Worst condition you've been in?

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crustysailor321

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Just wondering, what is the absolute worst condition you've been in? I know with modern weather forecast, the chances of being caught in a nasty storm is thankfully rather low nowadays (unless one is being totally reckless and irresponsible). But still, I think we all know sometimes the weather out at sea can change surprisingly fast, thus the risk of encountering an abrupt change in sea condition can't be ruled out. So, what's the worst condition you've been in?
 
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crustysailor321 said:
Just wondering, what is absolute worst condition you've been in? I know with modern weather forecast, the chances of being caught in a nasty storm is thankfully rather low nowadays (unless one is being totally reckless and irresponsible). But still, I think we all know sometimes the weather out at sea can change surprisingly fast, thus the risk of encountering an abrupt change in sea condition can't be ruled out. So, what's the worst condition you've been in?
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steady 55 knots, gusting 65knots, then wind instrument head unit flew off the top of the mast... then the wind increased and was howling. On bare poles doing 6 knots. Forecast was for F7. I thought we might die... one reason I now own a motorboat
 
Force 10 in a square-rigged ship crossing Biscay.

The seas were an impressive sight, but never a worry that the ship couldn't take it. Main and fore lower topsails, fore topmast staysail, possibly the inner jib as well, I don't remember. The lower topsail sheets are made of chain, and the canvas is four times thicker than on the lighter sails, so they'll stand almost anything.

The lee side-deck was underwater much of the time, the pantry and mess-room doors to the deck are weatherproof but not fully waterproof, so there was a constant dribble in through them. At one point the bosun and the second officer waded down there to secure some of the pilot boarding gear that was in danger of being washed away - coincidentally the galley crew chose that moment to ditch a load of gash without looking (overboard disposal of non-plastics still allowed off the continental shelf at the time) so as they were up to their waists in water outside, a scuttle suddenly opened and they were pelted with old tin-cans!

Fortunately no real work was needed during the height of the gale, but as it built through F9 the deckhands (of which I was one on that trip) were called up to stow the upper topsails at 2am because it was deemed too dangerous for the voyage crew. The exhilaration you feel on getting back down on deck after stowing a topsail on your own in the dark in a force 9 Atlantic hailstorm is quite something! During the day I also went out on the bowsprit to re-lash the flying jib and outer jib which were coming loose, and managed to slice the back of my leg open on a split-pin. Fortunately the cold meant I couldn't feel it, and didn't notice until I saw the blood on the deck. I then ended up bent over the wardroom table with my trousers round my ankles, holding the first-aid box to stop it sliding away due to the 40° heel, while the captain and a member of voyage crew who happened to be a nurse debated whether I needed stitches. The captain was amused to spot me in the mess in my pants half an hour later, sewing up the rip in my trousers as I didn't deem an 8-inch slash sufficient damage to break out my only spare pair.

Pete
 
Good lord!! (prv) I'm too embarrassed now to tell of my war stories now. That's grit and adventure right there :encouragement:
 
prv said:
Force 10 in a square-rigged ship crossing Biscay.

The seas were an impressive sight, but never a worry that the ship couldn't take it. Main and fore lower topsails, fore topmast staysail, possibly the inner jib as well, I don't remember. The lower topsail sheets are made of chain, and the canvas is four times thicker than on the lighter sails, so they'll stand almost anything.

The lee side-deck was underwater much of the time, the pantry and mess-room doors to the deck are weatherproof but not fully waterproof, so there was a constant dribble in through them. At one point the bosun and the second officer waded down there to secure some of the pilot boarding gear that was in danger of being washed away - coincidentally the galley crew chose that moment to ditch a load of gash without looking (overboard disposal of non-plastics still allowed off the continental shelf at the time) so as they were up to their waists in water outside, a scuttle suddenly opened and they were pelted with old tin-cans!

