RCD catagories

[ari]

I notice that all boats are now catarogised, ABCD I think which vary from inland through coastal, offshore and ocean?

But how can anyone decide between what is coastal and what is offshore, for example? Surely it is dependant on the weather and sea conditions? A 20ft cuddy cabin boat can happily cross the channel on a flat calm day whereas a Squadron 50 wouldn't want to go across in a gale force 9.

I appreciate that common sense comes into it as to what is sensible to go out in and what isn't, but if we're using common sense then there is no need for classifications in the first place, you'd just use your common sense to tell you whether the boat in question was up to the trip in question.

My point is, how long before someone sat in a marina in a 30ft offshore classified cruiser with a force nine blowing says to his family "we're off across the channel, the boat will be fine its offshore classified so I know it will make it".

Any thoughts?

 

[kimhollamby]

Thought? Yes, be careful not to take them too literally.

For example, many motorboats are getting built to Category B. Offshore "Designed for offshore voyages where conditions up to, and including, wind force 8 and significant wave heights up to, and including, 4m may be experienced."

Significant wave heights of 4m (13ft) equate to peak wave heights of 8m (26ft), a bit eye-watering even in a well-found oceang-going yacht. That said, a 20ft long swell with no breaking waves off the West Country would be survivable well enough, provided any destination harbour was safe to enter, but try just a few feet of steep wind against tide in somewhere like the Dover Strait and you have a different proposition that could rapidly cause many motorboats distress, especially if they were helmed badly.

Many objected to the inclusion of categories when the RCD was introduced but those putting the legislation together argued that some kind of break was required, to differentiate, say, between the requirements for narrowboats designed for calm waters and craft designed for offshore voyages.

Fortunately we don't yet have the silly situation where the distance you can take your boat and the weather you can take it out in are governed by the RCD. That said, I have been always careful not to overload any RCD-plated boat beyong its stated capacity as that seems to be tempting fate in more ways than one.

++

For the record, the four categories are:

A. OCEAN: Designed for extended voyages where conditions may exceed
wind force 8 (Beaufort scale) and significant wave heights of 4m and
above, and vessels largely self-sufficient.

B. OFFSHORE: Designed for offshore voyages where conditions up to, and
including, wind force 8 and significant wave heights up to, and including, 4m
may be experienced.

C. INSHORE: Designed for voyages in coastal waters, large bays,
estuaries, lakes and rivers where conditions up to, and including, wind
force 6 and significant wave heights up to, and including, 2m may be
experienced.

D. SHELTERED WATERS: Designed for voyages on small lakes, rivers, and
canals where conditions up to, and including, wind force 4 and significant
wave heights up to, and including, 0.5m may be experienced.

The RCD states that "boats in each Category must be designed and
constructed to withstand these parameters in respect of stability
buoyancy, and other relevant essential requirements listed in Annex I,
and to have good handling characteristics."


Associate Publisher ybw.com websites kim_hollamby@ipcmedia.com

 

[BarryH]

I've always looked at this with an open mind, horses for courses, etc. Now I rekon it was all invented by the insurance industry as a "Getout clause", Sorry mate we wont pay, you had the right catagory of boat on the wrong type of water and you had too much wieght in the way of beer, so the boat wer'nt deigned for it! Type of thing.

Car insurance companies do it, wrong speed rating on the tyre, no payout. Have the insurance companies put these clauses in thier policies, cant find it in mine, and the boat has,nt got a RCD classification. They did'nt want a survey cos' said it aint old enuff. but built before RCD came into force, or is this just a damn great big grey area. Come to think of it they did'nt ask for much, just value, where kept, how long in commision, were do you use it, oh and by the way the trailers only covered if the boats sitting on it, but we will cover it while in transit, but not the under water stuff.

Way i see it, its the euro peeps just trying to justify their jobs, still thats life.

Regards BarryH

 

[tcm]

Re: RCD categories

None your examples would be A rated, so none should see it as okay to be out in a force nine. Squadron is B, I believe. If you meant an ocean rated cruiser, and he/she planned to make the trip, then the boat would be theoreticaly able to "take it" altho such rating means that "it'll definitely be okay". The rating system is meant as an aid to common sense, not a replacement.

Those with, say B-rated boat would consider carefully if crew, wind direction, weather, daylight, likely sea conditions, conditions at destination was favourable before setting off in (say) a force 7-8, the limit for such a vessel. I have done this (in the med) but those other factors were all favourable.

Your theoretical skipper in an A-rated 30-footer (a few but by no means all sailboats, for example) would take into account the conditions. Wind direction plays a big part: if south-easterly, for example, the very worst sea conditions from soent to cherbourg, frexample, will be seen in the eastern solent, and one might have a look. We're assuming a hardy, race-loving and windblown family, mind you, no seasickies, who don't go out in much less than a 5- 6 because it's no fun, force seven and eight no problem, and who have paid extra for the better seaworthiness of an ocean-going vessel. Not some bloke who's just bort a targa 30 powerboat.

 

[BarryH]

Re: RCD categories

OI! you I'm looking at a Targa 30 powerboat,you saying I aint' got no sense, I'm gonna tell kim 'bout you!

Seriuosly tho, do these eurocraps think that most of the boating population are that dense that they gonna set off on a trans atlantic trip in a boat that you use for weekend waterskiing. If we look at it rationaly its all down to common sense, so should the skipper be rated rather than the boat!!

Regards BarryH ( targa 30 powerboat dimwit)

 

[Bergman]

Re: RCD categories

Well er yes and no

Its unlikely that those who don't understand question will come up with right answer.

On the other hand, how do you know what any particular boat is capable of. There are no units to measure seaworthyness so inevitable any categorisation is going to be flawed, but at least RCD does give you a comparision between boats that may be similar in appearance.

Problem with all advice is it can backfire. Worst question anyone can ask is "is it ok to go out today" answer yes and they sink its your fault, answer no and they have miserable day thats your fault too.

Take RCD as a bit more info which may influence choice and rest is common sense. Boat at sea is never safe, just varying levels of risk.

 

[BarryH]

Re: RCD categories

I Never take risks! ask my axe swinging wife

 

[byron]

These are just rough guidelines. Common sense must be applied at all times. A a N.E. force 5 wind on a falling tide in the Thames Estuary would batter the boots off virtually any power boat taking the tide out but a force 7 in the Solent could be laughed at by a 25 footer. A Narrowboat even on the non tidal Thames can be at risk if the river is running fast.

ô¿ô

 

[Guest]

I can remember doing the London ring in my narrow boat .We came out at Limehouse and then up to Brentford to get back in the Grand Union.
Thing is while on the lower Thames there were times when I felt very unsure of the boats capability's re wash from Large boats whizzing past .
That boat was not flat bottomed and had plenty of ballast ,now my point.
Had their been a classification stating what design parameters my type of boat could cope with I dought I would have risked all by venturing out on to a main and potentially dangerous river. So as long as the system works and builders work to then surely it's a good thing
Mick