Worse weather you would risk on your boat

[GinjaNinja]

Based on a previous thread currently running, I thought I would ask the following.

What is the worse weather you would venture out in on your boat Max F# and wave height, and what boat is it and size.

 

[tinkicker0]

Based on a previous thread currently running, I thought I would ask the following.

What is the worse weather you would venture out in on your boat Max F# and wave height, and what boat is it and size.

A light mist and a bit of drizzle and its out with the beer time for me. In fact it does not have to be misty or drizzly.

River based binliner 1952 cuddy.

 

[dabsolute470]

dont like to go out any more than a f 4-5 decreasing.
boats ok in more but not so much fun for us unless its behind us
pearl 43 a/c

 

[CX54WEK]

Ideally we like F4 or below but we have been out in F5-6. It wasnt too bad and the boat handled it well but it was only a short passage (3 hours) quite close to the coast cruising in the compay of bigger boats with bolt holes avaliable if neccessary. We would do it again if we had to but would envisage making a habit of it.

The worst waves we have encountered were coming out of Wells in a Northerly F5-6. Not one for the faint hearted. We got a few waves that were bigger than our boat was tall. Luckily we knew it wouldnt be for long and once clear of the bar we were in calmer (but still lumpy) water. This has been the only time that I have seriously doubted the boats and our ability, i neednt have as the boat handled the conditions really well.

We have a 25ft Sealine S23.

 

[guernseyman]

I saw an acquaintance leave Diélette for St Peter Port in F8; I'm told he enjoys F10.

 

[whisper]

Based on a previous thread currently running, I thought I would ask the following.

What is the worse weather you would venture out in on your boat Max F# and wave height, and what boat is it and size.

Wind F5-6 decreasing.
But far more significant is wave height - up to 1.5-1.75m going against or 2-3m going with them. Regularly have a short play in 2-3m+ on or around Salcombe Bar.
Boat length 26ft

All the above would be for short trips only - say 15-20mls/2-3hrs.

 

[lisilou]

No more than F5 for me and thats only if I get caught out! No problem for the boat but not my idea of relaxing.
Monterey 28ft.

 

[darren_v8]

I'm probably not in the best position to say yet as I've only been out/driven a boat twice. The first time was in a F5 with F7 gusts in my friends boat (can't remember what it's called but it's about 19' long, fibreglass to look like wood, has an extrusion on the back that was supposed to aid fishermen to beach the boats to unload their catch and the boat type is named after a place) and I thought that was great fun. The only other time I've been out was in my boat and that was about a F2-3.

My boat is a 14' Driver 440.

 

[Cymrogwyllt]

Happy in an 8 with a kayak. surf time

 

[duncan]

can only answer from the past - because you only really know the answer to such questions when you try it!

Poole to Alderney in a S6 - 8 hours of hard work and boredom

Cherbourg to Poole in W6 - 4 hours staring at the radar (wipers couldn't clear it and were overheating) expecting the boat to break up any moment

25ft sportfisher as in profile/pic

 

[GinjaNinja]

It's quite interesting to see the size of the boats and the hull design and then what your prepared to risk. My questioning was around the type of weather/sea a Yacht can tolerate (in the right hands) against what a MoBo can. Would eb interesting to see the views from some of the larger boats (35+) as well.

Thanks all so far

 

[Fantasie 19]

No more than F5 for me and thats only if I get caught out! No problem for the boat but not my idea of relaxing.
Monterey 28ft.

+1 in all respects

19ft cruiser

 

[rosssavage]

F7 gusting 8, sea state rough, wind over tide out of the Thames estuary. Trying to drive from the flybridge but couldn't see or breathe for the wet stuff coming over the top. Stuck at it for about three hours, then turned tail and ran home. I didn't like it, SWMBO and the boat loved it!

P385.

 

[jrudge]

I like some others are astounded at the weather some poeple seem happy with. My Power Boat instructor did remind me that boating was a leisure activity!

