Sometimes it seems that the stick and sails on a sailboat just get in the way for some "sailers". To me 15 knots on the beam with whitecaps and 4-6' waves makes for a perfect day of sailing. I also enjoy drifting along at a knot or so under light breezes but not nearly as much as the rail near the water. So my question: When you check the weather and they have small craft advisories do you head for the water?? We've found that usually the advisory days are the best days for sailing. Tom
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15 knots? I like 20.
When Wilma skirted by South Carolina, we had a evening of 20+ knot winds. Put up the 100 jib and reefed the main and got in a couple hours of night sailing. I've seen some threads here complaining that a Catalina 270 can't be single-handed, but it sure works for me. I check the forecast every day. Anything about 10 knots is a sailing day.
When Wilma skirted by South Carolina, we had a evening of 20+ knot winds. Put up the 100 jib and reefed the main and got in a couple hours of night sailing. I've seen some threads here complaining that a Catalina 270 can't be single-handed, but it sure works for me. I check the forecast every day. Anything about 10 knots is a sailing day.
Here on the Gulf Coast
We have far more days that have too little wind than days with too much wind. The last couple of times that we've sailed along the coast about 20 miles to St Joe we've had to motor at least part of the way...once most of the way. Even with Wilma sending 15' waves we only had enough wind to move at 2-3 knots. Man it must be nice to usually have wind. Supposedly the Gulf Coast was evaluated for a wind farm and there wasn't enough wind. I love the warm water and white sand beaches...with a little more wind Panama City would be perfect.
We have far more days that have too little wind than days with too much wind. The last couple of times that we've sailed along the coast about 20 miles to St Joe we've had to motor at least part of the way...once most of the way. Even with Wilma sending 15' waves we only had enough wind to move at 2-3 knots. Man it must be nice to usually have wind. Supposedly the Gulf Coast was evaluated for a wind farm and there wasn't enough wind. I love the warm water and white sand beaches...with a little more wind Panama City would be perfect.
depends on how long
I think for me, your description of 15 and a few caps is pretty close to ideal. Let's go sailing together
I like a few hours of rail down sailing, but after that it gets to be too much work, so I adjust sail area downward and continue on. One of the reasons why I bought my C27 (vs an old OD22) was the versatility in sail plan. I can be out in 25 gusting to 30, with double reefed main and a small headsail (about a 60%) and it's no more work or discomfort than at 15 with more sail. Wife doesn't like it though. If the forecast is >15 gusting to 20, she stays home. Tom MOnroe Carlyle Lake
I think for me, your description of 15 and a few caps is pretty close to ideal. Let's go sailing together
I like a few hours of rail down sailing, but after that it gets to be too much work, so I adjust sail area downward and continue on. One of the reasons why I bought my C27 (vs an old OD22) was the versatility in sail plan. I can be out in 25 gusting to 30, with double reefed main and a small headsail (about a 60%) and it's no more work or discomfort than at 15 with more sail. Wife doesn't like it though. If the forecast is >15 gusting to 20, she stays home. Tom MOnroe Carlyle Lakesame in Cleveland
Yep, same thing. I require 15-20 to get going, whihc sometimes means 6 footers. Unless, in the fall, the winds come from the south. Then the lake is usually smooth and sailing is a blast. Took the boat out far to early this year. They have a web cam on the water intake, what we call the 5 mile crib or just "The Crib". In additon you can get wind speed off of it. Pretty cool as the local weathermen rarely get it right. So now we can check, assuming the thing is working, and get it straight fromt he horses mouth. http://livedata.clevelandcrib.org/ http://69.172.28.71:8081/command=Image&screen=Screen
Yep, same thing. I require 15-20 to get going, whihc sometimes means 6 footers. Unless, in the fall, the winds come from the south. Then the lake is usually smooth and sailing is a blast. Took the boat out far to early this year. They have a web cam on the water intake, what we call the 5 mile crib or just "The Crib". In additon you can get wind speed off of it. Pretty cool as the local weathermen rarely get it right. So now we can check, assuming the thing is working, and get it straight fromt he horses mouth. http://livedata.clevelandcrib.org/ http://69.172.28.71:8081/command=Image&screen=Screen
Good Sailing at 15kts
Yea, I agree, 12-15 kts is prefect for us here in the Galveston Bay area. I don't like 4-6 ft waves as it knocks you around too much. I also find as Tom Monroe said that sailing with the rail near the water is too much work and the boat doesn't even sail that good. Reef the main at 14kts and get a nice 15 degree heel, much better. My wife doesn't like that so I sail with my father-in-law. Just like singlehandling though. I did get her out several weeks ago in 20+ winds with a reef in the main and the headsail shortened to about 100 and we had a nice sail heeled at 12 degree making 6kts.(The wind was only blowing 5 kts when we left the dock) Tom s/v At Last(37.5)
Yea, I agree, 12-15 kts is prefect for us here in the Galveston Bay area. I don't like 4-6 ft waves as it knocks you around too much. I also find as Tom Monroe said that sailing with the rail near the water is too much work and the boat doesn't even sail that good. Reef the main at 14kts and get a nice 15 degree heel, much better. My wife doesn't like that so I sail with my father-in-law. Just like singlehandling though. I did get her out several weeks ago in 20+ winds with a reef in the main and the headsail shortened to about 100 and we had a nice sail heeled at 12 degree making 6kts.(The wind was only blowing 5 kts when we left the dock) Tom s/v At Last(37.5)
Novice...but I like 15 knots
Just took up sailing a few months back when I bought a new Catalina 270. Learning fast, mostly singlehanding. I reef at the dock if I'm alone and it's blowing over 10 knots and don't go out over 20. Best day yet...low 50's...black clouds..occasional showers...steady north winds 15 to 20 knots....rails in the water. Had my ocean sailor son in law, daughter, and 4 & 6 yr. old grandkids with me. They had a ball...especially the grandkids!!! God, am I glad I took up sailing!
