I've got plans to take my "new" hunter 23 out this sunday, she's moored in the Elk River. well, I take a look at the forecast and - 25 knots! Now, I'm not the most experienced sailor out there, and I know enough to be wary of winds like that - however, I'm not sure if I want to give up one of what could be the last days out. How best to handle this sort of thing as a novice?
25 knots!
- Thread starter Brian M H23
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Discretion is the better part of valor!
25 kts is pushing it for a 23, especially if you are a novice. If you have two reefs in your main and tiny stay sail/jib, well, maybe. If you have the standard single reef main and 105% jib, no way. And... if you had to ask, you already knew the answer. ;D
25 kts is pushing it for a 23, especially if you are a novice. If you have two reefs in your main and tiny stay sail/jib, well, maybe. If you have the standard single reef main and 105% jib, no way. And... if you had to ask, you already knew the answer. ;D
how many people will you have with you?
Hello, The forecast is for a lot of wind. Should you go out? I don't know. How many people will be on the boat with you? If you have a few people, and they are either experienced sailors, or don't get scared easily, that would be a big help. Also, how will the waves be? IMHO, waves are worse than just wind. I would rather have 25 kt winds and small waves than 15 kt wind and 5' chop. I sail on the Long Island Sound, and if you get a stiff westerly wind against an incoming tide, the waves become nasty. When the tide turns around, the waves die down and sailing is fun. Also, as previously mentioned, what is your sail plan? If you have a 100% jib and a main with a big reef (or two reefs) that would be better than if you have an old 150% genoa on roller furler. Lastly, how is your motor? Will you be able to motor into that wind and seas? If not, then I don't think going out would be a good idea. Good luck and let us know what happens. The forecast here is for lots of rain and winds gusting up to 50 kts. I am staying home!!! Barry
Hello, The forecast is for a lot of wind. Should you go out? I don't know. How many people will be on the boat with you? If you have a few people, and they are either experienced sailors, or don't get scared easily, that would be a big help. Also, how will the waves be? IMHO, waves are worse than just wind. I would rather have 25 kt winds and small waves than 15 kt wind and 5' chop. I sail on the Long Island Sound, and if you get a stiff westerly wind against an incoming tide, the waves become nasty. When the tide turns around, the waves die down and sailing is fun. Also, as previously mentioned, what is your sail plan? If you have a 100% jib and a main with a big reef (or two reefs) that would be better than if you have an old 150% genoa on roller furler. Lastly, how is your motor? Will you be able to motor into that wind and seas? If not, then I don't think going out would be a good idea. Good luck and let us know what happens. The forecast here is for lots of rain and winds gusting up to 50 kts. I am staying home!!! Barry
info
Ive got 2 points on the main, and a 130% roller genoa. Motor-wise, it's a 10hp merc, I actually brought it home with me last time to replace the impeller (which is completed) I think the area i'm most worried about is entering/leaving the slip - the river is shallow enough that in most places i can drop my swing keel as a second anchor (but hey, good deal on the slip!) I think i'll go down saturday night, sleep on the boat, and see how things work in the morning when my two friends show up (one of which is a sailor)
Ive got 2 points on the main, and a 130% roller genoa. Motor-wise, it's a 10hp merc, I actually brought it home with me last time to replace the impeller (which is completed) I think the area i'm most worried about is entering/leaving the slip - the river is shallow enough that in most places i can drop my swing keel as a second anchor (but hey, good deal on the slip!) I think i'll go down saturday night, sleep on the boat, and see how things work in the morning when my two friends show up (one of which is a sailor)
Don't take your S.O.