Fortunately no real work was needed during the height of the gale, but as it built through F9 the deckhands (of which I was one on that trip) were called up to stow the upper topsails at 2am because it was deemed too dangerous for the voyage crew. The exhilaration you feel on getting back down on deck after stowing a topsail on your own in the dark in a force 9 Atlantic hailstorm is quite something! During the day I also went out on the bowsprit to re-lash the flying jib and outer jib which were coming loose, and managed to slice the back of my leg open on a split-pin. Fortunately the cold meant I couldn't feel it, and didn't notice until I saw the blood on the deck. I then ended up bent over the wardroom table with my trousers round my ankles, holding the first-aid box to stop it sliding away due to the 40° heel, while the captain and a member of voyage crew who happened to be a nurse debated whether I needed stitches. The captain was amused to spot me in the mess in my pants half an hour later, sewing up the rip in my trousers as I didn't deem an 8-inch slash sufficient damage to break out my only spare pair.

Pete
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Heck, rather you than me.

After your drama, mine was what should have been a standard trip from Jersey to Guernsey. Forecast F5 and dropping, but had been blowing westerly for days. Bearable along south coast of Jersey, we were straight into it, lively & slow going but had worse Poole to Needles. Turned north waiting for wind to lessen as promised but no such luck, in open water it picked up. Once the waves/swell were side on we could speed up, which was OK for a while until off north-west corner of Jersey there is a rough spot with what I remember as standing waves above the height of the boat, wind over tide I think. It was unpleasant physically and mentally, fortunately didn't last long and in the lee of Guernsey it all died down. That taught me the lesson to add 1 to the wind forecast in the CIs. Forecast CI F5 = Solent F6 etc. Also, don't set off if the trip relies on a forecast wind drop.
 
Jurgen said:
F5 off Portland Bill, ended up in the race #changemytrousers nearly put me of boating completely
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Interesting that is the same as me, in that it was 'only' an F5, but in a tricky bit of water - you don't need F9 to have a problem. Underlines the regular forum advice - it isn't the wind, it is the sea state.
 
force 9 in a 34 foot sailing boat, en route from Falmouth to Gibralter, cant remember exactly where it was, probably somewhere off Cape Trafalgar, it was interesting, boat was just being picked up by breaking waves and moved 30 feet sideways.
 
Also, don't set off if the trip relies on a forecast wind drop. - thats good advice. i got caught out with F5 dropping to F3 which turned into a wild F8 with waves over the flybridge - scared the c**p out of me when that happened.
 
BruceK said:
Good lord!! (prv) I'm too embarrassed now to tell of my war stories now. That's grit and adventure right there :encouragement:
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Errm, I was genuinely more impressed by the stories above mine! Force 11 in a 36' boat (Powerskipper) must be a very different thing to Force 10 in a 600-ton ship. I actually found it one of the most relaxing few days I ever had on those ships, as non-essential deck work was suspended and I got to just lie in my bunk and read.

We were still getting our three square meals a day through most of it, though on the roughest day in the middle the cook spilled the huge vat of soup (with much swearing) and then asked the Captain for permission to break with normal catering routine and revert to bacon sandwiches only. Sadly before that point we did also have an injury in the mess - one of the guys handing out puddings was a bit overconfident, and tried to carry two bowls of peaches and cream instead of using one hand to hold on with as advised. This in conditions where the guy washing up had thoughtfully fetched his deck harness and lashed himself to the sink! The chap with the puddings fell as the ship lurched, from the windward side of the mess down to the leeward, and bashed his head quite badly on the inside of the weathertight door. He ended up in his bunk for the next several days, and still didn't seem quite right by the time we reached the Channel and put him ashore in Cherbourg for a hospital checkup.

Damn, I've made it seem gritty and adventurous again :)

Pete
 
Full storm in the North Sea .... but that was a big ship .... crossing the NS took us 11 hours extra ...

