Is it really sailing weather this weekend?

[PhillM]

07.39 in Southampton and looking out of the window. The sky is iron grey, its been raining hard, thunder is forecast. Its blowing F5/6 and its not that warm.

My question is, is this really weekend sailing weather for a little boat like mine?

Perhaps I'm reading the weather too pessimistically, but Simon's forecast seems to indicate that it could gust up to F7.

Or it is just a lack of true grit, experience and determination that is making me think twice about planning a trip?

Or perhaps I'm just a wimp?

Am interested to see how everyone else is reading things for this weekend.

 

[robertt]

I'm desperate to get out sailing in lower Firth of Clyde area, possibly more sheltered here but weather forecasts look variable depending on which website you look at. Anyone else going out in the Clyde?

 

[DJE]

We're planning Fareham to Newtown this evening in a boat just a bit bigger than yours (Sadler 29). Then possibly on to Poole tomorrow.

Simon's forecast looks a bit more pessimistic than the Met Office inshore waters which is unusual, but the message I take from it is unsettled and unpredictable conditions so keep an eye on the weather. As ever it's all down to boat and crew we don't mind staying aboard on a bouy or at anchor all weekend (but we might have to find somewhere to buy a newspaper tomorrow) and if we have to cross Poole bay in F6 then we will. Hope this helps.

 

[aquaplane]

We are starting a two week cruise tomorrow, sticking to the CCC Kintyre to Ardnamurchan book, hopefully the Coll, Iona area.

 

[dylanwinter]

We're planning Fareham to Newtown this evening in a boat just a bit bigger than yours (Sadler 29). Then possibly on to Poole tomorrow.

Simon's forecast looks a bit more pessimistic than the Met Office inshore waters which is unusual, but the message I take from it is unsettled and unpredictable conditions so keep an eye on the weather. As ever it's all down to boat and crew we don't mind staying aboard on a bouy or at anchor all weekend (but we might have to find somewhere to buy a newspaper tomorrow) and if we have to cross Poole bay in F6 then we will. Hope this helps.

sitting in the rain on a ;pontoon in Scarborough

fan heater on

about to go for a belly buster

bbc sais four to five NE shifting to the East - sunshine this afternoon

windguru says rain all day - wind in the east four

150 miles to go

should be a fast trip to anstruther - but less than clement

D

 

[stranded]

Sailing Lymington to Studland for a beach BBQ Saturday night come what may - SWMBO's birthday and that doesn't stop for the weather. But we are a bit bigger and have a lovely heater! Come join us for a beer or several!

 

[josephmoore]

The forecast breeze isn't bothering me... the forecast rain isn't bothering me too much either... but the thunderstorms which keep popping on and off the forecast and the fact we've seen a fair bit of fork lighting round here in the past few days is bothering me a fair bit.

Edit to add: 22' boat

 

[dom]

My question is, is this really weekend sailing weather for a little boat like mine?

Personally I'd say no ....the beautifully restored boats featured on your web-link look too stunning to bash around in a Solent F7 against tide!

Better to go sailing with a plastic fantastic friend who can just rock up to the spares department to replace whatever gets bust.

 

[25931]

It doesn't look too bad here.

 

[alahol2]

Sitting at home all packed and ready to go as soon as Bramblemet gets down to F4-5. Looks like it could be later this afternoon. The tide won't be turning west until about 6 this evening so we'll be pushing it for a while. May go down to Newtown or Keyhaven or perhaps wimp out and go up to Newport.
What's going to happen on Monday? Peeing with rain all day? Light winds and sunshine?

 

[agurney]

We are starting a two week cruise tomorrow, sticking to the CCC Kintyre to Ardnamurchan book, hopefully the Coll, Iona area.

Wind looks like being in a good direction for a run along the south of Mull towards Iona - that's usually a lumpy sail with a lee shore.

 

[PhillM]

Thanks all, was beginning to wonder about my commitment and / or decision making!

I have the luxury of being 15 mins from the boat so can pick and choose when to go out. I think I will give tomorrow a mis unless when I wake up the forecast AND the actual weather looks better.

I am hoping that Sunday and Monday are better days. Might even just go for a couple of day sails.

My biggest problem is that none of my crew like cold / wet or rough. I don't mind it but it scares them and that is the last thing I want to do. Also being a Bank Holiday, going away on my own is not going to go down too well either and tbh I didn't breed a large family to push of at holidays.

Thanks for your replies - I do feel better about not pushing the boat out this weekend.

 

[FairweatherDave]

Snap!

 

[onesea]

I don't do cold wet and windy. Today classes as all 3 by my standards.

Try avoid sustained over 20 knots single handed. 25 ish with crew.

Same as you I live close to my boat(I can be sailing 40 mins after leaving front door).

I have a partner who frequently drags me out when I felt it was to windy (I never refuse ).

If family are not keen do not push it.

I had SWMBO out in a dinghy on Thursday she hates them and is scared of them.

I am only doing this the once she said, we sailed for 30 mins I called it quits (not happy with rigging, needs tuning was excuse).

She came back with smile and we'll do it again...

I have cancelled many marginal sailing trips or turned back in time to do something else when it looked wrong.

Now it's swmbo who makes the calls, often ones than I would not make because of her...

Weather or not is not my decision, unless it's that bad I would not go out...

 

[LadyInBed]

The joys of being retired, wet BH WE stay at home

 

[Babylon]

Corker of a sail today! Slipped just after a sharp shower at LW, beam reached for 22NM in dry conditions to Chi, averaged 5.5kts in a S3 gusting 4, hit 7.5kts, barely another yacht to be seen and no mobos, then got lightly drizzled on as we entered the harbour, now on a visitors buoy at Itchenor, having had two pints of best and a delicious smoked haddock special at The Ship.

Tomorrow is forecast S3 and sunshine.

 

[Daydream believer]

Yup !!!
Sun & Monday-Going to stroll, down to the yacht club & sail 4 races ( one long distance ) in the Phantom dinghy - then Wednesday off on a round England ( plus Channel Islands) SH in the cruiser
Weather is weather & one has to take it as it comes & make the best of it, or loose it

 

[DJE]

But if the rain puts you off you never get to see these:-

Off Cowes just before sunset on Friday evening. We got the cruising chute down before it rained. Arrived in Newtown just before dark and had our pick of the moorings. Stayed two days - rainy at night and sunny during the day but a bit muddy underfoot when walking ashore. Cracking sail back yesterday afternoon.