Who sets out in a f5?

[Gludy]

This weekend is nice weather in my part of the world (Bristol Channel) except for winds forecast of up to 8 or 9.

I have been in a few force 5's to date but do not normally venture out if a f5 is forecast. The reason is that even a fraction of one percent error in predicting the Azores high can make a predicted f5 a 6 or a 7.

So how many of you set out knowingly into a f5?

How many of you have experienced a f8 or higher?

Whats it like? What size boat did you have?


Paul

 

[adarcy]

Re: f 5-6

Yes came back from Torquay to Hamble in a good 5 to 6 in a Princess45.
Wind with tide and lovely and sunny, great ride surfing all the way, quick too but would NOT have gone the other way into it.
SWMBO went below for a snooze (good for her sea-sickness tendency) and woke up to see tall green waves to above her head on all sides! Actually had to surf more or less in line with the wind and we were 1 mile north of where we wanted to be at Portland Bill. Interesting 5 miins great again afterwards.
However, the crew do not like 4's nowadays, I wonder why?

 

[petem]

f8

Crossed the Bay of Biscay in a F8 (on board Oriana). Awesome waves, probably about 50 foot high. (And yes, I was seasick, despite the stabilizers.)

The following morning the captain apologised for the 'frolicksome seas and the couple of pot holes we ran over'. What's amazing is that these ships will sail in ANY weather.

 

[hlb]

Came back to Plymouth last week. Forcast said F4 to F5 6 0r seven!! Why they could not have said. "We dont know". I dont know. Well it was from the NW. So I thought it should not be to bad, exept Start Point to Plymouth might be a bit lumpy. So as figgered. Torquay to Darmouth nice and flatish. Start Point not to bad. Then it started. We were up the fly bridge. Wind was howling. Just like in the film " The Cruel Sea" Even had the same bloke chucking the bucket of water over us I think. The wind was blowing exactly from Plymouth 20 miles away. I've never heard it whistle and howle like that before and Ive been in plenty of F6 or F7's. It sounded like a bloody ten. Muchy Farter huffed and puffed a bit. Then had one of her tantrums. So I slowed down to 9 knots for a while. This seemed to pasiffie?? her, so then sneeked back up to fifteen for a few miles, then back up to warp speed near Plymouth.

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[Guest]

We left stpeterport last summer in a forcasted 3/4 to cross the channel, by the time we were 3 miles off the casquets lighthouse it was 6 and gusting the waves were higher than the flybrige big holes everywhere, no crossing made for cherbourg wind behind us and surfing all the way when we could, the tide was slack so not too bad, I also learnt to keep the trim tabs UP!, would not want to do it again on the wrong side of the channel, ok near home and solent etc not far from shelter., stay at home I think.
paul js.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

It really depends on whether its a following or head sea, wind over or against tide and whether you have other ports of refuge. Personally, my limits for crossing the Channel are F5-6 in a following sea, F3-4 in a head sea but I would certainly try to time my trip for wind over tide. In sheltered water ie Solent with plenty of boltholes, I would go out in a F6-7 in any direction but only if I had to

 

[tcm]

I always enjoy gludy's posts. New to boating from Swansea, he's considering all sorts of craft for his next bboat, probly including a submarine, cos he turns the corner from the nice marina and wham! - straight into the western approaches, no solent, no shelter from IOW or anything. Hence a f5 is a bit of a blimmin kicker.

Whereas for northern poofs like me (who have sneaked off to the med) a F8-9 is easy peasy. But only if the wind comes over the hills, and even then i go inthe next door marina, put all the fenders on one side, forget the useless bowthruster and also who cares about ropes, cos the boat stays pressed against the side all day.

But in a powerrboat, fact is imho, f3 or under is nice, f2 or less is glorious, f5 (it's never 5, it's always 5/6 innit?) and there's a Good Reason to go now. Oh, and the f8 was only on thye nose out of the marina, otherwise with us all the way, the sea was flat, and i could light matches on deck at 34 knots.

