When Don't You Go Out

DrB · #1 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008

Here is one of those open end general questions that folks can weigh in one with all the caveats:

When is there too much much wind or seas to go out for you?

For me and our 33 ft boat its around 25 kts with 4 to 6 foot seas. Not that I can't do it, I, and most of my friends and guests, find it not enjoyable after a while. The boat will handle it fine, but after a while the constant pounding and motion becomes tiresome. 25 kts in flat seas is okay by itself, but not much more. Seas over 6 feet, no matter how optimal the wind (for our boat) is just not fun for the Admiral, me , and any of our crew.

My optimal range is 10 to 15 kts of steady breeze. Basically I hate reefing a lot. Once over 20, I need to do something with the sails to correct the helm. 0 to 1 foot seas with 15 kt steady winds is heaven.

DrB

artbyjody · #2 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008

I sail mine up to 30 knots before I even consider reefing. Mainly due to the fact this boat is ocean rated and really drives well. The key to comfortable cruising with pounding and heeling is just knowing when to spill the wind. Then again also displacement and tonnage come to mind and at 16500 tons and 7'9 draft... makes a huge difference on it. My Catalina 27 if the wind got to 15 knots I'd just drop the sails and motor...

ccriders · #3 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008

Generally winds exceeding lwl give pause for leaving the marina.
John

Stillraining · #4 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by artbyjody

I sail mine up to 30 knots before I even consider reefing. Mainly due to the fact this boat is ocean rated and really drives well. The key to comfortable cruising with pounding and heeling is just knowing when to spill the wind. Then again also displacement and tonnage come to mind and at 16500 tons and 7'9 draft... makes a huge difference on it. My Catalina 27 if the wind got to 15 knots I'd just drop the sails and motor...

That's one heavy boat ya got there Jody....

OH to answer the OP's question......Apparently not befor at least 1 year of ownership....

SVCarolena · #5 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008

If I have to question whether it is too windy and rough to go out, then it is too windy and rough to go out.

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008

25 knots and 4-6 foot seas are just starting to be fun conditions IMHO... Most of my friends and guests likes sailing in conditions like that and worse.

But we're all crazy.

My favorite days are the ones with 20-25 knots of wind and 4-6 seas... If the wind picks up much more, I'll start to reef down the sails. In fact, I just had a third reefing point added to the mainsail, since we sail in what most people call horrible conditions so often.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrB

Here is one of those open end general questions that folks can weigh in one with all the caveats:

When is there too much much wind or seas to go out for you?

For me and our 33 ft boat its around 25 kts with 4 to 6 foot seas. Not that I can't do it, I, and most of my friends and guests, find it not enjoyable after a while. The boat will handle it fine, but after a while the constant pounding and motion becomes tiresome. 25 kts in flat seas is okay by itself, but not much more. Seas over 6 feet, no matter how optimal the wind (for our boat) is just not fun for the Admiral, me , and any of our crew.

My optimal range is 10 to 15 kts of steady breeze. Basically I hate reefing a lot. Once over 20, I need to do something with the sails to correct the helm. 0 to 1 foot seas with 15 kt steady winds is heaven.

DrB

jimmalkin · #7 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008

Interesting question, indeed. For me there are a lot of variables - I won't go out if I have to slam closehauled into 30+ knots of air with large seas (things break,) but I will go out if it's off the nose in those conditions. SD makes an interesting point, though, there are crew who will go out and enjoy a bash and there are crew who aren't comfortable if it's cold, rainswept or blowing like stink. I guess my answer would depend on where I was, where I was headed and who was around for crew. Having said all of that, I'd prefer leaving the 40+ knots of wind to those occasions when I'm in the middle of a passage and have no choice in the matter!

FarCry · #8 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008

The simple initial question garners a less simple answer from me...it depends. Who will be on the boat?
Newbies who have never sailed before but are comfortable on boats = Up to 20kts and 5' seas.
Newbies who are not real comfortable on the water = Up to 15kts and 3' seas
Other sailors = Up to 30kts and 8' seas
It also depends on why we would be going out. For example, if it is just a daysail to get off the rock, than we can go out into conditions when small craft warnings are issued. Of course we are not headed into the open sea and know where the protected waters are and pick our destinations accordingly. If we have visitors with limited time I will push a little harder to get them out to some good beaches/bars/snorkeling etc... If we need to get to a race or to get home then we pretty much will go out in anything less than a tropical storm.

Generally if I think I need to reef on the dock then I usually don't go because it will probably be too rough out for it to truly be relaxing. Which sort of defeats the purpose in going out, at least for me anyway.

johnshasteen · #9 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008

If there aren't Gale Flags flying at the Coast Guard station, we'll go sailing.

zz4gta · #10 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008

Depends on the number and experience of my crew. If the crew is seasoned, 25-30kts and 4' seas are ok, and a flat out blast off the wind surfing the waves. If its my mother and sister (don't sail) then I'd probably not take them out in over 18kts b/c I'd be basically single handing the boat.
Its all about the crew.