Powerboaters and big seas

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Peppermint

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Over on the MoBo site they're getting all the stats on heavy weather sailing.

From Gludy's first pole they seem an intrepid bunch.

The second pole seems a bit more fun though. Would you go out into a F10+?

Then it mentions a 21ft powerboat. See I told you they were brave.

Now I do know someone who would go out in a F10 in a 21ft motorboat. He trains Lifeboatmen and his 21ft RIB is built for the job. I don't think I'd want to be out there in a Sealine or what have you though.

So yotties what wind/seastate does it take to keep you in harbour?
 
I thought that lady in March YM who was trying to make her way from Brighton to the Solent with a gale forcast was mad. Since the tide she wanted would mean wind over tide in a westerly gale and she had a weak crew, I think she was lucky to get there in one piece. Which is a long winded way of saying I don't go out in predicted gales. I'm not a lifeboatman and don't want to cause any unnecessary work for those who are.
 
I too sail for fun, relaxation and general enjoyment.

None of these things come from bad weather. Depending where we are going, top end passage F5-6 (falling) wind in the right direction and warm and sunny. F4 if it is colder, damp and generally miserable and F4 sunny for a day sail is preferable.

Cruising is fun, beating and taking chances is not, unless you are racing with a strong crew. I can't afford to keep replacing broken bits!

Being out in bad weather is good for learning and honing skills. But F10 on my boat would be survival conditions. I have done F9 on a small leisure boat and hope never to repeat that ever again, ever! Touching wood right now!

FWIW, I wouldn't mind thrashing about the surf in a rib one day though, it looks like great fun, but I would only do it with a skipper who knows what he was doing, I have also seen the videos when it goes wrong and the ribs fly!
 
My rule is:-

"Don't go looking for bad weather - it will find you soon enough." /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
F10 on my boat would be survival conditions.

[/ QUOTE ]
F10 on most boats would be survival conditions.

Most I've been out in is a F8 on a Rival 41. Wouldn't knowingly set out in anything more than F6 though.
 
IMHO I think that's the right answer! I would always be cautious before setting out, hoping that I have got the weather conditions sussed out but we will all be caught out at sometime and we need to be prepared for that eventuality.
Especially on long journeys when you either get caught out due to the time at sea but also, as a lot of us have to "get back" it often appears that the worst conditions are on the homeward leg! (only a perception not a point I would argue with) I can only speak of my own experiences and the risks I have taken to get back.

Regards.

Peter.
 
YM Article

Reading between the lines, I am guessing that the lady in question is AndrewB's partner. In which case, first voyage as a skipper or not, I suspect she has a bit more experience of heavy weather than most of us!
 
I wouldn't worry to much if I were you. There's enough inflated ego's to keep everyone afloat if things go pear shaped! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
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