Sea state for a comfortable first channel crossing. Channel light vessel

[Uricanejack]

I'm reading these replies with interest! Perhaps I should say that as I understand it a wave height of 1m will have a trough of 1m, therefore a wave will appear as 2m from the bottom of the trough.

As far as I know.

Wave height is measured from the bottom of the trough to the top of the crest.
The wave length from the top of the crest to the next.
The period the time taken for one crest to pass a spot until the next crest passes.

I am told its the least accurate part of the forecast. The wave height looks quite different from kayak to a cruise ship.

Depends what you are comfortable with. The size and type of your boat. It also depends on what your crew are comfortable with.
Personally I probably wouldn't set of if I expected an F6. No point in scaring my crew.
I have to admit she is not bad. Last time I was going to go myself she insisted on coming JIK. Turns out she does worry about me.

 

[FairweatherDave]

As far as I know.

Wave height is measured from the bottom of the trough to the top of the crest.
The wave length from the top of the crest to the next.
The period the time taken for one crest to pass a spot until the next crest passes.

)

Thanks Uricanejack, I think you are right. I was confusing wave height and amplitude, (some badly learnt physics lesson 40 years ago)

 

[Topcat47]

My rule of thumbs are:-

1. Don't go if the forecast is 6 and rising.

2. Don't go if it's the tail end of a big atlantic storm.

3. Sailing to windward is a mug's game s plan your passage accordingly.

4. For my 26'er I allow 14 hours from Yarmouth - Cherbourg. 16 hours Portsmouth - Cherbourg.

5. Aim to be upside of Cherbourg upon sighting the French coast.

6. Decide early if you need to change target ports (Alderney/ St Vaast). Both add at least 4 hours to the passage.

7. Even if you and the crew NEVER get seasick, keep Stugeron in the medicen chest and a couple of sachets of rehydration salts.

 

[[70521]]

Along with MagicSeaweed you can get an idea of the sea state out in the channel from Channel Light vessel (wave height and period). I was wondering if anyone uses any rule of thumb as to whether to go across or not, eg under 1 meter and it'll be comfortable enough, or what? Obviously there are plenty of other factors, the forecast, wind against tide etc. And then we are all different regarding what comfortable means and we have different boats. But I have an average tolerance for a lumpy sea, stay on deck, chew ginger etc. Just wondering what others do other than consulting the wind biased weather forecasts. And I regard my 29ft bilge keeler as average size too, though perfect for our needs.

Last time we crossed from Sark back to Englandshire we had a lovely 4 meter swell and thick fog, a cracking sail that averaged over 5 knots for the full 90 NM. Wavelength is a far bigger factor than wave height for me.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

I can concur regarding wave height. The Navigator was concerned about Windguru predicted wave height as it threatened F6 coming back from Scilly. But it stayed F5 and she conceded that 3m and occasional 4m waves in clear water was just going up and down and she enjoyed the sail. Wind on nose and channel chop is what gives a you tiring run.