What wind force would keep you in harbour?

There are too many variables to make meaningful comments, like the size of boat, capability of crew, sheltered or exposed waters, seastate, wind direction (tailwind or headwind), distance to go, rain or sun and do we have to or just want to go, to mention just a few. Clearly a small bilge keeler with maybe an outboard motor will be a different case than a large cruiser racer with a deep fin and probably a big inboard diesel.

With our last two boats, a Westerly 33 Ketch and a Jeanneau Sun Legende 41 cruiser/racer, both fin keelers we could and did sail in gales, even offshore, but rarely from choice unless it was to get home and the wind was behind the beam. However for a weekend trip where it was for want not need we would also have to consider the forecast for the return, downwind in 5-7 on a Friday evening is fine but not if it is still 5-7 but then on the nose to go home on Sunday, quite doable but not from choice!

The reference to the Sunseeker filmed in All At Sea shows that a large capable mobo could handle bad weather although it didn't show if it was into or downwind. What the film clearly showed was that the skipper ('Yachtmaster with 25 years experience') and his crew were very careless about stowing gear and ensuring lockers stayed closed!
 
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If it's an open water trip then the maximum forecast we would normally set out in would be a F6 - or F5-7, which is a common forecast these days. This is assuming a beam reach or wind aft of the beam. In sheltered water running downwind in a F8 under headsail usually gives a relaxing sail, while beating into a 6 in open water is generally pretty unpleasant.

- W
 
NDH said:
Well what would you be happy with.

As said too many variables and threads like this have a habit of degenerating into a p***ing contest
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I have a 24 ft yacht on the Clyde - I wouldn't plan on going out in anything over 4 or 5 (ideally 4 or below) as it can get quite scary!
Much scarier when you are the skipper and all decisions fall to you - have been crew in other peoples boats in heavy weather and thoroughly enjoyed it but there were no decisions to make on my part.
 
The tinkicker guide to safe passage.
1. Arrive at the marina and the sun is shining.

2. check the beer stores are full.

3. Lick finger and stick in air - inconclusive wind direction - looking good.

4. light a candle, does not flicker - looking good.

5. Dip big toe in water. hells bells its cold, sod it will have to stay tied up to the pontoon.

Now who's got the key to the beer locker?
 
As some have said, it depends on the wind direction. What is unpleasant on the nose is a gentle breeze when headed downwind. I guess for a faster boat the apparent wind difference is more marked.

My personal rule is max 4 ahead, 5 abeam, 7 downwind. Checking my estimates against a wind instrument (on other people's boats, we don't have one) I tend to under-estimate wind force by about 1 Beaufort point.

However, I agree with this point-
Old Troll said:
If you are at sea when the wind freshens to F6 and above so be it.
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In special circumstances one sometimes bends the 'rules'. I've put out into 45 knots but that was in the Solent in a heavy 40 footer. Not fun but safe enough.
 
Well today, Solent SW F5-6, we left the boat on its mooring. Tomorrow, W F4 we'll be out.
Generally downwind F6, upwind F5 are our max to leave home. If we're out (at anchor say) then probably F7 downwind, F6 upwind become the max for sailing. Above that we would be looking at motoring upwind or just staying put.
 
Coming from a sailer/trailer (Seawych19) which was unhappy above a F4, I thought I would get a wider 'window' of windspeeds with the new one (W21) which is happy up to F6.

However I did not factor in the dinghy trip to the swinging mooring. Tender is very wet and scary at F4 and above. So, here in darkest Essex at least, I am not restricted by boats abilities or my lack of skill but by the tender's ability to get out and back. I am sure that one day we will arrive back to mooring with increasing winds and find it dodgy or impossible to get from the mooring to the clubhouse. I wonder what my boss will make of that one?
 
Sophie19 said:
I am sure that one day we will arrive back to mooring with increasing winds and find it dodgy or impossible to get from the mooring to the clubhouse. I wonder what my boss will make of that one?
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I once left one of my crew ashore at Craighouse on Jura overnight because I near as dammit didn't make it back to the boat with the other one and the wind was freshening considerably.
 
Given the size of our boat and the ability and experience of the crew, anything above a 4 is pushing it for us.

Today would have been great for a potter, but as they were forecasting up to a 6 at times locally I decided against it. Didn't quite get up to that I think, but better safe than sorry. Better to be sorry you didn't go out than to be sorry that you did, as they say.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a different matter entirely.
 
So many variables ..... how warm is the water, wind against current?, where is a safe refuge if I run out of room to leeward?.......

One big question is "Is the harbour that I'm in going to be safe in the expected winds?" ..... if not get out. If it's a crouded harbour ..... and boats are expected to go walkabout, then being in harbour would be much more dangerous than going to sea.

However, back to the question ..... I would take 25 knots on the nose without an adverse current, and 40kts behind ...... willingly in warm water. The Catana will easily do 8 knts to windward in these conditions which means it will be very wet going at 30+ across the deck, and we wouldn't want to reduce the sails much because we'd want the power to get through the waves without pitching. If the conditions got too rough to windward, I'd just ease off onto a reach or a run ..... and reduce the apparent wind significantly

In the normal winter conditions in the English Channel, probably 20 knots on the nose and 30 behind ...... provided I had my layers of fleeces and my ocean quality foulies on, and a well found boat, which includes the Catana (but she won't be back in those waters for years ... if ever).
 
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