Sailing in heavy weather

[amoore658]

good afternoon all
i have a dell quay dory and often when it is rough i try to run parallel to the swell. This is usually the driest option and the uncomfortable slamming associated with cathedral hulls goes away. When I do go parallel with the swell, it can often feel quite like a rollercoaster. I was wondering what you all on here would think of that? As in do you think its the safest way. I've usually tried, when I've been out in heavy seas to go into them at angles, which can sometimes wet and the "slamming" feeling returns. However I go with the swell or side to the swell its more comfortable. Is there a chance of capsize when going parallel to the waves? And also do you have any hints or tips?
Thanks for your help

Ps: We're not talking massive 4 metres swells, we're talking 0.5-1 metre swells! lol

 

[z1ppy]

The risk of capsize usually comes when waves are breaking. being beam on to a breaking sea is a scary place to be and not something i would fancy in any boat!

i find that careful throttle control and trim usually allows us to make way in most seas (especially 0.5 / 1 meter swells)

With our rib, into a head sea trim the nose down a little and drive on. it does of course depend on the hull form but for ours, usually we can make 30 / 35 kts into a headsea of 1 meter without it being too uncomfortable.

With a following sea it often feels more comfortable as you tend not to slam but usually more difficult to helm as very careful trim / throttle control is required to stop you stuffing the bows in the trough of the wave. That said, some of the most satisfying helming i have had is running with a big breaking following sea.

For us with smaller boats, by taking the waves at an angle it serves to increase the wave length and can sometimes lead to less slamming.

 

[alant]

good afternoon all
i have a dell quay dory and often when it is rough i try to run parallel to the swell. This is usually the driest option and the uncomfortable slamming associated with cathedral hulls goes away. When I do go parallel with the swell, it can often feel quite like a rollercoaster. I was wondering what you all on here would think of that? As in do you think its the safest way. I've usually tried, when I've been out in heavy seas to go into them at angles, which can sometimes wet and the "slamming" feeling returns. However I go with the swell or side to the swell its more comfortable. Is there a chance of capsize when going parallel to the waves? And also do you have any hints or tips?
Thanks for your help

Ps: We're not talking massive 4 metres swells, we're talking 0.5-1 metre swells! lol

Usual to consider 3 x beam, as the wave that will capsize a boat.

 

[Renegade_Master]

What if going parallel with the waves is not the direction you want to go in? at some time you will have to either face the waves or have them following you.

Going into the head sea, approach the waves at about 70 degrees not straight on, that way you can "ride over the wave" and not slam into the through which when going staright into the wave you will do.

At least that way you can make progress by zig zagging.
In a following see as the previous poster says, should be not problem trimmed right.