Perspective

[charles_reed]

on heavy weather...

this man considers 50 knot winds reasonable:

"Finally, one's definition of heavy or dangerous weather is very much a function of experience and the ability to handle your boat when the going becomes more difficult. There is no way to acquire this experience except by going out when it is blowing and pushing hard. Reefing, setting storm canvas, tacking and jibing, and balancing the boat under self steering when it is rough out should all be learned before heading offshore."

What opinions do you have.

Most small boat sailors I know consider F6 "survival" conditions.

 

[bedouin]

Depends on lots of things.

My 32'er (do you class that as a "small boat") really enjoys stronger winds - the strongest we have sailed in has been F8 and that was great fun, it hadn't even got to the anxious stage; but then the seas were only "rough" not "very rough", and we weren't trying to make progress into the wind.

On another boat, I have experienced 50kt winds in the Solent, that time we motored rather than sailed (the boat didn't have a storm jib!) but it still classed as exhilarating rather than frightening. However I would not have liked to attempt the Needles Channel wind-against-tide on either occasion.

Lest I be thought 'macho' I should point out that my wife was with me on both occasions and shared my views.

We begin to think carefully about whether to set off if the wind is forecast for F6 and above, and considerations such as length of journey, sea state and wind direction pay an important part. We would not set off with F8 or above forecast - except in the Solent. Not that we particularly mind F8 but I have no particular desire to experience F9.

 

[imptish]

I would consider F6 in my boat (28', v light displacement) to be the top end of "comfortable" sailing. Certainly not survival conditions. Having been caught out in an unforecast F9 in the channel, with just a storm jib set, it is an experience that I wouldn't wish to be in again but which I did not consider dangerous at the time.

I believe strongly in having dedicated headsails for strong weather, I would hate to have been out in the same conditions with a roll up genoa.

 

[JeremyF]

I think its all down to boat plus experience. I was recently out on a Sunsail corporate race day. F6/7 in the Solent. 39 yachts, 7 crew plus a skipper; most crew had zero experience. I was distinctly uncomfortable about racing with so many yachts with crew that hadn't a clue getting in the way.

Jeremy Flynn

 

[AndrewB]

Beaufort Scale.

As you say, it all depends.

Take an F8 (34-40kts). An exciting sail in the Solent, no sweat in open ocean, but a nightmare in tight coastal waters with strong tides like the English Channel. There, I would agree with the view that an F6 (22-27kts) is at the upper end of sensible sailing.

Let us be clear what we are talking about with an F6. Yachtsmen frequently describe the wind strength they experienced by the strongest gust of apparent wind recorded on their Windex. In these terms, an F6 means gusts of up to 40kts.

 

[bedouin]

Re: Beaufort Scale.

I think it depends a lot on the details of the journey. Our last trip back from France was in F7/8 (as recorded by the Coastguard - I don't trust the calibration of our wind speed indicator) but the wind was steady (no significant gusts) and westerly - that meant that we were in the lee of the IoW before closing the shore, and the eastern approaches to the Solent were only "moderate".

 

[robp]

It's a bit like driving on ice or snow isn't it? You don't want to do it but gaining the experience with a good outcome is invaluable. Fortunate is probably the wrong word but when I started sailing off shore (as opposed to messing about in boats), we seemed to get quite a lot of heavyish weather (6's & 7's). I suppose this was useful in shaping my "perspective". That's the opinion now for a question.

On our summer holiday cruise a few weeks ago, we wanted to leave St Helier and get to France. (Schedules, and wanting to be in France prior to our return trip via Alderney). Early morning, Jersey Radio - generally force 4 - 5 but strong wind warning in North (Alderney/Cap de la Hague). We departed and after a good sail through the Violet Channel with winds from the N.W., put into St Catherines Bay for lunch a snooze and to enable arrival Carteret on a rising tide and for the sill. Kept checking the weather - same - and watching the windex - constant 20 knots gusts, 24 knots. We agreed to depart for Carteret and had an exhilarating sail up past Les Ecroux. Spelling? When we turned for Carteret the wind started to build and on our approach grew to 33 Knots, gusting 37. I stood off for a while and watched a yacht in the distance come from the N.W. and go in. In the shoaling waters the sea was breaking and about 3 - 4 metres. We had a hairy sleigh ride and rolled a bit. (Perspective?, my nine year old, securely strapped on, peered over the side and kept saying "cool")! I questioned myself the wisdom of going on shore at the time and ever since but where would I have gone? We could have "run" back down to Jersey but no one was keen to stay out.

Dinner and wine in "Les Hermitage" never tasted better.

 

[chippie]

I have had a few trips where we have had exhilarating sailing off the wind in 30knots gusting higher, but it always amazes me how bad the weather really becomes when we have to beat into it. I have been caught out on higher winds but tend to avoid putting to sea in them, I go sailing for pleasure after all.
The change in perspective from a fast thrash to a hard slog with spray everywhere always reminds me of the quote 'gentlemen dont sail to weather' (or something along those lines.)

 

[RupertW]

With me there are two kinds of sailing - the stuff I enjoy at the time and the stuff I enjoy in retrospect, preferably in a warm bar with a cold Guinness.

Most of my "enjoy in retrospect" sails have been bad weather ones and I now try to think about the bar-side tales while I'm actually in the thick of it - "...and then the lightning hit the water a mile away, err... half a mile away...err ....oh shit!"

 

[janie]

Giles, is that you, or has Imptish been sold? If your F9 was the 2000 RE, I thought it was officially classified as F10? However, I'd have to say our heavier boat was no doubt a lot more comfortable than yours!
Janie

 

[imptish]

Yes Janie it is me, I've still got Imptish for the time being.

F9 or F10, the entrance into Fecamp still sends shivers up and down my spine! You undoubtedly had a more comfortable ride than us, we couldn't even have a cup of tea 'cos the kettle got holed!!

Giles

 

[janie]

The good news is that when we asked the children whether they wanted to come this year, their first question was "What will the weather be like?". We were able to answer quite honestly that it would be better than last time!

 

[Eudorajab]

I agree entireley. There is no substitute for experience. One thing always worth remembering is that while a F9 is okay with the boys, the wife and daughter dont generally tend to get the same sort of BUZZ (post event of course). I have found however that they certainly tend to enjoy the bar room recounting and i make a note of detailing just how harsh the conditions were. This pays huge dividends when you are in a blow with the family, you can always say .. naaaah .. remember when ............. this is nothing. And that helps them.