miket
Active member
Picture the scene:
2 boats travelling in company from Solent to Gernsey.
Boats are both modern Targa style 35 to 40 feet.
Wind: W F4/5 worsening.
Tide: HW+1, Portsmouth (Current westbound)
Visibility: good.
Overheard the vhf transmissions between the 2 boats shortly after turning at the end of the Needles channel to make their run across the channel. Impressive quantities of spray as they head south.
From the tone of the conversation neither skipper was particularly happy with the conditions but said they would stick it out a bit longer.
10 minutes later a similar conversation but still no decision to return, although suggestion of Cowes did arise.
Some time later, possibly half an hour, heard a call to Solent Coastguard for 2 motor boats cancelling a "safety traffic" call made earlier, original destination Gernsey.
We've all done it.
What does it achieve?
SWMBO goes all mis' and never wants to go boating again.
The kids are sick all over ths cockpit and guess who has to clear it up.
The boats a shambles, with cupboards and contents all over the floor.
And all for the sake of saying, a bit sooner, "forget it, we'll make an early start in the morning."
Things to bear in mind before setting out:
Follow the weather pattern for a few days before departure. Get a feeling for a trend.
Look at tidal flows in conjunction with wind. If wind is likely to be at the top end of your pain threshold, it will be easier in wind with tide rather than against tide.
Again if marginal, consider departing early in morning. No not 09.00! 05.00. Often the wind decreases over night, as the land cools and reduces the onshore breezes.
If travelling in company, don't be macho' man. If you don't like it say so. I have a friend of mine who has no pain threshold, whilst mine runs decidedly lukewarm as soon as I start hearing F5 in the forecast.
Remember, boating is meant to be a pleasure.
SWMBO must have a smile on her face or boating is severely curtailed.
Much better in the above scenario to return to Yarmouth, have a bloody good dinner and an early night, and set off at daybreak at 30 knots and be in Gernsey for breakfast.
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2 boats travelling in company from Solent to Gernsey.
Boats are both modern Targa style 35 to 40 feet.
Wind: W F4/5 worsening.
Tide: HW+1, Portsmouth (Current westbound)
Visibility: good.
Overheard the vhf transmissions between the 2 boats shortly after turning at the end of the Needles channel to make their run across the channel. Impressive quantities of spray as they head south.
From the tone of the conversation neither skipper was particularly happy with the conditions but said they would stick it out a bit longer.
10 minutes later a similar conversation but still no decision to return, although suggestion of Cowes did arise.
Some time later, possibly half an hour, heard a call to Solent Coastguard for 2 motor boats cancelling a "safety traffic" call made earlier, original destination Gernsey.
We've all done it.
What does it achieve?
SWMBO goes all mis' and never wants to go boating again.
The kids are sick all over ths cockpit and guess who has to clear it up.
The boats a shambles, with cupboards and contents all over the floor.
And all for the sake of saying, a bit sooner, "forget it, we'll make an early start in the morning."
Things to bear in mind before setting out:
Follow the weather pattern for a few days before departure. Get a feeling for a trend.
Look at tidal flows in conjunction with wind. If wind is likely to be at the top end of your pain threshold, it will be easier in wind with tide rather than against tide.
Again if marginal, consider departing early in morning. No not 09.00! 05.00. Often the wind decreases over night, as the land cools and reduces the onshore breezes.
If travelling in company, don't be macho' man. If you don't like it say so. I have a friend of mine who has no pain threshold, whilst mine runs decidedly lukewarm as soon as I start hearing F5 in the forecast.
Remember, boating is meant to be a pleasure.
SWMBO must have a smile on her face or boating is severely curtailed.
Much better in the above scenario to return to Yarmouth, have a bloody good dinner and an early night, and set off at daybreak at 30 knots and be in Gernsey for breakfast.
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