We have had 2 boats. The first a Cranchi Endurance 33. You could do 38 kts in a 3, 20 kts in a 4 and we were in a 5 once which was very slow (15 kts) and very unpleasant. It was a quick hull and slammed which is not nice.

We now have a Fairline Targa 40. The boat is based in La Rochelle and heading down there last time we were in a 5 for quite some time and it handled it well and we kept up about 23 kts from memory, and it was actually quite comfortable, but I would not knowingly head out in anything more than a 5, and then I would want it decreasing.

The boat can probably take whatever, but I dont see the point in finding out!

I was in Brighton during a F7 once and a brand new Princess came in. He was probably fine at sea, but the first (perfect) along side manouvre the crew missed the ropes and the next time he had to use from what i could see was full power towards the pontoon as the lesser of evils of hitting the boat he was being blown into. So even if you are Ok at sea,not sure how you can park it!

 

[Cymrogwyllt]

As an addition to my earlier post The general rule of thumb for kayaking was F4 max for non proficiency level paddlers. (iirc good control of the boat with mostly competent support strokes and the beginnings of Eskimo rolling).

Inexperienced tend to bite off more than they can chew. There are over half a dozen times where I've found someone blindly paddle out to sea in surf unable to face the return trip. I'm glad to say that I succeded in each case in talking them back in under close escort and stroke by stroke instruction avoiding getting surfed by the surf.

Same in all boats I presume

 

[mlines]

There are so many factors. F3 in the Solent gets uncomfortable for us.

Yet this week we have happily been out in an F6 in Poole, wind direction westerly meaning that the sea state was still "slight" in the sheltered harbour and bay.

However, we have been here with an F2 Easterly which is not good in Poole.

18ft Bowrider.

We have just survived a week on the boat without sinking (bowrider), exploding (petrol) or breaking up (American GRP) which will, no doubt, astound some members of this forum.

Martin

 

[duncan]

It's quite interesting to see the size of the boats and the hull design and then what your prepared to risk. My questioning was around the type of weather/sea a Yacht can tolerate (in the right hands) against what a MoBo can. Would eb interesting to see the views from some of the larger boats (35+) as well.

Thanks all so far

If you had asked this in the first place you would have got an answer.......

1. I would take a 26ft yacht such as a Francis 26 just about anywhere on the planet, the equivalent mobo doesn't really exist but, from the perspective of minimum size, it's probably represented by the Nordhavn 47 (but I would be on the Francis in anything over a 7)

2. You should look at the lifeboat design and build criteria around the world to establish sea keeping parameters in powered craft.

Finally get yourself a copy of Motoboats in Rough Weather by Dag Pike

 

[BrendanS]

It's quite interesting to see the size of the boats and the hull design and then what your prepared to risk. My questioning was around the type of weather/sea a Yacht can tolerate (in the right hands) against what a MoBo can. Would eb interesting to see the views from some of the larger boats (35+) as well.

Thanks all so far

Even in a 21' sportsboat you can ride out just about anything the southcoast can throw at you. The rougher the conditions, the further out it's better to be (unless you are in a sheltered area). I love the rough stuff, I just need to know I have enough fuel onboard to ride it out. You only really need engine tickover speed with a big lump to maintain steerage. If I was going to do a 4 hour trip, which can extend to 8 or much more hours in less favourable conditions, I'd prefer it to be nice and flat. 4 hours would be say Solent to Salcombe.

 

[rubberduck]

41' Absolute, f5 or less to set out in, f8 max if caught out but this makes SWMBO sick so always avoided if possible.

 

[[2068]]

Sealine S28.

Preferred conditions are F4-F5 or less for an along the coast passage, but we have returned in F6 in the Solent, which is fine if surfing down the waves, but gets hairy for the open water approaching Chichester harbour.

Cross channel, F4 or less.

We did a short passage in an F7 once. It was unpleasant, slow, and wet.
Boating is supposed to be fun