Solent – too much wind

P

PhillM

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 Nov 2010
Messages
4,016
Location
Solent
Visit site
We are still a novice crew (season2 owners) so F4/5 is our enjoyment threshold. Saturday is forecast F5/6 mid Solent.

We are Swanwick / Hamble based and had planned a trip to Bucklers Hard but sounds like it might be a bi rough for fun. After all don’t want to scare the family (or myself for that matter).

Well I always have more painting / varnishing to do but it does seem like a waste of a day. So where would you go and what would you do for a day onboard?
 
Just reef down.

Hamble to Bucklers is not a long distance, and you'll be on the ebb presumably with an easterly wind, so no wind over tide.
 
Phil,

I've been sailing for over 40 years and am still most definitely a novice; if you meet a sailor who reckons he knows it all, run like the wind !

If you're not comfortable - and you're completely correct about not putting your crew off - don't go; you'll have the opportunity to sail in the rough stuff sooner or later, but there's no point sticking your neck out...

Maybe you could sail in the river, a good way of finding if the boats' reefing systems and sail balance etc work under pressure ?

Above all, it's supposed to be fun, we're not Alan Villiers types trying to earn a crust - and survive - as we round Cape Horn !
 
You'll have to do it sometime, but maybe best not to take the family out till you're comfortable in those circumstances yourself. Do you have other crew you can call upon? Or even a friendly nearby boat owner who will take you out in his boat for the practice?
 
Seajet said:
Phil,

I've been sailing for over 40 years and am still most definitely a novice; if you meet a sailor who reckons he knows it all, run like the wind !

If you're not comfortable - and you're completely correct about not putting your crew off - don't go; you'll have the opportunity to sail in the rough stuff sooner or later, but there's no point sticking your neck out...

Maybe you could sail in the river, a good way of finding if the boats' reefing systems and sail balance etc work under pressure ?

Above all, it's supposed to be fun, we're not Alan Villiers types trying to earn a crust - and survive - as we round Cape Horn !
Click to expand...

Absolutely first rate post, couldn't agree more
 
Seajet said:
Phil,

I've been sailing for over 40 years and am still most definitely a novice; if you meet a sailor who reckons he knows it all, run like the wind !

If you're not comfortable - and you're completely correct about not putting your crew off - don't go; you'll have the opportunity to sail in the rough stuff sooner or later, but there's no point sticking your neck out...

Maybe you could sail in the river, a good way of finding if the boats' reefing systems and sail balance etc work under pressure ?

Above all, it's supposed to be fun, we're not Alan Villiers types trying to earn a crust - and survive - as we round Cape Horn !
Click to expand...

I agree - spot on. It IS supposed to be fun: trouble is with the recent poor summers, there hasnt been too much 'fun weather' for those of us who prefer to take it steady. No, dont go if you don't feel comfortable with it. Not now, not never. I once missed three days superb sailing weather in a drying harbour, because the forecast was confidently predicting a F9 - it never went above F4! As you get more adventurous sooner or later you will get caught out in weather you wouldn't set out in. You will get cold, wet and frightened - but making it to your destination in those conditions - well there's nothing quite like it! And there is a certain smugness about 'turning back' - at least you are still in one piece, and enjoying yourself!
 
Check the wind and tide directions. Poke your nose out. If you don't fancy it, there's nothing wrong with turning back. Better to be cautious, but you may find it is great!
 
Well we're going out - cos I have a scrub booked - the boat will handle it without a prob - how do I know? Because I've pushed the comfort zone s little at a time.

If I were you I'd possible have a little pootle down to the brambles bank - stick the nose out to see what it's like and then return - unless it's fine - then carry on!

Why would I go?
It shows you and the family what a little rough is like and you are demonstrating that you are prepared to stop the trip if it's not ok - it helps give the crew confidence that you can Make the right decision.

When first faced with a rough crossing to bembridge I told the crew not to worry cos the boat will last far longer than us!! He was fine with that - but we were glad to be in - now a little rough Isn't a problem.
 
Check Bramblemet in the morning (if you have web access). If what it is saying ties in with the forecast and you don't fancy it, don't go.

