Hey guys: just a question-how many of you ever take your sailboats out on lake ontario with a full blown north eastrly wind-whitecaps big wave crashing over the peirs-that type of weather-do alot of sailors go out in that-do anyone go in it-is it certain boats that can handle it-im a new sailor nut seasoned fish'pleasure boater and on my glass boat that were bought for the derby on lake ontario-i nalways took her out in the rough to see what it could take-i didnt get stupid but i wanted to know the boats capabilities and we were prepared to lose it if something were to turn bab-we were also fully prepared for this safety wise-so its just a question because i think when i get a sailboat-im going to want it to be able to handle the rough stuff-any comments-kevan
Can your boat handle what lake ontario can dish out?
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When it comes to Mother Nature
mankind will lose should it get that far. She has the power to swallow up even the biggest and the best boat. Water is both the giver and taker of life. I don't tempt Mother Nature. If I must, I'll take all precautions not to tempt her. But if need be, I'd be willing to sacrifice my vessel to her in order to save my life. I believe the boat will and can handle more than the human can handle. The boat knows no fear. Not so for the human
Keep it up,
Ctskip
mankind will lose should it get that far. She has the power to swallow up even the biggest and the best boat. Water is both the giver and taker of life. I don't tempt Mother Nature. If I must, I'll take all precautions not to tempt her. But if need be, I'd be willing to sacrifice my vessel to her in order to save my life. I believe the boat will and can handle more than the human can handle. The boat knows no fear. Not so for the human
Keep it up,
Ctskip
The Great Lakes are inland seas. If you plan to challange to oceans
you must expect to get beat up. Your lake is too small for you to avoid a storm so your boat would have to be ocean capable. You may not have enough sea room to weather a major storm so the best I can offer is watch the forecasts and stay in port when they are forecasting gales.
you must expect to get beat up. Your lake is too small for you to avoid a storm so your boat would have to be ocean capable. You may not have enough sea room to weather a major storm so the best I can offer is watch the forecasts and stay in port when they are forecasting gales.
The Boat Can Handle More Than You
Many sailors have been rescued off their boats in very severe conditions. In many cases the boats have survived unmanned, including in hurricanes. Modern boats are pretty tough, and if reasonably maintained and sailed prudently, will survive pretty much anything except hitting something hard.
Lake Ontario is a big piece of water. Waves of 10 to 12 feet are common in October and November, and the wind often gets over 35 knots in spring and fall. The big advantage is that there are no rocks or reefs to hit once you are a mile or so off shore (except for the far east end) so if you can handle it, you won't hit anything. That being said, I don't know of anyone in my area who wants to sail in really bad conditions. Things break, including bones. Most races are cancelled when the wind is steady over 20 - 25 knots.
As the saying goes, there are old sailors and bold sailors, but no old bold sailors.
Many sailors have been rescued off their boats in very severe conditions. In many cases the boats have survived unmanned, including in hurricanes. Modern boats are pretty tough, and if reasonably maintained and sailed prudently, will survive pretty much anything except hitting something hard.
Lake Ontario is a big piece of water. Waves of 10 to 12 feet are common in October and November, and the wind often gets over 35 knots in spring and fall. The big advantage is that there are no rocks or reefs to hit once you are a mile or so off shore (except for the far east end) so if you can handle it, you won't hit anything. That being said, I don't know of anyone in my area who wants to sail in really bad conditions. Things break, including bones. Most races are cancelled when the wind is steady over 20 - 25 knots.
As the saying goes, there are old sailors and bold sailors, but no old bold sailors.
When you tempt fate
The odds will catch up to you eventually. We watch the weather closely and remember we are in fact a small craft. Even with being cautious, we have got caught in some nasty stuff. If anyone owns a major production boat, that has been properly equipped and maintained, the boats abilities will always exceed the skipper's ability to get it home. One of the reasons I wanted to make sure that I had a boat made from solid laid glass rather than blown chopped glass is I have heard from people that ventured out into the Gulf Stream when the seas get confused and the sides of their boats make some strange crackling and snapping sounds. I own a boat to do coastal to offshore fishing. I do not plan on doing true blue water sailing. Even with just heading 10 miles offshore when the conditions are great for small crafts... weather happens offshore really quick. We never go looking for bad conditions but they have seemed to have found us over the years. Thunderstorms build really quick out of nowhere.
