What force wind to venture out in

snooks said:
There are so many variables it's not possible to give a definitive answer. Boat, sea state, length of trip, wind angle, strength of crew etc.
Click to expand...

True.

I personally think you should always factor in a potential error in the forecast of around 20%. As a general rule I would avoid heading out in anything more than a 5/6, and only then if it is forecast to decrease.

Occasionally you may get caught out in higher winds, which of course you then deal with - but setting out in much more than a 6 significantly increases the risks of either injury or damage to the vessel.

If you are looking at staying in sheltered waters then at least the sea state will be reasonable, but out in open water it is a different story.

It's forecast to gust to around 44 mph today and 55 mph tomorrow. I'm certainly not going sailing!

Pete
 
obmij said:
The F8's and F9's from your RAF days - gusts or sustained wind speed?

A lot of crews retrospectively count wind speed in gusts i.e highest windspeed recorded = the Beaufort force (sounds better over a few scoops in the pub) but if as probable the F9's were F6's with windy bits then you know what to expect as this is the forecast weather this weekend.
Click to expand...

Absolutely right and like the size of fishes caught, the strength of wind gusts goes up with time. Human nature.

What you might do as young men in the forces is not necessarily sensible or realistic - male ego means no backing out not to mention the immortality that we all have when young. But with age comes sense and wisdom - no point at all in deliberately going out in an 8. It will be uncomfortable, could easily become dangerous and certainly is taking risks both for self and possible rescue services that dont need taking. In short its irresponsible.
 
clutters said:
I want to take a trip aroud the island this weekend with a regular non newbie crew but the weather is certainly causing me concern. When I sailed with the RAF we were regularly sailing in 8 and had tested our Trysail and storm jib frequently in 9's. We took this seriously and with respect but weren't phased by it. This was some time ago now and i wasn't skipper back then or a particularly knowledgable sailor at all.

I've skippered in 7's before coming across the Gibraltar straights with not much concern though deep reefed and undercontrol. Is it foolhardy/dangerous to take a crew out when wind is predicted to be gusting high 8's? My head says yes, as if things develop there are no safe havens on the south side so stick to the solent if the forecast stays the same. That said if it is predicted that we'll be sailing downwind with tide then that should ease apparent conditions and sea state will be healthier.


Views and advice welcome.
Click to expand...

1: F8 & 9 offshore is bad, but most definitely NOT the same as F8-9 in the Needles channel or in St Kaths overfalls. Both places are ship killers, let alone yachts, as sadly many have found to their cost over the years.

2. If you are uncertain and asking about it, then unless you have an exceptionally tough crew who know what they are in for and a boat to match, then the simple answer is No. Keep in sheltered waters on this weekends forecast!
 
birdseye said:
Absolutely right and like the size of fishes caught, the strength of wind gusts goes up with time. Human nature.

...no point at all in deliberately going out in an 8. It will be uncomfortable, could easily become dangerous and certainly is taking risks both for self and possible rescue services that dont need taking. In short its irresponsible.
Click to expand...

Oh for Godness Sake! F-8 implies a mean wind speed of 34-40kts, which can cause a wide variety of sea conditions depending on tide, fetch, swell, headland, etc. One might think of it as a black ski run: it should be OK on a good day but dangerous during bad light, slushy snow or whatever. Those that know the mountains can judge this, ditto for those who know the sea.

As for the exaggeration point: why should one exaggerate the competence of others? This year in Alderney I was watching 30-33 kts in the harbour. Missus decided to cycle around the island instead of sailing, which incidentally I'd happily recommend. During the morning a scattering of boats disappeared into the seas rolling past the harbour wall. AFAIK not a single one came to any harm; nothing clever here, nothing heroic, just good judgement.
 
Thank you

Thanks all for a super breadth of views and opinions. I've enjoyed watching you all debate so passionately and it's certainly given me what I wanted.
 
My personal rule when setting out is max 4 ahead and 6 behind.

I have sailed in the Solent in a heavy 40 ft racer with a steady 40-45 knots of wind. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to go out to the Needles or round the South side in that. One assumes you'd go round anti-clockwise as an open sea beat would be no fun at all.

XCWeather is showing 5-6 all weekend, gusting to 47 knots at St Catherine's on Sunday.

Stay in the Solent!
 
clutters said:
Thanks all for a super breadth of views and opinions. I've enjoyed watching you all debate so passionately and it's certainly given me what I wanted.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing you're pubbing it today, but if by chance you are around the back of the island a few photos would be fun :cool:
 
Advancing years resulting in strength reduction rather than greater wisdom means I don't go upwind in more than a 5 and downwind in more than a 6. But then being singlehanded I don't have to worry about crew.

High winds, in the Atlantic, never appeared to be as daunting as the Med, where the seas are short, sharp and vindictive. One year I sailed all the way from N Crete to Thassos against the meltemi - it's possible and you don't need to use the motor much, but the bruises one's body recieves and the sheer volume of water you have to remove from the bilges after each day makes the comment "it's so nice when you stop" understandable.
 
Well, we ventured out this weekend. Only as far as Cowes - sacked the original plan to go to Yarmouth as that would have been very long and unpleasant. But the quick dash across was about the right length to blow the cobwebs away and feel like we'd done some sailing without becoming a slog. I would certainly never have considered going right round the Island as the OP originally proposed!

Hopefully better weather over Easter, planning a gentle cruise with the parents to Poole and back.

Pete
 
>What force wind to venture out in

It depends how much experience you have. When we decided to go long distance sailing, where you have to take whatever comes along, we decided to take the boat we bought out in ever stronger winds to see how she handled up to gale force. We had already sailed in gales in charter boats. Once you have that experience you don't worry if the weather turns bad. But why bother going out in bad weather if you don't have to.

The worst we had was gale not forecasted over Biscay with gusts up to 50 knots. A cat hove to using both engines, a 50 foot ketch ran off towing drogues and sadly a local fishing boat was lost with all hands. We had a heavy displacement steel ketch and kept sailing it was the safest thing to do and we had done it before.
 
We went out for a trial sail from Lymington to Bembridge and back on Saturday,Discovery 67 ,found a few leaks with the amount of water on deck.
Max gust 40kts ,a bit cold and soggy on deck too.
Skipper decided a local sail ,more preferable to a round the Island,enjoyed the sailing .:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top