Rough weather what to do?

[BrendanS]

Way off shore is almost always easier than inshore, for the reasons you describe, nice big swell that is easy to power through, rather than inshore chop. The biggest mistake most people make is staying too close into known overfalls. Many think that a mile or two offshore will take them past the worst, while many overfalls require you are at least 5 to 7 miles out to avoid the rough stuff.

One of the techniques I've learnt in real rough stuff is to zig zag, rather than go diagonal. Power up wave, take power off as you near top, and as you gently go over the top, swing the wheel right over. As you go down, swing the wheel over the other way, and you'll turn to go up the next wave at an angle. Power on again, and repeat. Not sure why this is better than diagonal, but it allows you to go in more of the direction you want if you control the direction of the angle to the waves, and gives a comfortable ride. Best practised rather than described though.

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[pissativlypossed]

Interesting point about the sea anchor, I carry one, although this is a carry over from my raggy days, we had the RNLI on board a few weeks ago to do a sea safety check, one of the items on their check list was a sea anchor. Presume it would'nt have been on there if they were'nt trying to draw our attention to the importance of carrying one.

<hr width=100% size=1>"Open Another Bottle"

 

[slipstream242]

AJL yes its me with the black Humber;

a couple of points - I don't carry an auxilliary but recommend a sea anchor ;I don't have a sea anchor but do have a couple of large buckets which will act as a drogue if necessary with a couple of holes in he bottom or maybe strip your new Musto off and tie that on.My point is that unless you have a meaty aux it would probably be useless in rough conditions .

Going offshore on this bit of coast might not make a big difference to your ride given that there are a number of banks parrallel to the shore and the relative shallowness of the estuary generally although in terms of pure safety sea room must be the correct option.

What I think prompted the proposal of beaching is the fear of a broach and subsequent capsize because instinct tells (perhaps wrongly) you that if that disaster happens you are safer nearer the shore.

And however big your boat looks out of the water its damned small in the sea big waves or not and of course not another craft in sight to give you a little comfort

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: Get a flybridge boat?

Disagree with that. The flybridge of a boat being tossed about in a rough sea is not the place for young children and the less agile to be. Its too easy to lose your handhold and be tipped overboard. I do agree though that it is safer for the helmsman to helm from the flybridge
I think its much safer for the crew to be inside the saloon with lifejackets on. In the very remote likelihood that the boat is swamped and sinking, there will be enough time to exit through the saloon doors IMHO. Its about weighing the risk of being lost overboard from the flybridge and being trapped inside the saloon in a sinking. I know which I think is the more likely

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: Get a flybridge boat?

Dry suit? I dont recall the Fairline Targa brochure mentioning the need to don a dry duit to drive one of their boats in the rough?
There is another issue about driving sports boats in the rough as well and that is that all the engine and nav instruments get soaked so you run the risk of losing them

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[mrplastic]

The beaching idea was a last resort, I figured that if I headed towards the beach with some throttle on I could cut them at the last moment, run up onto the beach and abandon ship over the bow. Damaging the boat was not an issue, it's fully insured and a damaged boat can be replaced or repaired.

I was glad to see the cranes of Harwich in the distance I can tell you!

I was in the company of another boat, A Doral 250 and they had a really rough time of it, we were probably a mile or so apart with them right in close to the beach.

Just goes to show though, I had a chat before I left with a guy with a Grand Banks type trawler boat about 42 foot I would guess. He was going to Felixstowe and told me he goes 'right along the beach' for shelter. Seemed to have loads of experience, he was a harbourmaster I think. Maybe his boat would have faired better being a semi-displacement.

Maybe if he hadn't mentioned that, the seed wouldn't have been planted in my mind. Who knows? I'll certainly try well offshore when faced with similar seas next time!



<hr width=100% size=1>EVERYTHING begins with an E

 

[KevB]

Re: Get a flybridge boat?

Without a doubt Fairline flybridge boats up to 43' (cause that's the biggest I've been on) are wetter on the flybridge than the equivalent Targa. In bigger seas the spray on a sports boat generally flies over the top, mostly missing the cockpit. On a flybridge you get it smack in the face. All IMHO.



<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://static.photobox.co.uk/public/images/45/99/10714599.s.jpg?ch=97&rr=16:00:39>Nirvana</A>

 

[stefan]

This book is good on the subject:
Fast Powerboat Seamanship by Dag Pike ISBN 0 07 142209 9
www.internationalmarine.com
Lost one engine ones obviously due to fuel volting in the tank causing engine to suck air. This followed my intention to make a coastal approach more comfy to crew. However speed decreased too much and boat started to roll like crazy. On my boat 10-12 knots is much better than lower speed unless weather is worse than I have ever experienced.
(Worst I've had was head wind over tide outside Plymouth.
I dont envy you guys those conditions. We turned back and had much more fun in the pubs waiting for better weather. This was enroute Dartmouth-Helsinki 1995)


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[tcm]

Re: more rough weather ideas - anchors and para\'s

with matching pessism, i bought a parachute anchor.

inshore , i wd have no hesitation in dumping the anchor to avoid crunching on the shore but as others say wd aim offshore for the searoom, and/or downwind. Offshore, you need a parachute anchor on a long long line. Either of these will ensure that (except with something really gigantic) you won't get capsized - which you could do of course at much under 8 knots . I wd've thought you get swamped first , then the sinking bit comes once you have a fair load of water on board.

anchored, you get to stop while the weather does its worst, and take the storm on the strongest part of the boat (the bow).

