Was at marina today to check my boat as there has been small craft warnings on Lake Mich since Sat labor day weekend,noticed a lot of new boats filling up all empty slips,figure couln't get back to home port as weather came in Sat afternoon and has stayed rough all week.Got in conversation with whoever was around on what is considerd a [small craft] .To me My 23.5 Hunter qualifies,What do others think.
small craft warning
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If small craft warnings are the same on Michigan as on Erie then yes, the H23.5 is "small". I don't like those days even on my 37, not dangerous just not fun. Maybe you have different shapes and periods to waves on Michigan. But on Erie a five or six footer really slams you.
The term "small craft" is not really defined. It's more or less relative to your location, the current conditions, the skill and experience of the operator, type and condition of boat, etc.
I'm going to say that the H23.5 is a small craft and I would define my boat (C310) as one also. I've had a H41 out in a small craft advisory and it was difficult to handle. So when there's a SCA, people should use their best judgement and not be surprised when whatever boat they're in is having a rough go at it!
I'm going to say that the H23.5 is a small craft and I would define my boat (C310) as one also. I've had a H41 out in a small craft advisory and it was difficult to handle. So when there's a SCA, people should use their best judgement and not be surprised when whatever boat they're in is having a rough go at it!
Ed,What we were wondering is what others considerd small crafts.Since we're on the farthest southern end of the lake we get rollers two to three days after winds die.Anything over three ft,I'm at the slip.To me sailing is relaxing,when it turns to work the fun is taken away.
Environment Canada have replaced the "Small Craft Warning" with a "Strong Wind Warning" for this very reason. Samll Craft is not really defined and what the warning ( at least in Canada... eh ) is all about is winds 20 - 33 knots. i.e. make the assessment yourself if you can handle the conditions.
Q.
What is a Strong Wind Warning?
A.
A Strong Wind Warning is an alert issued to advise mariners that marine wind speeds between 20 and 33 knots inclusive are occurring, or are expected to occur. The main purpose of the Strong Wind Warning is to alert near-shore mariners and operators of smaller vessels to strong wind conditions that may impact their operations. The terminology for this alert replaces the "Small Craft Warning" which was previously issued for the same wind speed criteria.
Q.
Why was Small Craft Warning replaced with Strong Wind Warning although the wind speed criteria did not change?
A.
The terminology "Strong Wind Warning" is used to more accurately describe the nature of the alert, and it is less likely to be misinterpreted. As well, the definition of "small raft" is not entirely obvious and may be subject to misinterpretation.
Synoptic warnings include the following four categories of winds and freezing spray:
Q.
What is a Strong Wind Warning?
A.
A Strong Wind Warning is an alert issued to advise mariners that marine wind speeds between 20 and 33 knots inclusive are occurring, or are expected to occur. The main purpose of the Strong Wind Warning is to alert near-shore mariners and operators of smaller vessels to strong wind conditions that may impact their operations. The terminology for this alert replaces the "Small Craft Warning" which was previously issued for the same wind speed criteria.
Q.
Why was Small Craft Warning replaced with Strong Wind Warning although the wind speed criteria did not change?
A.
The terminology "Strong Wind Warning" is used to more accurately describe the nature of the alert, and it is less likely to be misinterpreted. As well, the definition of "small raft" is not entirely obvious and may be subject to misinterpretation.
Synoptic warnings include the following four categories of winds and freezing spray:
- Strong wind: Wind speed of 20 to 33 knots inclusive. Strong wind warnings are only issued for coastal or inland waters during the recreational boating season.
- Gale-force wind: Wind speed of 34 to 47 knots inclusive.
- Storm-force wind: Wind speed of 48 to 63 knots inclusive.
- Hurricane-force wind: Wind speed of 64 knots or greater.
It has nothing to do with the size of your boat.
As defined by Canada, and also by US, it is a range of anticipated wind speed. That's all.
As defined by Canada, and also by US, it is a range of anticipated wind speed. That's all.
Small Craft Warnings
Are for winds above 25 mph if I remember right has nothing to do with the size of your boat just an indication of the weather. I would probably not go out on my 23.5 with it bowing like that but might condider it in the Sunfish.