 

[Gludy]

Yep, I have not escaped yet to the Med, although my two sons are there now doing thier ICC and taking a 37ft Sealine out for a holiday. They say, each day is glorious, tidal range - what's that? (I have 40 foot), currents - what currents etc.
Seems a very nice way to get your ICC. In fairness they do have to learn about nasty two high tide solent tides etc.

I am still learning a lot on each trip, even though you may know the theory - the practice drums it into my thick brain, like don't run with the tide and wind with your tabs down.

Also having lots of things happen, like how to scare very boat inb the lock as you try to manouvre on one engine because the other one went down.

Also learning about weather forecasts. Last weekend did not go out because of up to f9 forecast but drove by car and looked to observe nice sunny weather and no more than a f2.

Next month is the anniversary of my boating debut and despite an extra year's no claims doscount, my insurance premium has gone up!

During theyear, I have learnt a lot with my pilgrims progress, had lots of mishaps and adventures .... I live and breath boating .. the other half reckons I am obsessed!

I suppose the pinnacle of my practical expertise was shown a few weeks ago when I was following a friends boat to Milford Haven when he took us through a huge sea of St Gowans head, that even shocked him. I had plotted a course to clear these overfalls but felt obloged to follow him into what turned out to be a big shock for him. The practicla experience showed itself up as we met a totally disrupted set of mountain peaks of water because I let the other half helm. She made it through fine and not once was I blamed for the seas! As a beginner I would have helmed and hence incurred a host of extra hassle as I fought through it .... its funny but when folks are in control, they are less scared.

I also, looking back chose the right boat for me, fairly big to begin with with an loa of 39ft 11 inches but on balance the right boat for me to start with. I have also had her licked into shape and she is now running OK in every respect....i hope!

I hope that sometime next year I will be able to progress to my dream boat .. it will have to be a boat that laughs at those prevailing f5's I hit as I turn out of the marina. The current boat handles f5's well, even into wind but I want even better.

I use the forum to learn .... and enjoy the heated debates because out of those I always gain the most knowledge.

The Southampton show last year was my first boat show, it will be different for me this year because, I know tons more than I did then and will be able to get more out of it.








Paul

 

[DepSol]

Went out in F5 from Alderney last Friday week which turned into a F6 cyclonic winds waves up to 3m approx. had to tack all the way to the casquets then back across the orth of Guernsey behind Herm and just made it in behind the back of Herm and between Jethou all the time doing between 14 and 27 knots and then in to St Peter Port with all on board soaked to the skin. Took 1.75 hours whereas it normally takes us 45 mins in good weather. Did the whole voyage on sight not using GPS or charts all from memory although scariest bit was coming between the humps trying to get shelter from Herm. Best bit overtaking a raggie in the lea of Herm at 25 knts they were all shocked to see us out there as apart from the Herm Ferry we were the only ones out there. They all stood on deck watching us blast by with there chins on the floor ;-) Only bad trip of the holiday.

Dom

I am boating again ;-)

 

[mustard]

Interested in your post, Gludy, not because of the F5, haven't got to F3 yet, but because you have begun and going on - you say a 39 foot boat was ideal for starting before going up in size. Was out this weekend in Plymouth Sound on a Princess 50 with SHMBO, boat seemed very easy to handle, and it gave her a sense of security; wondered if the general advice is too take a plunge with a bigger boat from the start or do as you have done, which does seem a lot less daunting seeing the size of the two together (P38 v P50). What do you think, on reflection?

Probably a question been asked 100 times before.....

 

[Gludy]

If I knew that I was going to like boating as much as I do and if I had the resources, I would have gone straight to my final size, so 50 foot would not worry me. In fact I would rather have a 50 footer with a bow thruster than mine without.

I now know I like boating.
I know my other half likes it - she wants to go bigger.

I did not know even this when I bought the boat.

I have also progressed through a series of natural and unnatural disasters, all of which I have learnt from. So whilst I cannot claim to be experienced, for I am not, I am an experienced beginner!!!

Before I seal any deal on a new boat, I will be sucking the advice up from forum members but in the end will reject or accept that advice and it will be my own decision.