The odds will catch up to you eventually. We watch the weather closely and remember we are in fact a small craft. Even with being cautious, we have got caught in some nasty stuff. If anyone owns a major production boat, that has been properly equipped and maintained, the boats abilities will always exceed the skipper's ability to get it home. One of the reasons I wanted to make sure that I had a boat made from solid laid glass rather than blown chopped glass is I have heard from people that ventured out into the Gulf Stream when the seas get confused and the sides of their boats make some strange crackling and snapping sounds. I own a boat to do coastal to offshore fishing. I do not plan on doing true blue water sailing. Even with just heading 10 miles offshore when the conditions are great for small crafts... weather happens offshore really quick. We never go looking for bad conditions but they have seemed to have found us over the years. Thunderstorms build really quick out of nowhere.
Speaking of weather. I make an effort to watch the skies
when a weather change is forecast. It is for me a convenient way to be able to learn to forecast off shore weather just by keeping a weather eye out. Usually the clouds build in for several days before a front comes through and thunderstorms build mountains of cloud on the horizon long before they dump on my space.
when a weather change is forecast. It is for me a convenient way to be able to learn to forecast off shore weather just by keeping a weather eye out. Usually the clouds build in for several days before a front comes through and thunderstorms build mountains of cloud on the horizon long before they dump on my space.
Here's A Shot For You
Last September, during our eastward passage across the Mississippi Sound, a thunderstorm approached from the south. As they usually are in the South, this monster was fast moving, full of wind, and ready to kick butt. Attached is a photograph as she approaces my friend on his Tartan 37. I took the photo.
Dick
Last September, during our eastward passage across the Mississippi Sound, a thunderstorm approached from the south. As they usually are in the South, this monster was fast moving, full of wind, and ready to kick butt. Attached is a photograph as she approaces my friend on his Tartan 37. I took the photo.
Dick
Many faces
Kevan,
I think you will find that whatever you have or will have, the lake has more. Ontario has many faces, and some are not nice.
Dale
Kevan,
I think you will find that whatever you have or will have, the lake has more. Ontario has many faces, and some are not nice.
Dale
You'd be surprised
just about any production boat can take. I would think that 30 or 35 knots and 10 to 12 footers would be well in the capability of said boat, providing the skipper knows how to deal with it. I would not consider these conditions to be severe, or life threatening. It will be uncomfortable, and you might get beat up, but if you are reasonably competent, thats not what I would consider dangerous. It is necessary to know your boat, have it in good condition, and be able to handle it well. Other than that, just go for it.
just about any production boat can take. I would think that 30 or 35 knots and 10 to 12 footers would be well in the capability of said boat, providing the skipper knows how to deal with it. I would not consider these conditions to be severe, or life threatening. It will be uncomfortable, and you might get beat up, but if you are reasonably competent, thats not what I would consider dangerous. It is necessary to know your boat, have it in good condition, and be able to handle it well. Other than that, just go for it.
NiceNEasy
that sounds about right-i wouldn't go out there in something really bad like a full blown gale but when we get a north easterly wind blowing in good-thats time to pull up and head out-i think this is what sailing is all about-getting out in that rough stuff-push the limit-but know your limit and use your head! I find it hard to believe that i have had a 15 foot crestliner runabout in rougher stuff than most of you guys-come on! I grew up on this lake and know her well, but, i also respect this lake! So when she's blowing in-you will see me heading out and loving every minute of it! kevan
that sounds about right-i wouldn't go out there in something really bad like a full blown gale but when we get a north easterly wind blowing in good-thats time to pull up and head out-i think this is what sailing is all about-getting out in that rough stuff-push the limit-but know your limit and use your head! I find it hard to believe that i have had a 15 foot crestliner runabout in rougher stuff than most of you guys-come on! I grew up on this lake and know her well, but, i also respect this lake! So when she's blowing in-you will see me heading out and loving every minute of it! kevan
is your boat
I'm much more concerned about the captain and crew being able to handle what the lake can throw at them than if the boat can take it.
I'm much more concerned about the captain and crew being able to handle what the lake can throw at them than if the boat can take it.
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