Tomorrow's Forecast, would you go out?

[Carlitos]

Hey guys. This is tomorrow's forecast in my area as per national weather service..SUNDAY...WIND EAST 20 TO 25 KNOTS. NEAR SHORE SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET...OFF SHORE SEAS BUILDING 9 TO 11 FEET IN LARGE EAST SWELLS. SCATTEREDSHOWERS.The most ive sailed using this forecast was 15-20 knots waves 4-5 footers and it was fun, but tough on the tiller...I know, or think I know, that my sailing ability is up for the conditions. But..Im taking a few friends that have never sailed. The thing is, the sky is as sunny as a summer day, very little clouds.Would you go out?? Whats the toughest youve sailed that you know you where up against?Lets hear from the macho men(gals?) Fair WindsCarlitosMArtina H26

 

[Phil Herring]

Novice crew?

I wouldn't, with crew that doesn't know how to sail. In big swells and 20-25 kts you won't have time to explain things slowly and calmly, and there isn't neasrly so margin for error as there is at 15-20 kts. If it were me, I'd wait for lighter conditions.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

safety

Sailing in those conditions is not fun.IF you do with a novice crew, get the barf bags or better yet, let thme hang over the sides and make sure you hold onto them.. When you get back to shore, they probably will look green but when they get better, run like heck cause they may have the rolling pin after you.Crazy Dave

 

[Pat Spino]

Don't do it.

Not with novice crew.

 

[mikeepp]

doubtful

Unless you've got a sheltered bay or the forecast changes........I'd scrap the sailing plans. You'd probably only create some "antisailers" anyway.

 

[Ray]

Cariltos, Don't

Carlitos, If you are questioning your own abilities and skill in this forecasted weather, to sail with friends that have little, if any, sailing experence could be fatal. Many, many times the forecast is on the easy side and actually gets much worse. Watch the waves at the club and have a couple of cold ones with your friends. Then your friends will still be friends.

 

[Richard Owen]

Depends

The conditions you describe are not life-threatening under normal circumstances - I would describe "normal circumstances" as being a well prepared boat AND CREW. That's your biggest problem. I once went out in a big wind and sea with 4 non-sailors. The boat is a 460, and it is very well set up for this weather (good reefing, etc.). Problem was, I didn't realize how tough it is to get a quick enough reponses from a group of people who had no clue what I was talking about. I thought that I could give clear enough directions to make a good day of it, but I was wrong. No terrible endings here, but a lot of unnecessary stress for sure. If I were you, I would get one more experienced sailor, then all should be fine. My wife and I (she is an excellent sailor) have often taken a group of newbies through rough weather. With that extra set of experienced hands, it's a piece of cake!!! ROwen

 

[Wanderer138]

Hmmmm.....

I have taken a raw novice out alone as crew under very similar conditions, although we were on a bigger boat. Here's how things went:First, he got seasick within the first half hour. After vomiting over the rail, he felt much better and got into the swing of things. Things went fine until we had to change course and beat upwind. I made him steer while I worked the jib sheet winches. The first few tacks were almost 180 degree turns (very frustrating if you are on the winches!) but we finally got it to where we could make reasonable progess upwind. His berth and gear in the forward cabin also got soaked with water coming over the foredeck because the hatch wasn't dogged down properly.My suggestions:a) make sure your boat and gear are up to the task. b) see a) againc) tell your crew what to expect without actually scaring them. Then work them into it slowly. Sail around in protected waters for a half-hour or so to give them a chance to get used to the motion of the boat and what happens when you change course. If they (or you) start to have any doubts, don't go any further under sail.d) try to pick a route where you won't have to change course or tack a lot. If you have to come back to the same port, sailing out on a reach is best because you can do the same thing coming back. If the wind changes to the point where you have to tack a lot, change course or consider motoring instead.e) try not to make the trip too long. A couple of hours each way is plenty.f) Have fun! Sailing in big breeze is a blast.Hope this helps. I wish I was there.PeterS/V Raven

 

[Tim Sullivan]

No way at all

I won't go sailing in those conditions with novices. The wind is manageable but the wave height will toss the boat around and make sailing to course difficult. Here is what I suggest you do, if you plan to sail in those conditions:1.) MUST - Everybody must wear PFD's.2.) MUST - Everybody on deck must be fitted with life-lines.3.) MUST - With seas up to 11 feet, or roughly half the boat length, the chance of pitchpolling is real. Therefore communicate to the crew that this sail is dangerous.My advice is to scrub the sail and go to the bar with your friends.

 

[Bryan C.]

What if the forecast is wrong,

and conditions are worse? That's pretty tough stuff for a 26' boat. Doesn't sound like fun to me.

 

[Edward Smith]

Pay Attention to YOUR COMFORT Level.

Before I started sailing, I spent a number of years Whitewater rafting and Kayaking. One of the first things that I learned was that if you felt you could affect a rescue then it was your butt on the line and if you did not feel comfortable, stay clear and remember 'You accept any risk to yourself when you elect to participate in any dangerous undertaking.' Then as you grow more experienced in the craft, you will be able to accomplish more with greater comfort. Personally, I have a code that I will not leave the dock when there is an approaching Front. I don't go out if winds are force five or above and I don't ever get close to a leaward shore in winds. Set your own pace and listen to the little 'Angels' telling you to be careful. Good Sailing and May you enjoy fair winds.