changem.

No such planning goes into bedroom activities (how the heck did sex get into this thread - i blame magnum) cos (usually) fewer people are involved, the weather forecast generally not an issue, and er in any event it doesn't go on for 4-6 hours (or is that just me?)

Joking aside, i disagree with the wimpish thing bout turning back - if everyone turned back at the right time, there wd be far fewer lifeboat etc deaths...
 

KevB

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Re: Common sense required not NEC SX6

Come of it tcm, stop using your journalistic licence to miss quote me. I said..."If any unexpected weather arrives that you are not comfortable with, turn round and go somewhere else."

The whimpish remark was for trying to read good or bad into every forecast or scenario.
If by Tuesday the weather is looking ok you've already decided to go to the boat for Wednesday. If Wednesday dawns bright and breezy with the forecast the same, you're likely to go. If Wednesday dawns raining and breezy with more of the same forecast your more than likely not going to go. Same wind but different perception.....

I've crossed the channel with 2mtr waves and the trip has been hell, I've done the same trip with the same size waves and the trip has been fantastic.
As long as there is not too much of anything forecast it's worth taking a look.

For instance, this last weekend our club cruise was cancelled due to up to F7's forecast. A few of us went regardless and was able to cruise at 30 knots with no problem. Not even a sign of the dredded Solent chop!!
41024298265766bff4376e0e83c77c32398fed1f338f5a3e36bc4fbe.jpg


I'm taking the photo...
 

davedpc

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Re: Excellent point

Its great talking about 'windows of opportunities' etc. but just remember that you have to come back [or perhaps you dont]. If the general wind direction turns towards the north and blows you may again have to wait or catch a ferry.
 
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