The other half also has firm views on many aspects and so it will be a joint decision. For example, she is super keen on interior wooden floors in place of carpet..... the idea came from this forum.

Above all the other half wants:-
Really good seas keeping - for safety and a nice ride.
Easy engine/equipment access, which leads to better maintainance and hence less hassle more safety.
More room and lots of it.
A faster boat.
Only then do a whole list of other things like full length wardrobes come into play with her, so you can see that there will not be much disagreement!





Paul

 

[mustard]

Thanks for the reply, like you probably did, I am hanging on to the old salts' every words in this forum, past & present. But what is your target size, given that you may well be able to afford a Leopard 23 like whats-his-tag? I want TOH to feel safe and happy, so size (as always) seems to be the answer. Have a view to being in the Med, or NZ, in a year or two, so that colours the type of boat i.e flybridge/cruiser, a little...

The room on a boat appears to increase exponentially to length. I have often wondered why 1 metre or two more in length costs so much more and now I know - amazed how roomy a 60 footer is, but budget precludes this much of an entry-level, perhaps OK for a good s/h 50. The bow thruster on this P50 was amazingly good, first thing I noticed, but also impressed by sensitive electronic controls, quietness, washing machine, access to engine and filters etc, and the general quality. This all impressed SHMBO so no reason to plug Princess except they are local - had been a later-model Sealine fan till then. Your wife's idea of wooden floors sounds good, too, given that its common in NZ and increasingly the Med.

By the way, in South Africa I sat 30 metres from a very rocky shore in a Force 7 in 5 metre seas on a 2.2 metre long surfboard - that might get me a few kudos here on this thread if I pretended it was a boat...

 

[Gludy]

My target size is 55 to 60 foot.
Still keen on the Cara Marine 60 foot jet driven boat. That would be a new one.
I reckon just the other half and myself could manage this boat alone.
Paul

Paul

 

[mustard]

Jet boats, hmmm... A kiwi invention, small ones go like hell and turn on a sixpence. Be a lot of fun in 60' of boat....

 

[mustard]

....and have just read the previous thread on props v jets etc from June. Fascinating reading, Paul, has it changed your mind? i.e. Is the Azimut 55 in contention, or would you like to follow your instincts, with which I have a great deal of empathy knowing small jet boats? Its a very moot point, jets on larger boats, but where do I read about the Cara Marine? What do you think of Sealines attempt at three different configerrations on their C39 - which could lead to other options on bigger boats.

Don't wan't to raise the whole issue again, just curious...

 

[Gludy]

If anything the big threads and there were three of them, makde me more solid in my thoughts about the Cara Marine boat.

I value the sea-keeping qualities - the ability to dry out - the amazing ability to manoure in the marina - the economy at a cruising speed - the easy access to all equipment etc.

The azimut looks nice but it is not really a rough seas boat so that has left the list of option.

Cara marine have a web site but its not much cop and the boat details on it are well out of date. The boat is on the water at the Southampton boat show. I will be going on it there to check it out.

Its nice to see Sealine offering surface prop options. I think there is a lot of interia in the boat manufacturing world and as long as they can get away with the way they continue to treat customers, the longer they can carry on in the rut they are in.

Storbro also offer a jet version of one of their bigger boats but it is basically an option and the whole boat has not been designed for it.

I am aware that being a new boat the depreciation might be a problem - I want to make this my last boat and want to spend years using it, so if I decide to buy one, it will be with the full knowledge of the risks I am taking. I believe that maintaiance costs on it will be low and the guarantee periods are very long - they also use two cat 700 hp - I get away from Volvo, who I have taken a distinct dislike to.




Paul

 

[Guest]

Re: Mustard

I have the Cara marine boat spec details which I could email PM if you wish a copy. CGN

"The Med is calling me"

 

[Gludy]

Re: Mustard

Thanks but I have all the details and have spent hours researching it including speaking to those who designed it, those who developed the jets etc.

Just need to see it in the flesh now.


Paul

 

[Guest]

Re: gludy

yer I know you have the post was for Mustard

"The Med is calling me"

 

[mustard]

Re: gludy

Thank you kindly cneighbour......