O'Day 22 - Weather restrictions

emergpa1 · Jul 6, 2011

AndyS22 said:
Hi,
I know this is a very leading / vague questions, but for you guys with experiance what do you consider the highest wind speed / wave hieght you would take your 22 out in?
Thanks

Well if Joe were cap'n, and we were in trinka, then maybe 30 kph. If it's me, anything with whitecaps is way above my skill level.

25yearslater · Jul 6, 2011

I used to take mine out on Lake Ontario in anything as long as I could get out of the harbor. Of course that was when I had plenty of sense and not much of it very good. It is more a function of sail area. Think of it this way; what are you going to do if you are out and the wind heaps up before you can make a harbor? Those 22's were phenomenal in heavy weather.

1977oday22 · Jul 6, 2011

I've had mine out in some pretty rough seas and she did pretty well.
In Lake Erie I usually stay in the break wall when there are whitecaps.
It seems those usually indicate 3-5 footers with the super quick possibility of building seas with odd rogue swells here and there.
I like it best 1-3ft waves with about 15 knots of wind.

SchwarckT · Jul 7, 2011

Upper Traverse Bay with 2-4' waves and winds around 25mph(+) and the boat handled it with no problem.

jdratlif · Jul 7, 2011

It has been my experience this season, sailing on Lake Erie, that I am not worried about my boats ability to handle the wind and the waves as much as I am worried about my outboards ability to power me out of a sticky situation. I have a short shaft outboard (air cooled) that does not like to stay in the water in waves above 3 foot. Even though my boat is a little bigger I have only heard great things about these O'days as far as stoutness goes. To sum it up, you can always put the sails down and start the outboard but if your outboard cannot overcome the weather you'll be in trouble.

Have fun

OdayDave · Jul 7, 2011

Hi Andy -

As always, it depends. When I replaced the main on my old 222, I had a second set of reefing points set in. It was a good decision. I had it out in some pretty strong winds last year (probably around 20 knots) and with just a small amount of jib rolled out (maybe 50%), was quite comfortable. Note the wind was coming from the west so being on the western shore of Lake Michigan, the waves were manageable (2-3 foot range I would guess). I've been in 5-6 foot waves and it handled those fine as long as the sail configuration is right. The key is knowing your boat, and having a feel for your own capabilities. I certainly wouldn't want to have been in 5-6 foot waves when I first got the boat, but with time and experience on the boat I began to recognize the limits of the boat and my own limits.

Since upgrading to a 25 this year, I'm going through that same learning curve again and I'm in the process of getting a new main built so that I can get the sails right.

You'll get a lot of good sailing out of the 22. I had mine for 10 years and did lot's of sailing on Lake Michigan and Green Bay. It's a great boat for coastal sailing on the lake.

Good luck,

Dave
O'Day 25

Joe11688 · Jul 8, 2011

AndyS22 said:
Hi,
I know this is a very leading / vague questions, but for you guys with experience what do you consider the highest wind speed / wave height you would take your 22 out in?
Thanks

In spite of what keith just told you, I really hate being out on my boat in high winds and rough water. Who the heck wants to get jostled around while being hit in the face with spray?
In my opinion a smart sailor will avoid a storm that he knows he can weather, and weather the storm he can not avoid.
So when the wind and waves start to kick up Andy, do like I do and stay on dry land. If on the other hand, (four thumbs and a finger)

you are out there and can't avoid it, find a nice protected cove and hang out on the hook.
I sailed out to the bay on Wednesday and the wind started to pick up later, so I anchored in the lee of a tree less island and stayed there. The wind was howling and the waves were a little bumpy, but the holding ground is great on the North side of this particular island so we stayed anchored there right through the night until morning. The next day it was like a mill pond. There was very little wind and we had to motor back most of the way.
During that morning, I took my dog fishing in the kayak on the South side of this island and caught a 31'' Blue Fish. It was like taking a Nantucket sleigh ride. I was able to paddle my 9' kayak to the island just to bring it in and land him. Sometimes a bad experience can turn into a good one and visa versa.
Joe

Joe11688 · Jul 8, 2011

AndyS22 said:
Thanks Joe,
I agree the wise thing to do is avoid the situation, I've enjoyed being in storms in the past but my wife wouldn't be so keen and probably not me now I'm older . I probably wouldn't go out in any thing more than a 15-20 knot wind. Were planning some longer over night sails on northen lake MI and Huron (Le Chennoix) and I'm trying to get a feel the boats ability to take the unexpected. I'm pretty sure the boat will take more than me

You're absolutely right Andy in that your boat can take more than you can and it's a great idea to find out what her limitations might be so that you can have an idea of what to expect if you're ever caught out there in some heavy weather. After you've found out how she behaves in rough weather I think that you'll agree that avoiding it is more enjoyable in a cozy shelter. People think I'm a nut when I tell them that I really enjoy a nice storm at anchor in a sheltered cove. I could sleep right through it in the cabin of my boat. I just don't like being out there at night sailing in it. I've been there and done that in Vineyard Sound years ago and it was hair raising. My boy Timothy got sick that night in the cabin and puked in my hat.

For some reason, he no longer likes to sail.
From what I've heard, those lakes up in your area can be ten times worse at times. Have a great sailing season Andy!
Joe

dkdoyle · Jul 8, 2011

Trinkka said:
In spite of what keith just told you, I really hate being out on my boat in high winds and rough water. Who the heck wants to get jostled around while being hit in the face with spray?
In my opinion a smart sailor will avoid a storm that he knows he can weather, and weather the storm he can not avoid.
So when the wind and waves start to kick up Andy, do like I do and stay on dry land. If on the other hand, (four thumbs and a finger) you are out there and can't avoid it, find a nice protected cove and hang out on the hook.
I sailed out to the bay on Wednesday and the wind started to pick up later, so I anchored in the lee of a tree less island and stayed there. The wind was howling and the waves were a little bumpy, but the holding ground is great on the North side of this particular island so we stayed anchored there right through the night until morning. The next day it was like a mill pond. There was very little wind and we had to motor back most of the way.
During that morning, I took my dog fishing in the kayak on the South side of this island and caught a 31'' Blue Fish. It was like taking a Nantucket sleigh ride. I was able to paddle my 9' kayak to the island just to bring it in and land him. Sometimes a bad experience can turn into a good one and visa versa.
Joe

Great fish story