Just took up sailing a few months back when I bought a new Catalina 270. Learning fast, mostly singlehanding. I reef at the dock if I'm alone and it's blowing over 10 knots and don't go out over 20. Best day yet...low 50's...black clouds..occasional showers...steady north winds 15 to 20 knots....rails in the water. Had my ocean sailor son in law, daughter, and 4 & 6 yr. old grandkids with me. They had a ball...especially the grandkids!!! God, am I glad I took up sailing!
......UGRHH !!!!
RAil in the water, White caps, 6 ft seas, Too much wind, Stuff bumping around in the cabin, << sounds like CONDITIONS that can cause the MISSUS, Co-CAPTAIN, HOME BANKER, THE CHIEF, HER HONOR, etc. never to go SAILING with ME AGAIN.....HA.....
RAil in the water, White caps, 6 ft seas, Too much wind, Stuff bumping around in the cabin, << sounds like CONDITIONS that can cause the MISSUS, Co-CAPTAIN, HOME BANKER, THE CHIEF, HER HONOR, etc. never to go SAILING with ME AGAIN.....HA.....
I agree with "How Long"
This spring I spent over 8 solid hours motoring directly into a 20-30kt wind with 4-6 ft chop going from Newburyport, MA to Kennebunkport, ME. My two sailing buddies were sick and refused to go below no matter what! Every forth of fifth wave sent the bow crashing down and nearly submersing -- sending a wave of water rushing over the deck. The only thing saving us was the dodger. By the time we got to Kennebunkport, we were ready for a walk on dry land and several beers! It was fun looking BACK on it, but while we were out it was just a bit scary. A couple of hours, maybe -- 8 hours, I don't think so.
This spring I spent over 8 solid hours motoring directly into a 20-30kt wind with 4-6 ft chop going from Newburyport, MA to Kennebunkport, ME. My two sailing buddies were sick and refused to go below no matter what! Every forth of fifth wave sent the bow crashing down and nearly submersing -- sending a wave of water rushing over the deck. The only thing saving us was the dodger. By the time we got to Kennebunkport, we were ready for a walk on dry land and several beers! It was fun looking BACK on it, but while we were out it was just a bit scary. A couple of hours, maybe -- 8 hours, I don't think so.
Sailing is the main point
You were not sailing!!!!! Motoring in a sailboat is never as enjoyable as sailing!!!! When the wind is on the beam everything is much better. We were beating into the wind this spring and after a couple of hours we decided to turn back instead of beating all day. But once we turned onto a broad reach it was an entirely different experience!!!! We ended up sailing all day even after we got back into the bay we beam reached back and forth until it was almost dark. I think that it is the waves. Going into the wind and waves you hit the waves harder and more frequently. Also everything is sheeted in tightly causeing more heel. But remember once you start the engine you are a powerboater driving a powerboat legally and otherwise. There have been times when the thump of my diesel was music but usually it is much better to have the diesel sitting quietly in the bilge until time or the lack of wind or skill requires it's use.
You were not sailing!!!!! Motoring in a sailboat is never as enjoyable as sailing!!!! When the wind is on the beam everything is much better. We were beating into the wind this spring and after a couple of hours we decided to turn back instead of beating all day. But once we turned onto a broad reach it was an entirely different experience!!!! We ended up sailing all day even after we got back into the bay we beam reached back and forth until it was almost dark. I think that it is the waves. Going into the wind and waves you hit the waves harder and more frequently. Also everything is sheeted in tightly causeing more heel. But remember once you start the engine you are a powerboater driving a powerboat legally and otherwise. There have been times when the thump of my diesel was music but usually it is much better to have the diesel sitting quietly in the bilge until time or the lack of wind or skill requires it's use.
