For John Denney (who asked) and anyone else. We started off using "ugrib"
(free software to download and read grib files), but for some reason this
has stopped functioning. Now we rely on passageweather.com and
Surf Reports, Surf Forecasts and Surfing Photos - Magicseaweed.com both of which we have found pretty reliable for
five day forecasts. We use navtex, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a
three to five day forecast for Biscay from the Met Office on Navtex (I had
understood that you only get 24 hour forecasts there). It was exactly
right, warning us that the F6 that started on the evening of June 27 would
strengthen over the following 24 hours. Which it did until it was blowing a
steady 7 for some of the next day.
We sailed with the genoa rolled up to its second mark and two reefs in the
main. This was well balanced in F6 but developed strong weather helm at F7,
and I am a bit embarrassed to say I chickened out of taking in the third
reef, becuase it was not impossible to sail, and I did not like the
conditions on the foredeck in fairly high swell and sometimes confused
waves. We wanted to get in to Viveiro as soon as we could, and I have to
say that though it felt hairy we were only making 3 to 3.5 knots in those
conditions. We might have got in sooner if we had reefed again. That's my
lesson learned. Reef more than you need especially if night is falling.
Incidentally, another boat that was out there at the same time broke its
wooden mast. Reminded me how vital it is to have the largest possible bolt
cutters. They had to cut all the rigging away. The rigging sank the mast in
4000 metres. Sobering thought.
John don't worry about the strength of the boat. Matt Rutherford's boat is
just as old. So is mine, and I have not done anything special to it (I
wouldnt know how). I have a feeling my standing rigging was done by former
owner Isla before she crossed the Atlantic. She may have strengthened it. I
believe her account of her preparations are on the VAGB website in an old
edition of the newsletter, if you want to check it out. I would certainly
do what you can to secure the water tank.
Best wishes. Tom[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
(free software to download and read grib files), but for some reason this
has stopped functioning. Now we rely on passageweather.com and
Surf Reports, Surf Forecasts and Surfing Photos - Magicseaweed.com both of which we have found pretty reliable for
five day forecasts. We use navtex, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a
three to five day forecast for Biscay from the Met Office on Navtex (I had
understood that you only get 24 hour forecasts there). It was exactly
right, warning us that the F6 that started on the evening of June 27 would
strengthen over the following 24 hours. Which it did until it was blowing a
steady 7 for some of the next day.
We sailed with the genoa rolled up to its second mark and two reefs in the
main. This was well balanced in F6 but developed strong weather helm at F7,
and I am a bit embarrassed to say I chickened out of taking in the third
reef, becuase it was not impossible to sail, and I did not like the
conditions on the foredeck in fairly high swell and sometimes confused
waves. We wanted to get in to Viveiro as soon as we could, and I have to
say that though it felt hairy we were only making 3 to 3.5 knots in those
conditions. We might have got in sooner if we had reefed again. That's my
lesson learned. Reef more than you need especially if night is falling.
Incidentally, another boat that was out there at the same time broke its
wooden mast. Reminded me how vital it is to have the largest possible bolt
cutters. They had to cut all the rigging away. The rigging sank the mast in
4000 metres. Sobering thought.
John don't worry about the strength of the boat. Matt Rutherford's boat is
just as old. So is mine, and I have not done anything special to it (I
wouldnt know how). I have a feeling my standing rigging was done by former
owner Isla before she crossed the Atlantic. She may have strengthened it. I
believe her account of her preparations are on the VAGB website in an old
edition of the newsletter, if you want to check it out. I would certainly
do what you can to secure the water tank.
Best wishes. Tom[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]