"I'm not going out today....."

[PoRL9]

Just got back from a wonderful weekend's sailing down in the Solent (Southampton - Cowes - Lymington - Southampton), however I was amazed at how many folk we chatted to who'd decided not to go out because it was a bit breezy! (and I'm talking about the Sticky folk, not the Mobo Joe's)

We'd got a couple of first-timers on board, so we'd stuck two reefs in before we set off... and had a great time! The sun was out, the tides were kind, the tea & cake underway were excellent...

Yes, departing and arriving took a bit of thought and planning, but I feel you should always do that anyway.

So.... I have question for the cruisers amongst us (not the racers who are ever-so slightly mad) - what is the upper limit on forecasted wind that would make you say "Sod it - let's go to the pub instead"?

 

[alahol2]

28 ft boat. F5 gusting 6 for a time and I might go out on my own, SWMBO probably would decline the offer. We sail virtually every weekend so missing one in the interests of comfort is not really a big thing. It also depends on the rest of the weather of course. If it was going to be beautiful today but a run home in a F6-7 tomorrow then we might both go. So many variables + uncertainty inherent in the forecast.

 

[island163]

We are currently sailing on the West Coast of Scotland and would think twice if there is a Force 7 forecast but generally anything below that is fine. It's not really the wind that's the problem anyway, it's the sea state. We've happily sailed in a Force 8 in the Outer Hebrides but we were sheltered by the islands with only a mile or so of fetch. In the Solent it can get very exciting in strong wind against tide situations (like in this years RTIR) but it's easy to avoid the worst bits so were always happy to go out in a Force 6 and above as long as we were well reefed.

 

[cgull]

I was out same place this weekend, Hamble-Newtown-Portsmouth-Folly. Excellent weekend, Sunday up to 25kts wind. Reef down and get a great sail! Very rare for weather to be too bad in the Solent in my opinion, though I wouldnt go out in Foggy conditions.

 

[Boathook]

I was out same place this weekend, Hamble-Newtown-Portsmouth-Folly. Excellent weekend, Sunday up to 25kts wind. Reef down and get a great sail! Very rare for weather to be too bad in the Solent in my opinion, though I wouldnt go out in Foggy conditions.

SW 25 knots against a spring tide in the Solent has produced some of the worst seas that I have seen. I have been out in it and do all I can to avoid it.

 

[NDG]

All depends where you are. In the sheltered parts of the solent you can sail in F8 if you want to. Elsewhere its a bit different. The sea off Brighton can be pretty grim in 25 kts from the SW, especially in wind over tide, but I wouldn't hesitate to go out in the solent in that wind. On the other hand wind from the north gives flat sea and you can sail in almost anything!

 

[snooks]

My reply here still applies

There are so many variables to make one rule and stick to it

 

[Fergus]

We did a channel crossing f8 in sept - have to say I was in 2 minds as have never deliberately set out with a forecast like that but it was very exciting (if tiring) and the boat really looked after us

 

[BelleSerene]

Well the weekend was certainly OK, although to be fair with children (7-10 years) and novices aboard we motored back when the wind was picking up after dark on Sunday. Genoa halyard gave way on Sunday morning so I was on my knees on the foredeck tying it down, and that lost us the opportunity of a great broad reach back under genoa alone.

Generally for us (39' Beneteau) if it's above a 6 I wouldn't sail with novices/ children and above a 7 I wouldn't go out at all with novices/ children. Safety and fun rarely conflict: they wouldn't enjoy it, and I wouldn't feel we were safe with them. With competent crew aboard, safety factors are different. And it's fair to add that in the Solent the sea state is unusually favourable for any given wind strength, so outside the Solent I'd be a bit more prudent.

 

[LadyInBed]

When 'cruising':
If I need to get somewhere 6-7 downwind 5-6 upwind
If time is on my side, downwind would be the same as it is great fun, but upwind I would stay put in a 6.

 

[prv]

I've had fun going upwind in KS in a F7, but only in the Solent where you don't have so much of a sea state to worry about. I'd be happy outside Lake Solent in a bigger boat, but I don't yet have the experience with KS (24', tubby, bilge keels, could do with one more set of reef points) in bigger waves. There's every possibility she'd be stopped by the seas and unable to make ground to windward.

Pete