If you do dicide to risk it don't take you girlfriend or wife and certainly not both! 'Cause if it blows 25 you'll NEVER get them on the boat again (Unless they know how to sail and maybe they'll help. But if they are novices you'll not see them again.) I don't know anything about the ELK river. I learned to sail 13 years ago on the Tennessee River. I've sailed once in Florida, other than that I'm still on the river. If the Elk is like the Tennessee it will be blowing 25 out of atleast 30 or 45 degress on the compass at any time as it bounces off the banks and is momentarily blocked by trees, ridges etc. That always keeps it interesting. Are your sails in good condition, this will be a good chance to test all the seams, the weak spots will be identified pretty readily. How about your rigging? I was out last Sunday in 16 -20 and a 27 footer's mast broke in half as he crossed the finish line. I'm sure it was due in part to some prior weakness in the mast but the wind constantly shifting from WNW to S didn't help. Mike
If you do dicide to risk it don't take you girlfriend or wife and certainly not both! 'Cause if it blows 25 you'll NEVER get them on the boat again (Unless they know how to sail and maybe they'll help. But if they are novices you'll not see them again.) I don't know anything about the ELK river. I learned to sail 13 years ago on the Tennessee River. I've sailed once in Florida, other than that I'm still on the river. If the Elk is like the Tennessee it will be blowing 25 out of atleast 30 or 45 degress on the compass at any time as it bounces off the banks and is momentarily blocked by trees, ridges etc. That always keeps it interesting. Are your sails in good condition, this will be a good chance to test all the seams, the weak spots will be identified pretty readily. How about your rigging? I was out last Sunday in 16 -20 and a 27 footer's mast broke in half as he crossed the finish line. I'm sure it was due in part to some prior weakness in the mast but the wind constantly shifting from WNW to S didn't help. Mike
I wouldn't
I had a 21' and the highest winds I took it out in was 18 in a river and it was a fight the whole time. Didn't help that I was single-handling either. That was in the ST. Johns river but I was on the lee shore so waves weren't a problem. 25 knots with just your main up, you should be able to handle with help. The problem is, the weather man many times is off by 10 knots, so that 25 can turn into 35 and that's when you'd be thinking about how nice it would be to be watching the Broncos #1 defense play the Colt's offense
We are going to be having awesome weather but I guess you know what I'll be doing.
I had a 21' and the highest winds I took it out in was 18 in a river and it was a fight the whole time. Didn't help that I was single-handling either. That was in the ST. Johns river but I was on the lee shore so waves weren't a problem. 25 knots with just your main up, you should be able to handle with help. The problem is, the weather man many times is off by 10 knots, so that 25 can turn into 35 and that's when you'd be thinking about how nice it would be to be watching the Broncos #1 defense play the Colt's offense
We are going to be having awesome weather but I guess you know what I'll be doing.
weather
Also, remember that the forecast is for the base wind, gusts can be a lot higher. And the wind that counts for your boat is not the wind over ground, its apparent wind. I think a lot of people get in trouble when they are sailing downwind in manageable conditions, without realizing that the return trip will be in much less manageable wind because they are on a beat and not a run. To me another big factor would be that it a new boat to you, and that means you are less familiar with every detail and there may be weaknesses in the equipment that you have not seen. I know the forecast for Long Island has me staying home disappointed this weekend.
Also, remember that the forecast is for the base wind, gusts can be a lot higher. And the wind that counts for your boat is not the wind over ground, its apparent wind. I think a lot of people get in trouble when they are sailing downwind in manageable conditions, without realizing that the return trip will be in much less manageable wind because they are on a beat and not a run. To me another big factor would be that it a new boat to you, and that means you are less familiar with every detail and there may be weaknesses in the equipment that you have not seen. I know the forecast for Long Island has me staying home disappointed this weekend.
Stay in port!
Do yourself a favor and stay in port. They're predicting 20-25 with gusts to 40+. There comes a point where sailing stops being fun and begins to be hard work. With a 23' boat the conditions will definately test your skills. Build up to those conditions gradually vs all at once. Also consider what it will take to get out and back into your slip or back onto the mooring if that's the case. In those conditions it wont take much to be pushed around while manuevering. Trying to catch a mooring ball while she pitches around wont be easy either. Good luck with your decision.
Do yourself a favor and stay in port. They're predicting 20-25 with gusts to 40+. There comes a point where sailing stops being fun and begins to be hard work. With a 23' boat the conditions will definately test your skills. Build up to those conditions gradually vs all at once. Also consider what it will take to get out and back into your slip or back onto the mooring if that's the case. In those conditions it wont take much to be pushed around while manuevering. Trying to catch a mooring ball while she pitches around wont be easy either. Good luck with your decision.
It's been blowing hard all week ...
well maybe not today. The forcast for Sunday is still a long way off! There is no point in giving up now. After tomorrow, it will be about time it's all blown out. Even my wife is saying we have to sail on Sunday!
well maybe not today. The forcast for Sunday is still a long way off! There is no point in giving up now. After tomorrow, it will be about time it's all blown out. Even my wife is saying we have to sail on Sunday!
I'm going out!!!