Own boat... This was a pretty *rubbish day as I've mentioned before;

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Personally I do not think it is the wind strength only ... a F8 from shore can be pretty benign if close to shore, but a F8 with long ocean reach and flowing tide can be pretty scary ... so cannot say "what was the worst" as one needs to factor in all environmental elements from boat/ship size, direction of travel vs direction of the waves, wind direction and strength, tidal stream, direction and strength vs wind and waves .. etc...
 
Force 9 gusting 10 off Cape Finisterre. The waves were enormous but the gap between them meant we actually felt pretty safe. I woke for my watch at six, unaware of the conditions outside. I had the shock of my life as I went on deck. This was on a 44ft Jeanneau. We had to seriously reduce the sail area as we were hitting 14 knots down the waves.
 
Danfarry said:
Force 9 gusting 10 off Cape Finisterre. The waves were enormous but the gap between them meant we actually felt pretty safe. I woke for my watch at six, unaware of the conditions outside. I had the shock of my life as I went on deck. This was on a 44ft Jeanneau. We had to seriously reduce the sail area as we were hitting 14 knots down the waves.
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Oh, that reminds me, F7 crossing from CIs to Dartmouth overnight. I was first mate on 44ft saily boat. F5 forecast so I went to bed to take over for skipper at I think, midnight. Got dressed while it was a bit bumpy but surprised by the conditions on deck, reduced sail etc. Pitch dark, so waves threw boat around and you didn't see them (actually just as well I think). Gradually, with no horizon etc, got sea sick for first time and had to get skipper back up only a couple of hours later. Calm by Dartmouth, but very glad to sit under the proverbial tree. Strange how I forgot that one.
 
Went across the channel once and forgot to pack my straighteners...worst condition I've ever been in. I'll never forget them again!!
;)
 
Long booked holiday due to depart fri evening 1600 for a family holiday , a friends childs funeral sat am 5 to 6 sw wind picked up.

We left when we could at 1700 in a 48ft semi displacement probably 6 to 7 W but blowing all day and a short sea, to go from Guernsey to St Quay-Portrieux wife and daughter eyes closed on the floor, just south of Guernsey very large sea on our beam I said to son no 1 and no 2 do you reckon that wave is as high as the radar arch? Reply was yes easily, so we chose our moment and very gingerly turned 90degrees to Port ostensibly to go 9 miles to get some lee from Sark to review our destination and possibly turn back to Guernsey , boat 14 to 15 knots a very large stern sea 6 to 7 knots up hill and 24 to 25 down hill with a following sea.

Got past Sark and decided to go to Carteret surfing all the way , north of Jersey a bit of shelter and got to Carteret with waves breaking over the Visitor pontoon.

Tied up shower, Gin meal with wine and a good sleep, just good to get away.

Its not always the wind strength but how long its been blowing , from which direction, local tidal movement and depth of water. I assume in deep water a greater wind and longer wave length would have been easier.
 
Worst was going from Spain to France round Cap Bear in a F7. Very bumpy, very wet and very slow. VMG to windward under sail was about 1.5 knots and was very hard work, hand stearing all the time, luffing up on the waves, bearing away going down again all well healed over with the decks under water. Got fed up with that and decided to lower sail and use the engine. We were then making 0.5 - 0.75 knots at full power, with a hell of a racket and pitching up and down on the short chop and getting even wetter. By far the nasiest sail I have ever had. It was also raining.

However, have been the other way during a F9 and that was a superb sail. Once we managed to get out of the port. That was a real struggle with the engine at full throttle and us going backwards in the gusts. Once out and facing the right direction we were making 5 knots with no engine and no sails. We put up the storm staysail and is was like riding a magic carpet doing 9 knots. The waves looking behind were huge - but they just gently rolled under us. We did not even get the deck wet, and MIL cooked a fantastic curry as we rounded Cap Bear and the sun was shining.

Another time was on a tall ship in a F9 going from Tahiti towards Moorea directly down wind. Lower topsail a couple of fore and aft and about 8 knots and rolling like a pig putting alternate rails under water. Most of the voyage crew were sea sick. The whole boat was wet inside and out.
 
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