what would you do?

[emnick]

We recently bought our new (S/H) boat, a sound off shore cruiser to get her all set up for the big off in about two years.

On the trip back, our maiden voyage I managed to get us out in a F8 gusting 9, with no real ports of call that would be accessable. I picked up the shipping forecast on my hand held PDA but by then it was too late, we were already out there and unable to get back to our departure as this would have been dangerous.

The earlier forecast predicted F5-6 and due to work commitments I considered this OK the later forecast predicted 6-7 Gale 8 later, sea rough to very rough!! it was to me a very scary experience that I do not want to repeat, and SWMBO has made it clear that she does not trust my interpretation of any forecast. The marina office forecast was 5-6, however the boat next to us gave us a forecast of 6-7 possibly 8 from his Navtex, I may just have wanted to believe the other predictions due to work commitments etc.

How do I restore any trust she had in me? and where is a good place to learn how to further my knowledge on weather.
On the up side we now have great confidence in our new boat!! as we survived our first real gale

 

[Deleted member 478]

Threaten to trade her in for a younger & fitter model that can handle anything up to and including Fn

 

[Twister_Ken]

"It'll never be that bad again, dear."

Oh, and do a met course. It won't improve you ability very much coz even met pros screw-up, but it'll help her confidence in you.

 

[ulava]

What size is the boat ,make and model, which part of the coast, as a f 8-9 might be ok in a shelterd estuary but not at say the butt of lewis. also wind & tide direction. are all factors on deciding to go or stay

 

[sarabande]

Have you got the bits of RYA paper ? If not then you need to do some courses leading to an Ocean cert. What about getting SWMBO to do one as well so that both of you can discuss met forecasts, on the basis of joint knowledge ?

These sort of GO-NOGO decisions at sea have to be joint ones IMHO.

 

[neil_s]

A classic case of believing what you want to believe! The only solution is to come clean and then buy a Navtex set for the boat so you get the latest shipping forecast yourself!

Neil

 

[A_7]

Pieces of paper won't stop you ignoring the forecast.

 

[Swagman]

Yup - I'd echo the earlier suggestion and as part of the 'job share' on the boat - ask SWMBO to become the weather expert.
A good course and lots of books will make predictions more accurate - and when it does go wrong, your partner will realise it can only ever be a prediction and never 100%.
Good luck.
JOHN

 

[TigaWave]

Sounds a familiar story, the main thing is that you showed the boat was happy and you didn't make any dangerous decisions as a result like heading in somewhere that could have made matters worse. As others have said, if she understands why and how you made your choices it should help, so getting her to do a course will help as she'll realise from others with more experience that being out there when it gets rough can happen.
My girl friend always played a part in looking and interpreting likely weather patterns.

Forecasts in some circumstances will vary from what actually develops locally by a couple of F numbers. In circumstances where it would be likely to be uncomfortable than I would look for 2 or 3 sources of forecast and discuss the likely outcome with my girl friend. When it gets bad as long as it wasn't too evident that I was s hitting myself and made confident decisions as to what to do next....make tea..heave to or ? then even though at the time she was not a happy bunny, she agreed to cross oceans. Actually she refused to cross the Atlantic West to East unless we got extra crew so I prepared for a single handed crossing and a one way flight for her!

Good luck, I'm sure with more cruising in really good weather and the confidence you have in the boat it will get better.

 

[LadyInBed]

Send SWMBO on a met course /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[claymore]

If everyone else seems to be padlocking their boat to the pontoon and getting their respective kettles on, follow suit.

 

[jstr]

I would recommend you both going on one of Simon Keeling's weather courses. (He who posts the weekend weather here most weekends) That will help you be able to make your own forecast, and it'll show SWMBO that you're serious about getting it right in future. Plus it's a great course

What I do is compare my own to as many other forecasts as I can get hold of. If I am sailing in five days' time, I immerse myself in all the forecasts every day, so that you get a feel for the trend. (That's what Simon recommends anyway!)

Good Luck

 

[oldharry]

Firstly, a forecast 5 - 6 can very easly wind up to a f8 and catch even the pro forecasters unawares even with all their super computers, so it's not necessarily your fault. No good telling SWMBO that though.