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[Jelly]

Re: Get a flybridge boat?

If the flybridge was the best place for visibility and safety why do most 'proper sea-worthy' boats not have them? I'm thinking of Pilot boats, Nelsons etc.

Dont think I could use one of my buckets as a sea anchor, the handles fall off when full of water let alone pulling against a 6T boat!

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[jhr]

Re: Get a flybridge boat?

Interesting point, tho' I think a fair few Nelsons have a "command bridge"-type set up, piggy backed on to the rear of the wheelhouse? Also a feature of Mr Botnia's excellent Targas, and you don't get much more rufty tufty than them.

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho

 

[adarcy]

Re: I see

Yes a RIB bow would be blown about and the sterndrives would contribute a large amount to "hull grip" at the rear so preventing it laying to the wind. Lifting them or having a bigger sea anchor would help. My question was based on bigger sportscruisers and flybridges where I felt sure the effect would be minimised.

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[mrplastic]

Thanks Stefan, I've ordered a copy via Amazon £1750 inl delivery

Cheers

Clive

<hr width=100% size=1>EVERYTHING begins with an E

 

[PhilF]

expensive boook, interesting post tho. We came back in a force 6 from Portsmouth to Solent. 15 knots got us completely soaked, was warm tho and never had any anxieties. Felt secure in the flybridge tho moving around would have been dangerous as so slippery. Kept SHMBO quiet tho

PhilF

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[mrplastic]

Ooops! yeah should be £17.50 but you all knew that didn't you?

<hr width=100% size=1>EVERYTHING begins with an E

 

[jhr]

Dunno about anyone else, but I assumed it was another example of the overcharging that's normally applied to all marine products. /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho

 

[TargaLout]

Re: Get a flybridge boat?

Without doubt. Cruised Chichester to Portsmouth Sunday pm F5 - F6 head on into wind in my Targa 37 in company with Squadron 43. I had to run with covers up on the Targa otherwise would have been drenched nobody on the SQD43 got even a drip. Flybridge position definately dryer (if not raining) compared to targa.

<hr width=100% size=1><http://www.fairlinetarga37.com>

 

[powerskipper]

Have not read all of this post yet, but have found that in bad weather with water coming over the front, the best gear to wear is.

sun glasses, glasses with, if very bad,some of those B&Q safety goggles over the top, with bit of sham-my leather for wiping,
Peaked cap, base ball type, and water proofs over the top with hood up to hold hat on, then when water comes over the top just look down, peak keeps most of the water out of your face , but do keep mouth closed as sea water tastes yuk.

Depending on the boat but have found that its best to "drive"the boat if poss at low plaining speed though the sea at an angel of around 45* to the oncoming waves, throttle up the waves , power off or reduced just before you reach the top , the boats literally will sink into the water and slide down the other side as describered early in post [ beware this is Very tiring.] tacking as required to maintain course, and remember its not the big wave in front of you that's the problem its the hole behind it.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/>http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/</A>
Julie

 

[tome]

Delivered a Pegasus 35 from Port Solent to Newhaven a few years back and eventually (trial and error) used this technique. Initial attempt aborted in Looe channel due to fuel problems. The boat had been river based and the rough seas stirred up all the accummulated gunge. Limped into Chichester on one engine and the owner had the tanks etc cleaned.

Following day conditions were worse and running at displacement speeds was really hard work, so I took her onto the plane just to see if she would take it. The improvement was dramatic and we angled off the waves just enough to keep it comfortable. Mostly we kept to a constant speed of around 10-12 knots, but now and then had to use throttles on big waves/holes. Took some concentration as the vsibility/wipers were useless.

On arrival, a bit of paint was missing from the bow. The owner suggested that we'd hit something en-route and never paid me for the delivery!

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[AJW]

Being a roughty toughty Ribber I wear ski goggles (actually oakley do a clear version called H2O goggles for this very purpose but they are simply ski goggles as far as I can see!) which fit over my specs and make a world of difference in driving rain and spray. 'Course if you really want the proper kit you go for Gecko Helmet and full face visor ala RNLI ILB's!

I use a similar technique to yours on smaller boats, mebbe a little faster at times but with the key objective of not getting too airborne. It can be exhilarating for a while but also very mentally and physically tiring. And you are so right, its not the waves, its the big holes that are the problem!


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