You say "family". I'm guessing that means kids as well as SWMBO. If so, then don't go out in conditions that you and they are not entirely comfortable with. Been there and done that and it is the reason I now mostly sail with mates and not family. Forecast was F3 or 4 occasionally 5. Actual conditions were F7. I was enjoying it, but the family wasn't and I didn't have the sense to check Bramblemet beforehand, nor to turn back immediately.

On your doorstep you have a number of interesting places to visit, especially if you have a car: Manor Farm Country Park (take the dinghy upstream if you have one), Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley Abbey, etc. Further afield, a trip to Gosport/Portsmouth - Royal Dockyard is pricey, but the submarine museum is great and better value. Perhaps save that for a day when it is raining. Beaulieu by road (car museum, etc). Drive in the New Forest. Loads to do.

If you don't fancy sailing, use the boat as a caravan and explore inland. All being well you'll have loads of time on the water in the future.
 
Last edited:
Any fool can go out when it's windy, get cold and wet and frighten the crew to death.

You know the strength of your crew, and your own experience. If you do make it in one piece there won't be someone there at the other end with a certificate or medal, likewise no one will think anything less of you for not going.

It's one thing getting caught out in a blow, it's some thing else going out in one.

In a completely different part of the country the forecast was saying 7 or 8, at the time it was bright sunshine and not a breath....it had been blowing 50 knots over the night, and went from 40 to 30 to nothing during the day. Another boat had gone out and I knew the skipper, he left in 40 knots, 5 mins from the harbour he phoned to tell me there was no wind so the conditions seemed local.

As there was no wind, lots of sun we though we'd go out. 10 mins from the harbour I noticed a wind line as I was putting up the main, as it got closer it I could see white horses, thinking it would be 20 knots plus I tucked in two reefs. We had a steady 35 knots and there was no way I was going to try to get back into the marina in that wind....so we headed for a sheltered anchorage. The next day we had up to 40 knots on the nose and 3 reefs in!

Have a look at a forecast closer to Saturday, check out bramblemet and see what the current conditions are and make your decision based on that.

As some one older and wiser said up there... It should be fun :)
 
Go on Sunday its a better forecast, If you can only get out Saturday put a reef in before you get to Calshot and take it easy and enjoy the sail you can allway do a 180 turn and go back.
 
I agree with all the advice about only going out if you feel the conditions are right for you and the crew.
Southampton water should be more sheltered so the Marchwood idea is a good one, get to look at cruise ships, ferries and watching container ships loading.
For an overnight stay I had a very pleasant visit to Southampton town quay (Behind the red jet) its been recently done up, a bit tight on the approach , but showers and loo's very good... and you can wander into the city easily
 
I'd check it out on the day. Both XC Weather and Wind Guru are currently offering F4 all day on Saturday.
If they're on the money, it should suit perfectly.
 
PhillM said:
We are still a novice crew (season2 owners) so F4/5 is our enjoyment threshold. Saturday is forecast F5/6 mid Solent.

We are Swanwick / Hamble based and had planned a trip to Bucklers Hard but sounds like it might be a bi rough for fun. After all don’t want to scare the family (or myself for that matter).

Well I always have more painting / varnishing to do but it does seem like a waste of a day. So where would you go and what would you do for a day onboard?
Click to expand...

Sounds crazy let the crew decide! Involve them in the decision then they cannot blame you... If they say yes make it clear you might only go to the end of the river see what its like... If you do they will respect you more as skipper, you knew what you where letting them in for!

If they say no accept there decision, never push our crew unless you are 100% confident.

It is meant to be fun... What about doing a leg up Southampton water and back for the experience, lunch back in Hamble?

It would be experience and practice reefing, mooring, unmooring learning what its like when its a bit breezy...

Keep if fun or you will loose your crew...
 
onesea said:
Sounds crazy let the crew decide! Involve them in the decision then they cannot blame you... If they say yes make it clear you might only go to the end of the river see what its like... If you do they will respect you more as skipper, you knew what you where letting them in for!
Click to expand...

+1 Wise advice!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top