Are for winds above 25 mph if I remember right has nothing to do with the size of your boat just an indication of the weather. I would probably not go out on my 23.5 with it bowing like that but might condider it in the Sunfish.
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=+2]Marine [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=+2]Hazards[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Quick link to products:
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]| Small Craft Advisory | Small Craft Advisory for Hazardous Seas | Gale Warning | Storm Warning |[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]| Hurricane Force Wind Warning | Special Marine Warning | Marine Weather Statement | [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Hazard Type[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Product ID[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Event/Hazard[/FONT]
Quick link to products:
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]| Small Craft Advisory | Small Craft Advisory for Hazardous Seas | Gale Warning | Storm Warning |[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]| Hurricane Force Wind Warning | Special Marine Warning | Marine Weather Statement | [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Hazard Type[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Product ID[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Event/Hazard[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Small Craft Advisory[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]CWFLOX[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Sustained winds or frequent gusts 21-33 kts occurring or expected to occur in the next 24 hours OR a combination of the above criteria with seas 10 ft or higher [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Small Craft Advisory for Hazardous Seas[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]CWFLOX[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Large Seas of 10 ft or higher, or hazardous steep seas at short intervals is occurring or expected to occur in the next 24 hours[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gale Warning [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]CWFLOX[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Sustained winds or frequent gusts 34-47 kts occurring or expected to occur in the next 24 hours[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]CWFLOX[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Storm Warning [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]CWFLOX[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Sustained winds or frequent gusts 48-63 kts occurring or expected to occur in the next 24 hours [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Hurricane Force Wind Warning[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]CWFLOX[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]CWFLOX[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Sustained winds or frequent gusts 64 kts or greater occurring or expected to occur in the next 24 hours[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gale/Storm/Hurricane Force Watch[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]CWFLOX[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]CWFLOX[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gale Force/Storm Force/Hurricane Force winds are possible in the next 12 to 48 hours.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Special Marine Warning[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]SMWLOX[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Short-duration (less than 2 hours) events such as:[/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Hail 3/4" or larger[/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Convective winds sustained or gusting 34 kts or greater[/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Waterspouts[/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Cold-air funnel clouds[/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Squalls[/FONT]
- [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Non-convective short duration sustained winds or gusts 34 kts or greater[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]-OR-[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Highlight significant weather events expected to affect mariners in the 2-5 day forecast period [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]-OR-[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Follow-up to Special Marine Warning[/FONT]
Re: Small Craft Warnings
Rick.I've got my Sunfish and Sailfish on their trailer together.How about Pensicola .My aunt lives there .Nice Sailing.
Rick.I've got my Sunfish and Sailfish on their trailer together.How about Pensicola .My aunt lives there .Nice Sailing.
??
For some legal applications, a "small craft" is under 60 feet long. Or so someone told me once, decades ago.
File this under "unproven trivia."
Agree with the other posters that it nowadays refers to wind n sea levels...
L
For some legal applications, a "small craft" is under 60 feet long. Or so someone told me once, decades ago.
File this under "unproven trivia."
Agree with the other posters that it nowadays refers to wind n sea levels...
L
How you respond to "small craft warning" is a personal matter based on how confident you are with your skills and your boat. Usually, the boat will take more than you. I've seen guys out with Lasers in 30 kts of wind with big seas having a great time. It is really more a comfort level thing unless you start dealing with extreme conditions. On L Mich I would call 9 footers or greater extreme. Work your way up to find the conditions you will be comfortable in.
Small Craft Classification
It is sort of wormy back there in the back of my mind but for some reason I seem to think. The Coast Guard makes the delineation at 34'. It is for a different reason than the 39' which is the cut off for requiring a bell and having the Navigation Rules on board. Maybe it was a tax thing and that was about the typical size where a boat would be large enough to be documented. It seemed like a random and obscure number but the rational made sense whatever it was. That definition has nothing to do with weather however.