I'm sailing over to Reed Cr. in the Chester river. Understand I have a 37 legend and have sailed in 40 kt winds so this is just a fair breeze. My experience is to listen to the weatherman but go down to the dock before you make your final decision. They where forcasting 5 kt west winds on Monday and now the winds (25+) will be happening on Sat afternoon. You just have to go out and see. Most of the time they are wrong as they tend to forcast worst case scenarios. I expect to see 25 kt gusts on Saturday afternoon and maybe a 30 kt gust Saturday night. Reef down and start out slow. One man's gale is another's fresh breeze. Once you have been in a 40 kt blow, 30 seems tame. Here is your chance to open up the envelope on your experience. Think of all the times you didn't go sailing because the winds where to strong.
I'm sailing over to Reed Cr. in the Chester river. Understand I have a 37 legend and have sailed in 40 kt winds so this is just a fair breeze. My experience is to listen to the weatherman but go down to the dock before you make your final decision. They where forcasting 5 kt west winds on Monday and now the winds (25+) will be happening on Sat afternoon. You just have to go out and see. Most of the time they are wrong as they tend to forcast worst case scenarios. I expect to see 25 kt gusts on Saturday afternoon and maybe a 30 kt gust Saturday night. Reef down and start out slow. One man's gale is another's fresh breeze. Once you have been in a 40 kt blow, 30 seems tame. Here is your chance to open up the envelope on your experience. Think of all the times you didn't go sailing because the winds where to strong.
I think I'd sit tight in a 23
CHESAPEAKE BAY NORTH OF POOLES ISLAND- CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM POOLES ISLAND TO SANDY POINT- CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM SANDY POINT TO NORTH BEACH- 347 PM EDT FRI OCT 27 2006 SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT TONIGHT SE WINDS 10 TO 15 KT. WAVES 1 FT. RAIN THIS EVENING... THEN RAIN WITH ISOLATED TSTMS AFTER MIDNIGHT. SAT S WINDS 20 KT...SHIFTING TO THE W WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WAVES 2 FT. SHOWERS LIKELY IN THE MORNING. SAT NIGHT W WINDS 30 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 KT. WAVES 3 TO 4 FT. SUN W WINDS 25 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 KT. WAVES 2 TO 3 FT.
CHESAPEAKE BAY NORTH OF POOLES ISLAND- CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM POOLES ISLAND TO SANDY POINT- CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM SANDY POINT TO NORTH BEACH- 347 PM EDT FRI OCT 27 2006 SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT TONIGHT SE WINDS 10 TO 15 KT. WAVES 1 FT. RAIN THIS EVENING... THEN RAIN WITH ISOLATED TSTMS AFTER MIDNIGHT. SAT S WINDS 20 KT...SHIFTING TO THE W WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WAVES 2 FT. SHOWERS LIKELY IN THE MORNING. SAT NIGHT W WINDS 30 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 KT. WAVES 3 TO 4 FT. SUN W WINDS 25 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 KT. WAVES 2 TO 3 FT.
The Plan
I think i'm going to sleep on it saturday night (or attempt to) If I wake up and it's still scary, I'll go home
I think i'm going to sleep on it saturday night (or attempt to) If I wake up and it's still scary, I'll go home
25 knots and better
So you brought the outboard home and now you are going to go down and put it on at tyhe slip, well do not let it slip out of your hands as you attempt to reinstall on the bracket as the boat pitches from the slop. Please let us know whether you go out or not . I have a 26 and w/out experienced crew I would not go in these conditions at least these forecast conditions.
So you brought the outboard home and now you are going to go down and put it on at tyhe slip, well do not let it slip out of your hands as you attempt to reinstall on the bracket as the boat pitches from the slop. Please let us know whether you go out or not . I have a 26 and w/out experienced crew I would not go in these conditions at least these forecast conditions.
crazy
25 knots is a little crazy if you ask me even with reefs and working jib. Maybe if you had to with reefed main and storm jib but only if yo had to. When it gets over 15knts its rough in my 23 even with reefs or just 1 sail up!
25 knots is a little crazy if you ask me even with reefs and working jib. Maybe if you had to with reefed main and storm jib but only if yo had to. When it gets over 15knts its rough in my 23 even with reefs or just 1 sail up!
Brian, If you have never been in that kind of wind
Just go motoring. Get the feel for that much wind. If your confident, put alittle sail up. I sleep the best on the boat when the weather has a bit of bite to it. Just enjoy your time. r.w.landau
Just go motoring. Get the feel for that much wind. If your confident, put alittle sail up. I sleep the best on the boat when the weather has a bit of bite to it. Just enjoy your time. r.w.landau
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