Stu - in SF
I agree about the Small Craft Advisories, I've been checking the forecast roughly every three days, and frankly I can't remember a day since June when there WASN'T an advisory. Does anyone know if NOAA keep records on how many they issue? This (still) seems to be a particularly windy year on the bay. Richard. s/v Soupy Twist II
I agree about the Small Craft Advisories, I've been checking the forecast roughly every three days, and frankly I can't remember a day since June when there WASN'T an advisory. Does anyone know if NOAA keep records on how many they issue? This (still) seems to be a particularly windy year on the bay. Richard. s/v Soupy Twist II
Richard - Not Necessarily More Windy
on SF Bay. We've had our traditional summer winds, but I was out in zephyrs on Sunday until some picked up later in the afternoon. I don't know about stats about SCAs, but let's look forward, not back. The beauty here is sailing what's out there any given day, not what used to be. My impression: not a particularly windy year, pretty normal, BUT the seasons are about a month BEHIND what's normal - fog in October???? There's an interesting book called Small Craft Advisory written by a gentleman who had a Pearson 28, I recollect, who built a small motor yacht - great reading - East Coast - Abelmare Sound and Beaufort. Enjoy. Stu PS - I do agree that motoring into anything makes it seem a whole lot worse than it is. We returned from a recent downwind sail race and motored back. Yecch!!! We couldn't convince the skipper to sail! Dagnabbit. Very wet and uncomfortable, when it could have been a great sail with only and hour or two longer (and more comfortable) ride. It is, after all, a SAILboat. Heck, it'd be more comfortable having the waves on the forward beam, even when motoring. If you do that, then SAIL.
on SF Bay. We've had our traditional summer winds, but I was out in zephyrs on Sunday until some picked up later in the afternoon. I don't know about stats about SCAs, but let's look forward, not back. The beauty here is sailing what's out there any given day, not what used to be. My impression: not a particularly windy year, pretty normal, BUT the seasons are about a month BEHIND what's normal - fog in October???? There's an interesting book called Small Craft Advisory written by a gentleman who had a Pearson 28, I recollect, who built a small motor yacht - great reading - East Coast - Abelmare Sound and Beaufort. Enjoy. Stu PS - I do agree that motoring into anything makes it seem a whole lot worse than it is. We returned from a recent downwind sail race and motored back. Yecch!!! We couldn't convince the skipper to sail! Dagnabbit. Very wet and uncomfortable, when it could have been a great sail with only and hour or two longer (and more comfortable) ride. It is, after all, a SAILboat. Heck, it'd be more comfortable having the waves on the forward beam, even when motoring. If you do that, then SAIL.
Depends
Plenty of wind is fine with me, but sometimes it's kind of nice to ease along too. When I went out yesterday it was 5 to 15 with some gusts above that, but coming back things had calmed down and it was still pretty nice at sunset:
Plenty of wind is fine with me, but sometimes it's kind of nice to ease along too. When I went out yesterday it was 5 to 15 with some gusts above that, but coming back things had calmed down and it was still pretty nice at sunset:
Fun
When I was sailing in SF Bay, I looked forward to September and October so I could enjoy a quiet sail ... Now I live in B.C. have 1000 neat places to cruise to ... and no wind ... sigh
When I was sailing in SF Bay, I looked forward to September and October so I could enjoy a quiet sail ... Now I live in B.C. have 1000 neat places to cruise to ... and no wind ... sigh
upwind or downwind?
Hello, 15 kts winds if fine - unless you're beating into it! October on the Long Island Sound is windy. Two weeks ago I went out for a few hours. Wind from the W at 15 with gusts to 25. I sailed upwind for about 45 minutes. That got old real fast! The boat bounced, pounded, heeled 30+, bashed, and was otherwise quite uncomfortable. When I had sustained gusts of 20+ and two ferries heading towards me, I gave up and turned around to go home. Heading downwind was instant releaf! No more extreme heel, bashing, etc. I was now surfing down waves at 7-8 kts. The 30 minute trip home was great! So, upwind in strong wind - NO. Downwind (or even beam reach) Sure. Barry
Hello, 15 kts winds if fine - unless you're beating into it! October on the Long Island Sound is windy. Two weeks ago I went out for a few hours. Wind from the W at 15 with gusts to 25. I sailed upwind for about 45 minutes. That got old real fast! The boat bounced, pounded, heeled 30+, bashed, and was otherwise quite uncomfortable. When I had sustained gusts of 20+ and two ferries heading towards me, I gave up and turned around to go home. Heading downwind was instant releaf! No more extreme heel, bashing, etc. I was now surfing down waves at 7-8 kts. The 30 minute trip home was great! So, upwind in strong wind - NO. Downwind (or even beam reach) Sure. Barry
Small Craft Advisory
On the San Francisco Bay there is a small craft advisory almost every day. Typically winds 15-25 knots with gusts to 30. If sailors stayed at the dock because of small craft advisory, there would basically be no sailing on the bay. I think that, like me, most sailors in SanFrancisco think of small craft advisories as warnings to john boats and small open fishing type boats. I will usually stay at the dock when NOAA issues a gale warning.
On the San Francisco Bay there is a small craft advisory almost every day. Typically winds 15-25 knots with gusts to 30. If sailors stayed at the dock because of small craft advisory, there would basically be no sailing on the bay. I think that, like me, most sailors in SanFrancisco think of small craft advisories as warnings to john boats and small open fishing type boats. I will usually stay at the dock when NOAA issues a gale warning.
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