It is sort of wormy back there in the back of my mind but for some reason I seem to think. The Coast Guard makes the delineation at 34'. It is for a different reason than the 39' which is the cut off for requiring a bell and having the Navigation Rules on board. Maybe it was a tax thing and that was about the typical size where a boat would be large enough to be documented. It seemed like a random and obscure number but the rational made sense whatever it was. That definition has nothing to do with weather however.
From Coast Guard Compass (USCG Blog )
For one thing, there isn’t an exact definition for a Small Craft Advisory (SCA). The advisory is based on the weather and sea conditions in a specific geographic area rather than on the size and type of boat. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service (NOAA NWS), “Any vessel that may be adversely affected by Small Craft Advisory criteria should be considered a small craft.”
and NOAA
Small Craft Advisory (SCA) - An advisory issued by coastal and Great Lakes Weather Forecast Offices (WFO) for areas included in the Coastal Waters Forecast or Nearshore Marine Forecast (NSH) products. Thresholds governing the issuance of small craft advisories are specific to geographic areas. A Small Craft Advisory may also be issued when sea or lake ice exists that could be hazardous to small boats. There is no precise definition of a small craft. Any vessel that may be adversely affected by Small Craft Advisory criteria should be considered a small craft. Other considerations include the experience of the vessel operator, and the type, overall size, and sea worthiness of the vessel.
For one thing, there isn’t an exact definition for a Small Craft Advisory (SCA). The advisory is based on the weather and sea conditions in a specific geographic area rather than on the size and type of boat. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service (NOAA NWS), “Any vessel that may be adversely affected by Small Craft Advisory criteria should be considered a small craft.”
and NOAA
Small Craft Advisory (SCA) - An advisory issued by coastal and Great Lakes Weather Forecast Offices (WFO) for areas included in the Coastal Waters Forecast or Nearshore Marine Forecast (NSH) products. Thresholds governing the issuance of small craft advisories are specific to geographic areas. A Small Craft Advisory may also be issued when sea or lake ice exists that could be hazardous to small boats. There is no precise definition of a small craft. Any vessel that may be adversely affected by Small Craft Advisory criteria should be considered a small craft. Other considerations include the experience of the vessel operator, and the type, overall size, and sea worthiness of the vessel.
NOAA definition
"There is no precise definition...."
"There is no legal definition...."
"There is no precise definition...."
"There is no legal definition...."
http://www.weather.gov/om/marine/cwd.htm
Everyone is saying the same thing. "Small Craft" is not defined. Small Craft Advisory is defined.
My previous post was only an excerpt pointing out the Small Craft definition. Click the links to read the full definition.
from Richard's post it looks like it is a "pre-gale" warining. Note the wind speeds. Since there are folks that, no matter what size boat they are controling, are going to be getting into trouble prior to gale force winds hitting this is a warning to try and hem in the less smart. I'm thinking that only a real moron would be commanding a non-small boat his first time out and that most normal morons start small and work their way up (in boat size not intelligence)
I have always found the term "small craft advisory" misleading. What are you really advising them about? Brisk winds, less than flat seas? Unfortunately, many new sailors on the Great Lakes lose valuable sailing days and great sailing experiences whenever these announcements are made via NOAA weather which I have found to be no more than a coin flip of accuracy in regards to real sailing conditions. We tend to listen to wind reports along the coast and at weather buoys and note the direction of the wind to determine wave heights. A new sailor can walk to the harbor mouth and gauge the height and intensity of the waves and determine if the conditions are within his/her abilities. I often think of Roger Taylor's Mingming- a 21 foot Corribee that has sailed more ambitiously than most Tall Ships and Schooners. I wonder what Roger thinks about "Small Craft Advisories?" Good luck and good sailing, Ron
We are on the Minnesota / Wisconsin border and had strong winds that day too. We decided not to sail and went driving around the Mississippi river towns instead. Had a picnic lunch along side Lock & Dam #4 in Alma WI.
It's not that my boat couldn't handle the conditions, it's just my guests and I didn't feel like taking the pounding when we had other choices for entertainment.
It's not that my boat couldn't handle the conditions, it's just my guests and I didn't feel like taking the pounding when we had other choices for entertainment.
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