What wind speed makes you head for the boat
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wind speed
In Long Beach, California and with my 22' Venture, when it is going to be 8 to 10 knots I just can't pass it up. But I will also sail in any wind speed from 1 knot to 20 knots, using one of my 4 head sails. Novelman
In Long Beach, California and with my 22' Venture, when it is going to be 8 to 10 knots I just can't pass it up. But I will also sail in any wind speed from 1 knot to 20 knots, using one of my 4 head sails. Novelman
You Just Never Know
Saturday on Wheeler Lake in Northern Alabama was a lousey day for sailing. Hot humid with light and varible winds. My wife and granddaughter went swimming off the back of the boat while we were ghosting along at a knot or so. I had a cold and was thinking of going home but the wife said let's spend the night and decide in the morning. The forcast was the same as saturday..but they were wrong. The wind started light early in the morning and kept getting stronger all day. We ended up burying the rail and having great sailing all day..so much for forcasts. Any steady wind can be fun even a 5 knot steady wind can be sailed. But light and varible is very frustrating and it is probably time to do something else. With my boat 15 knots is great. 20 knots steady is about the limit before reefing. A lot depends upon where we are sailing. 20 knots can be a lot of fun in protected water like a lake or bay. But 20 knots in the open ocean can lead to some significant waves especially near inlets. But 20 knots in 6-8' waves is an exhilerating experience. The 15'+ waves that stand up near inlets on a falling tide can be humbling. I know of a few times I felt lucky to get back in without broaching. In short 10-20 knots is good.
Saturday on Wheeler Lake in Northern Alabama was a lousey day for sailing. Hot humid with light and varible winds. My wife and granddaughter went swimming off the back of the boat while we were ghosting along at a knot or so. I had a cold and was thinking of going home but the wife said let's spend the night and decide in the morning. The forcast was the same as saturday..but they were wrong. The wind started light early in the morning and kept getting stronger all day. We ended up burying the rail and having great sailing all day..so much for forcasts. Any steady wind can be fun even a 5 knot steady wind can be sailed. But light and varible is very frustrating and it is probably time to do something else. With my boat 15 knots is great. 20 knots steady is about the limit before reefing. A lot depends upon where we are sailing. 20 knots can be a lot of fun in protected water like a lake or bay. But 20 knots in the open ocean can lead to some significant waves especially near inlets. But 20 knots in 6-8' waves is an exhilerating experience. The 15'+ waves that stand up near inlets on a falling tide can be humbling. I know of a few times I felt lucky to get back in without broaching. In short 10-20 knots is good.
Maine's Casco Bay 10-18 knots
10-18 knots is good. Starting at 20 knots it seems to get a little squirrely. Still would go out, just like 10-18 better. Where I sail in Casco Bay I am protected all around so very little swell, no matter what the wind. Up to a point. If I want to have even more fun I head out a pass to the open ocean and play in the swells. Heaven
10-18 knots is good. Starting at 20 knots it seems to get a little squirrely. Still would go out, just like 10-18 better. Where I sail in Casco Bay I am protected all around so very little swell, no matter what the wind. Up to a point. If I want to have even more fun I head out a pass to the open ocean and play in the swells. Heaven
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