Would you go out (race) in this?

[night0wl]

Hey All,

Our club's annual regatta is this weekend...and this is the upcoming forecast.

SATURDAY
NORTH NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 13 KNOTS NEAR SHORE TO NORTH
NORTHEAST 13 TO 16 KNOTS IN THE GULF STREAM. SEAS 8 TO 10 FEET NEAR
SHORE AND UP TO 11 TO 13 FEET IN THE GULF STREAM. NORTH NORTHEAST
SWELL 3 TO 5 FEET. INTRACOASTAL WATERS A MODERATE CHOP.

It has progressively gotten worse and worse all week. At this point, I'm thinking this is too rough for our boat and crew. My decision to withdraw is complete...so nothing to change my mind now. *BUT* in general, would you take YOUR boat out there if this were the forecast in your neck of the woods? Keep in mind, I have to traverse an inlet and likely deal with a ebbing tide that flows into the northeast wind pattern...makes for a very uncomfortable kitchen. I'm taking a lot of crap from racers and cruisers in the club, especially from folks with boats in the ~45 - 50' range. Objectively...is the ribbing I'm taking justified? Am I just being overly cautious and weak? Would you spend 3-4 hours racing in this?

Details on our boat - Beneteau, 35'6' loa, ~12' beam...29hp yanmar in like new condition (to get us out of trouble)

[Mimsy]

Anyone giving you crap needs to shut it- its your boat and your repsonisbility no one elses.

Given that, I'd probably go out in it in my boat but then she likes heavier weather. The tide issues would worry me more than the weather forecast. Then again, I don't race. YMMV.

[svsirius]

It's doable however I would not want to be going in or out of Hillsboro in those conditions unless tide was just right. The Port Everglades inlet would be safer, but then again I have one of those bigger boats.

[mgiguere]

G'Day

The wind conditions don't seem at all excessive; however, you will have the wind against the tide which makes the 8-12 foot waves alot closer together. Since we like to go out in "small craft warning conditions", we would probably go out; but, if your crew is less "hardcore", then I wouldn't. Your choice!

[Faster]

Agree the wind forecast would simply make for good sailing, but local conditions wrt tide, current and wave patterns may well change the picture.

That wind forecast here at home would be prime!!

[ChuckA]

The wind doesn't sound so bad, but I wouldn't venture out in those seas either. I say you made the right call. If you are not enjoying it, what's the point? When it comes to ribbing, it helps to have a thick skin.

[olgriz]

It's your boat—you pay for anything that gets broke and you're liable for any injuries to crew. Are those who are ribbing you willing to pay for any damages?

Unfortunately there are a lot of sailors/racers that think they are good enough and tough enough to handle anything. The USCG records are full of their rescues.

If you had doubts, you made the right choice. Screw the rest.

[CharlieCobra]

I'd go in a heartbeat but that's just me....

[FarCry]

Doesn't sound too bad. Depending on crew skill and fitness level, I'd probably go. But it really doesn't matter what I or anyone else here thinks. It's up to you and there is no wrong answer.

[BarryL]

Hey,

I don't know your local area or your boat, so I can't comment on that. I can tell you that with a forecast like that for my area, the captain of the boat I race on would definitely go out. His boat is very well prepared and we usually have 6-9 crew to help.

I would think that deciding to go is probably life reefing - if you think you need a reef you should put one in, and if you think you should stay in, you probably should.

Barry


Barry