Searush
Well-Known Member
A recent poster seemed to think that Wash & Waves were the same. I would like to take this opportunity to illustrate a few differences.
1/ Waves, while not all the same height, tend to be fairly regular & predictable. There is always the odd one in seven or so that is bigger or steeper, but you know they are there or thereabouts for the duration of the journey. Generally, wind pressure on the sails reduces rolling significantly & it is possible to move around & work the boat with care.
2/ Wash occurs as a small number of very short steep waves in close succession on an otherwise calm sea. Wash is not often a problem on the open sea unless it is very calm. So, one is often working on deck or below, focussing on a task in a sheltered area when wash hits. It is seldom a problem if helmsman has time to turn into the wash as the pitching moment is relatively less, but if hit from the side, your boat will roll suddenly & violently. It is not uncommon for people for be thrown off balance and fall. Injuries & accidents are quite common. The sails will frequently slat, which means that the boom will fly to & fro across the cockpit area at head height.
It was suggested that an opportunity to experience wash would be very instructive to MoBo'ers that don't believe in it. I would be happy to offer that service. I frequently have family & grandchildren on board who also do not understand the risks initially. They soon learn, and "Beware Wash" is as likely to be shouted by the kids as the skipper.
1/ Waves, while not all the same height, tend to be fairly regular & predictable. There is always the odd one in seven or so that is bigger or steeper, but you know they are there or thereabouts for the duration of the journey. Generally, wind pressure on the sails reduces rolling significantly & it is possible to move around & work the boat with care.
2/ Wash occurs as a small number of very short steep waves in close succession on an otherwise calm sea. Wash is not often a problem on the open sea unless it is very calm. So, one is often working on deck or below, focussing on a task in a sheltered area when wash hits. It is seldom a problem if helmsman has time to turn into the wash as the pitching moment is relatively less, but if hit from the side, your boat will roll suddenly & violently. It is not uncommon for people for be thrown off balance and fall. Injuries & accidents are quite common. The sails will frequently slat, which means that the boom will fly to & fro across the cockpit area at head height.
It was suggested that an opportunity to experience wash would be very instructive to MoBo'ers that don't believe in it. I would be happy to offer that service. I frequently have family & grandchildren on board who also do not understand the risks initially. They soon learn, and "Beware Wash" is as likely to be shouted by the kids as the skipper.