I am fascinated by the weather anyway, so keep myself well updated on the current situations most of the time, and that seems to be the key to it.

One weather forecast, taken in isolation during an unsettled spell of weather is pretty well useless. When i am off on a longer trip, I take 3 or 4 different forecasters opinions, watch the weather charts, and form my own opinion of what is likely to happen.... and still get caught occasionally! It is surprising how much forecasts for a specific time and place can vary. It is not unusual for example to have Ceefax giving bad weather and Teletext giving a sunny day! (Ceefax seems more often right by the way). But the Internet has a range of forecasts and weather info available: try http://www.mcboz.com/weather/links.html

The bottom line is that you get as much information as you can, not just one forecast, but it wont change what the weather actually does to you /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[CliveSmith]

Enrol SWMBO onto a met course.

Then the next time it all goes pear shaped it'll be her fault. If your SWMBO is anything like mine, the subject will never be mentioned again.

My mistakes are remembered forever, hers seem to be forgotten instantly.

 

[Sans Bateau]

[ QUOTE ]
Enrol SWMBO onto a met course.

Then the next time it all goes pear shaped it'll be her fault. If your SWMBO is anything like mine, the subject will never be mentioned again.

My mistakes are remembered forever, hers seem to be forgotten instantly.

[/ QUOTE ]

I hope that this plus other similar advise is tongue in cheek.

As this advise it is ill founded. The ONLY person on the boat to make a judgement call on the weather is the skipper. If you rely on others advise (SWMBO) then you are in no better position than now.

The best advise is coming from those who suggest analysis of all available sources and get a navtex! There is nothing more reassuring when the other side of the channel than a proper shipping forecast. Having said that I have always found the Meto France forecasts posted in the Capitaires office pretty reliable.

 

[doris]

Meteo France

Seem to be better than the UK Met office but were totally wrong last Sat about Sun!!

 

[eastcoastbernie]

Re: Meteo France

From the female perspective:

If strong winds are a possibility I think you must make everyone on board aware before setting out. After all, if it all goes pear-shaped and you have a terrified, resentful, seasick crew that only adds to your problems.

Then, you should go out fully reefed unless you are confident that crew will be happy reefing when you get out there. Also you need to take account of the wind direction. Sailing downwind in a force 8 with just a little bit of headsail is something of a doddle. Upwind it's an entirely different matter.

So if you decide to go out, you need to know what you are going to do, and where you can safely head for, if conditions worsen.

Make a realistic assessment of your crew's experience and capabilities. They might love it. Conversely, they might be completely terrified. Finally, be aware that crew don't always realise what it might be like out there. Draw as accurate a picture as you possibly can and give them the option of staying put.

 

[Swagman]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Enrol SWMBO onto a met course.

Then the next time it all goes pear shaped it'll be her fault. If your SWMBO is anything like mine, the subject will never be mentioned again.

My mistakes are remembered forever, hers seem to be forgotten instantly.

[/ QUOTE ]

I hope that this plus other similar advise is tongue in cheek.

As this advise it is ill founded. The ONLY person on the boat to make a judgement call on the weather is the skipper. If you rely on others advise (SWMBO) then you are in no better position than now.

The best advise is coming from those who suggest analysis of all available sources and get a navtex! There is nothing more reassuring when the other side of the channel than a proper shipping forecast. Having said that I have always found the Meto France forecasts posted in the Capitaires office pretty reliable.

[/ QUOTE ]

My advice certainly was not tongue in cheek.
If anyone plans to sail as a couple, the jobs on board need to be shared.
IMHO a skipper knowing it all is not good enough - and if sharing this specific role additionally provides the confidence needed - it makes good sense.
JOHN

 

[CliveSmith]

[ QUOTE ]
I hope that this plus other similar advise is tongue in cheek.

[/ QUOTE ]

What do you think? Perhaps we should have a special sign so that those who appear devoid of a sense of humour don't get the wrong end of the stick.

I assume that you're single.

p.s. it's advice.

 

[LadyInBed]

"If anyone plans to sail as a couple, the jobs on board need to be shared."
How right you are.
I take all the blame,
She takes all the credit /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif