BrendanS
Well-Known Member
We did a short passage in an F7 once. It was unpleasant, slow, and wet.
Boating is supposed to be fun
No no, that's the fun bit!
Worse weather you would risk on your boat
- Thread starter GinjaNinja
- Start date
No no, that's the fun bit!
[2068]
...
Umm, maybe if I had been on my own, that might have helped, but as it was, down to 10kts, green water over the windscreen, rain going sideways, and some not particularly large but very steep waves, crashing noises from where the shopping had been stowed, an unhappy small child = not the best day out.
Horses for courses: the same conditions would probably been fun in a big RIB or an offshore lifeboat.
Horses for courses: the same conditions would probably been fun in a big RIB or an offshore lifeboat.
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
passengers on the boat make a huge difference to enjoyment.
I'd never take anyone out when I was having fun, or I would have no fun at all worrying about how they were coping.
I'd never take anyone out when I was having fun, or I would have no fun at all worrying about how they were coping.
hlb
RIP
Once got chased into Plymouth with a F10 behind me. 120 MPH winds, within half an hour of berthing. That was close.
Long as it's not on the nose, she handles most stuff well at 20 K.
All seas are different, many big seas are a joy, some you have to take with caution.
Doing fairly long distances, you have to accept, the weather might change, no matter the forcast.
Once set off for Padstow from Milford at 4PM, with a F4 forcast. It became strong winds half way across. So had to do another 90 miles to Swansea.
Still got there before the pub closed.
But going out in bad weather is not good, colateral damage is the problem.
You can live with one system knocked out, but once it gets two or three yer knackered.
Going back to the other thread. Dont think there are many 20Ft boats with at least three options, when faced with a problem.
Long as it's not on the nose, she handles most stuff well at 20 K.
All seas are different, many big seas are a joy, some you have to take with caution.
Doing fairly long distances, you have to accept, the weather might change, no matter the forcast.
Once set off for Padstow from Milford at 4PM, with a F4 forcast. It became strong winds half way across. So had to do another 90 miles to Swansea.
Still got there before the pub closed.
But going out in bad weather is not good, colateral damage is the problem.
You can live with one system knocked out, but once it gets two or three yer knackered.
Going back to the other thread. Dont think there are many 20Ft boats with at least three options, when faced with a problem.
GinjaNinja
Active Member
Have read the work by Dag and found it quite interesting. I am trying to understand what limits the modern day Fibreglass boat has in comparison to a yacht, which seems to handle most what nature throws
The interceptors are by far the best here, however, do not look and feel anything like a Fairline..
This is all about understanding what people have been in with the relevant boat,.. I have a SWMBO that needs converting ;-)
grumpy_o_g
Well-Known Member
Based on a limited experience of motorboats I'd say you need a level of skill to handle a motor-boat in rough conditions (I mean really nasty, not just 6' waves or a confused sea) that's often not achieved simply because the mobo never goes out in those conditions and doesn't want to. A friend of mine (about as far from hooligan as you can get) has a 25' Sea-Ray and jet-ski. He'll take the jet-ski out in any sea state - his limit is the fact that, if he comes off, the ski will blow away from him faster than he can get to it in high winds. He won't take the boat out unless the weather is near perfect though.
The average yachtie who sails reasonably regularly will find themselves in some pretty nasty conditions sooner or later whether they like or not so they'll learn or Darwin will win again. Sailing boats have an ability to just lay a-hull, run under bare poles, etc. that most mobo's lack but it's bloody uncomfortable - I used to regularly go out in a F6 or 7 and got caught in 8 and 9's and some very nasty seas quite a few times. Its not too bad when you're sailing, almost regardless of the boat size - as soon as you have to wait or hold for any reason though (rather than sail the "most comfortable" heading) it's like being in the proverbial washing machine. I would feel safe in a Frances 26 in just about any conditions as long as I was in open seas. Being driven on to a lee-shore in a force 8 I'd much rather be in 25' Seaward or similar with a couple of nice big engines frankly.
Having seen a couple of experts handling small mobo's in very rough conditions it seems to me the only difference ultimately is the tendency of some planing hulls to slam no matter what you do - in terms of actual sea-worthiness as opposed to comfort I don't think there's a lot of difference between the two as long as both are in the hands of competent helmsmen/women and can keep moving.
The average yachtie who sails reasonably regularly will find themselves in some pretty nasty conditions sooner or later whether they like or not so they'll learn or Darwin will win again. Sailing boats have an ability to just lay a-hull, run under bare poles, etc. that most mobo's lack but it's bloody uncomfortable - I used to regularly go out in a F6 or 7 and got caught in 8 and 9's and some very nasty seas quite a few times. Its not too bad when you're sailing, almost regardless of the boat size - as soon as you have to wait or hold for any reason though (rather than sail the "most comfortable" heading) it's like being in the proverbial washing machine. I would feel safe in a Frances 26 in just about any conditions as long as I was in open seas. Being driven on to a lee-shore in a force 8 I'd much rather be in 25' Seaward or similar with a couple of nice big engines frankly.
Having seen a couple of experts handling small mobo's in very rough conditions it seems to me the only difference ultimately is the tendency of some planing hulls to slam no matter what you do - in terms of actual sea-worthiness as opposed to comfort I don't think there's a lot of difference between the two as long as both are in the hands of competent helmsmen/women and can keep moving.
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
If the boat is small, say 17' or less, it may slam even at tick over speed. Even at 21', no mobo should slam at tick over speed.
I'm talking extreme conditions.
oldgit
Well-Known Member
37ft. F1 moderating.
JohnRob
Well-Known Member
So much depends on wind direction, whether wind over tide, local conditions (westerlies pile up as the sea shallows on the west contentin peninsula). Wind speeds quoted are average, but if its W 4 with gusts of 30 knots, then that's a lot different to a steady NE 13 knots. Here the fetch in a NE is much less than a W. For family boating, probably won't go if the forecast is showing any 5... and certainly not if any distance. But if I need to get back and its a 5 on the stern then can probably convince crew it will be lively but fun!
chi-girl
Well-Known Member
ive always wanted to go out in a big storm with huge waves on a very capable boat.
great fun
great fun
[2068]
...
Yes, "very capable" being a Severn class lifeboat, a Type 45 Destroyer, or the QM II.
NoviceRod
Well-Known Member
Generally not more than F4 for my 7m Merry Fisher, but depends on direction. For Torbay and surrounds, might stretch to F5 if NW but less than F3 for anything in the Easterly sector.
Although the boat will handle it, there is no pleasure in slamming around, and the wipers do not stand up to waves!
Although the boat will handle it, there is no pleasure in slamming around, and the wipers do not stand up to waves!
Ripster
Well-Known Member
4-6 is OK but depends on where we are going and the wind direction. In Torbay 5-6 Easterly is very unpleasant - not dangerous or impossble, just lumpy. But NWly is OK. Its only the marina mooring bit that puts us off when it gets windy.
nrbx
Well-Known Member
Went out in a F7 increasing to F8 on trip from Portsmouth to York.
Was interesting, boat clearly loved it and wanted more.
Humans all looked worried and wanted to go home
so Given a choice i'd probably not go out in more than F7 again if i were going with the wind, less against it!
Squadron 52
Was interesting, boat clearly loved it and wanted more.
Humans all looked worried and wanted to go home
so Given a choice i'd probably not go out in more than F7 again if i were going with the wind, less against it!
Squadron 52
oGaryo
Well-Known Member
Rinker 250 FV on the nose in whatever it was during the round the island race weekend.. F7 gusts I think with choppy confused seas couple of metres high... wouldn't fancy going out in anything more but will probably end up doing so
..
these ladies will though, nutters the both of 'em
arriving at Cowes on RIR day
.. these ladies will though, nutters the both of 'em
arriving at Cowes on RIR day
Divemaster1
Well-Known Member
Everything is relevant ...
you really have to define your cruising ground in relation to the conditions...
Solent is very different to exposed West or East coast.... and a F7/8 in relatively sheltered areas (such as Hamble to Cowes) varies enormously with wind directions.
I would not hesitate to take our MOBO (45 ft with 1.6 M Draught) out in a F8 and staying within 3-4 NM from shore when wind is from the shore... but turn the wind around 90 degrees and the picture becomes very different...
The images below is at about F7/8 from NE in a harbour exposed to Northerlies ... the one which shows the bow of our boat is taken from within the marina. The marina is inside the main harbour, which have it's own breakwater... so that is the waves inside the commercial part of the harbour !!
The next one is taken outside the main harbour wall.... and for the record, I would not want to venture out there..... but believe that the boat would handle it better than I would...
you really have to define your cruising ground in relation to the conditions...
Solent is very different to exposed West or East coast.... and a F7/8 in relatively sheltered areas (such as Hamble to Cowes) varies enormously with wind directions.
I would not hesitate to take our MOBO (45 ft with 1.6 M Draught) out in a F8 and staying within 3-4 NM from shore when wind is from the shore... but turn the wind around 90 degrees and the picture becomes very different...
The images below is at about F7/8 from NE in a harbour exposed to Northerlies ... the one which shows the bow of our boat is taken from within the marina. The marina is inside the main harbour, which have it's own breakwater... so that is the waves inside the commercial part of the harbour !!
The next one is taken outside the main harbour wall.... and for the record, I would not want to venture out there..... but believe that the boat would handle it better than I would...
Bajansailor
Well-Known Member
Many moons ago when I was working at the RNLI HQ in Poole, we went out on sea trials on the prototype Severn (called FAB 3, as in Fast Afloat Boat) one day when it was really blowing a hooley outside.
The trials Cox'n Harry was (I think) given a brief from the Ops folk to try and break it...... he tried very hard but failed miserably.
And this was going at full chat (25 knots) into a South-westerly F 7 (gusting more) and impressive seas - we all had seat belts on in the wheelhouse, otherwise we would have been hitting the roof with the G forces being experienced.
maybh1
Well-Known Member
I like to see nothing more that a force 4 when venturing out in our Trader 44 but then I am getting on a bit, as is the boat and we do this for fun
We are told that the boat can take it up to a point (Cat A) but why put yourself through it?
Having once been caught out in unexpected 80 knot gusts in the Solent (the Coastguard broadcast the warning just as the gusts hit us
) It is not an experience I would wish to repeat.
May
xx
We are told that the boat can take it up to a point (Cat A) but why put yourself through it?
Having once been caught out in unexpected 80 knot gusts in the Solent (the Coastguard broadcast the warning just as the gusts hit us
) It is not an experience I would wish to repeat.May
xx
MapisM
Well-Known Member
What do you mean by "not hesitate", if you were the only boat around with a chance to save some souls who sent a mayday?
Because other than that - and even if I would be confident that also my slightly bigger boat could handle that safely - I'd rather not hesitate to have another round of beers...
If as I understand the OP question is meant as "just for pleasure", I see no point in going out with anything more than 1m waves or so.
Of course I've been catched in much bigger seas occasionally, but never because I purposedly went out aiming at tsunami surfing - how stupid is that, unless you have to for some reason?
Csail
N/A
Before we had kids f8 was about max with about 2m waves breaking....not doing it anymore, not nice.
