Fair or Foul

maccauley123 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009

Living and sailing up here in Maine I have been very unhappy with the weather so far this "summer". I know its still early but we have been getting A LOT of rain. It has made me wonder.

At what point (weather conditions) do you decide not to go out? Sunny only, a drizzle is fine or even in a downpour? Forecast is for 15-20 knots with gusts to 25 or more or only when the forecast is for 10-15. What if there is a chance of showers?

I'm not talking about when you are out sailing and the weather changes, do you go in or not. I am asking how bad does the weather have to be before you decide not leave leave a warm, dry house to go sailing. Is the threshhold different for when you have crew or singlehand?

sailortjk1 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009

If we stayed in everytime I hear "Chance of Showers" we would miss a whole lot of sailing. I will even push it sometimes in a "Chance of Thunderstorms". About the only thing that keeps me tied up is High Seas. In my area we get a differnt set of waves known as the Great Lakes Chop. When they get up around 6 feet and over its not a fun ride.
You have to become your own forecaster, take a look at the radar before departing and look at the current sky conditions, than make your decisions.
I don't mind sailing in high winds, but again, in my area that usually means nasty seas; big, no break in between and very steep. What I don't like is docking and leaving the slip in high winds.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009

I think that sailing in rain is fine... that's what they make foul weather gear for.

bubb2 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009

I agree 100% with sailortjk1. I also think his was post well written by a sailor that has a full cockpit enclosure.

DrB · #5 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009

If it's a light rain and the wind is good (up to 20 kts) and the seas are light <4 ft, I will go out, if not on my boat, as crew on someone else's.

Once the winds pipe up and/or the waves get significant (in the presence of rain), it's time to rethink the choice. Also a predicted steady, long rain its not a "Go Out Day" either.

DrB

CaptKermie · #6 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009

We had all that wet stuff here on the west coast for far too long, nice to see it move to the east coast, hope it never returns.
I hate sailing in the rain then returning to put everything away wet. If it is raining I won't go because I am a fair weather sailor and I also refuse to hoist the sails for any wind under 5 knots.
We get enough non-rainy days to fulfill my needs, as long as it is not cold or rainy I go out, if it is raining I won't leave the house, if it is cold I won't leave the dock.

Faster · #7 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009

We used to sail in all kinds of ridiculous weather... now older (and wiser

) we tend to pick our days. But once out cruising as we do each "summer" for 5-8 weeks, you get what you get. With the luxury of time we can wait out the real bad crap, but on the other hand in summer, some of the best sailing is when a system blows through.

Warm and wet is OK.. cold and wet no so much anymore these days.....

BarryL · #8 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009

Hi,

Good post.

For me personally, it depends if I plan on day sailing, or if I have a definite destination.

For a day sail with my family, any rain harder than a sprinkle and we won't go. And, if the wind is going to be 20+ we won't go. If it's just me, I'll go out in a steady rain but not a real hard rain. And I don't mind wind up to 25 kts, more than that and I'll stay home.

For a cruise type destination, not much holds me back. Wind higher than 25 kts would, as would downpours, but that's about it.

That being said, wish me luck because on Sunday I leave a for a 4-5 day trip from my home port to NYC and back again.

Barry

tommays · #9 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009

Well

I got out Tuesday night with the daughter for two hours of sailing in PERFECT conditions (somehow there was no rain for two hours

)

I raced on Wednesday and it looked bad but we stayed dry and sailed a good race

I got out Friday night with the wife for two hours BUT the bugs were so BAD we wished it was raining

We did a training race on Sunday morning (fathers day) for a normal leave the dock at 9 back at 12

Everybody at home said you want to go out in that

Perfect sail again

So somehow in the worst freaking weather i can remember we had 4 good sails this week by taking are chances

and going sailing

Maine Sail · #10 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by maccauley123

At what point (weather conditions) do you decide not to go out? Sunny only, a drizzle is fine or even in a downpour? Forecast is for 15-20 knots with gusts to 25 or more or only when the forecast is for 10-15. What if there is a chance of showers?

Sailed Mon, Tuesday (was nice), raced Wed. We then left Friday for the weekend and got back Sunday night. This weekend we had the entire bay to ourselves. Anchored at Jewell with no other boats. Anchored at Chebeague Island with no other visiting boats and spent the night at the Goslings with only one other crew. I like it rainy and fogy sometimes as it gets quite peaceful. The only boats we saw for the most part were lobsterman. For off shore sustained 30+ keeps the wife at home but I'm a glutton. In the bay she does not mind 25-30..