3 foot seas..8 seconds apart ..decisions, decisions..

[Nick70]

In Beaufort Nc, was planning on heading to Ocracoke tomorrow. Supposed to be 3 foot and 8 sec spread. Seems borderline..lol. I enjoy cruising rollers4+ with over 10 sec but I’m not sure how it’ll be tomorrow.. just throwing it out there. If it’s a no go, I’ll turn tail and head back up to the Neuse. There’s definitely worse things to do

 

[Lazy Daze]

What model boat? Your signature doesn't mention it.

 

[Nick70]

What model boat? Your signature doesn't mention it.

It doesn’t? I see the thumbnail etc..
It’s a 2006 260DA Sundancer..28 loa
496mag.
She’s pretty robust for a ‘lake boat’..been through some decent snot all over the northeast.

 

[El Capitan]

Just went out in 4-6 at 4-6 seconds. No white caps. Every once in awhile we’d see a big one and had to make sure our angle of entry was just so w speed.

We finally decided to drift. The boat was a 23ft Sea Hunt. Did very well.

I’ve seen and boarded a recent model 260. I don’t think anything more than 3’s at 6-8 seconds would be comfortable.

 

[dtfeld]

Inside or outside the inlets? Could go either way.

If outside, the wind direction and tide getting out of the inlet and back in the other one would be big factors more than 3' ers

 

[Lazy Daze]

It doesn’t? I see the thumbnail etc..
It’s a 2006 260DA Sundancer..28 loa
496mag.
She’s pretty robust for a ‘lake boat’..been through some decent snot all over the northeast.

260DA is listed under "previous", but in your "main signature", below your name/pic, it only says "Sundancer" - not what model... although there is a lot of info about the electronics that you have...

I think a lot of this has to do with what you're comfortable with. The boat will take it - but you'll definitely be playing with the throttle and trim a good amount - keep the bow down so it can slice through the chop better. Check the weather - make sure it's not going to get worse on your return trip. If it's not supposed to get worse and you head out and you're feeling on the edge of your comfort level, turn back. You can't "guarantee" that it won't get worse and you don't want to head out right on the edge of your comfort level.

 

[Four Suns]

If you are going on the outside, that is a rough body of water... Why don't you just go on the inside? Ocracoke inlet? Really?

 

[tc410]

Here on Lake Michigan, we’d give anything to have 3’s at 8 seconds. Our 3’s at 3 seconds are jawbreakers. I’ve found if the seconds exceed double the height, I’ll go out.

 

[Nick70]

If you are going on the outside, that is a rough body of water... Why don't you just go on the inside? Ocracoke inlet? Really?

On the inside from Beaufort to Ocracoke, it’s all extremely shallow. I’ve been looking at the charts and it would be like going through a minefield.
If I do it tomorrow, I’ll head back up Adam’s creek. Hook right on the Neuse, and cruise through Pamlico sound.

 

[Nick70]

260DA is listed under "previous", but in your "main signature", below your name/pic, it only says "Sundancer" - not what model... although there is a lot of info about the electronics that you have...

I think a lot of this has to do with what you're comfortable with. The boat will take it - but you'll definitely be playing with the throttle and trim a good amount - keep the bow down so it can slice through the chop better. Check the weather - make sure it's not going to get worse on your return trip. If it's not supposed to get worse and you head out and you're feeling on the edge of your comfort level, turn back. You can't "guarantee" that it won't get worse and you don't want to head out right on the edge of your comfort level.

Yeah that’s what I’m thinking. Best case it is 3’ with 8sec..but things change and most likely not to 1’ seas either. I’ve been out there enough to know it should be avoided.
Thanks

 

[Nick70]

Inside or outside the inlets? Could go either way.

If outside, the wind direction and tide getting out of the inlet and back in the other one would be big factors more than 3' ers

Was thinking about going outside..not enough water on the inside from Beaufort to Ocracoke.

 

[JHornsby3]

Here in this part of the left coast, 3@8 is a very calm day. I check several times a week and am keeping a log to compare from year to year. I can't find any 3' waves in a year. And when the salmon are running, guys in as little as a 12' dingy will be out fishing. Waves over 10' then the bar gets closed.

 

[Shoyrtt]

Here in this part of the left coast, 3@8 is a very calm day. I check several times a week and am keeping a log to compare from year to year. I can't find any 3' waves in a year. And when the salmon are running, guys in as little as a 12' dingy will be out fishing. Waves over 10' then the bar gets closed.

I agree but tend to follow the general guideline that if the swell is half of duration or more and you are heading directly into the swell stay home. So a 3’ to 4’ West swell at 6 seconds is not going to be fun if you are heading straight at it. If the swell is at your back, enjoy the ride. When we relocated my boat last summer from Northern to Southern California we had a southwest swell pushing us the whole way and averaged 20+ knots hauling the mail

 

[JHornsby3]

Up here you can almost bank on 4' at 16 to 18 seconds. And an evening of 6' at 13 to 18 seconds. I have seen a few days of great sunny days and warm coastal temp with seas of 12' at 13 seconds. The bar was closed and the CG had to pilot a few in. If I have to go out and there is anything 8' or larger I'll head to the river. Very rarely have I seen anything under 10 seconds on the central coast. I watch hard for a few days before and check weather every hour and forecasts before I will hook the hitch up. If I think it might be rough, I won't leave the driveway and make the drive over the coastal range. I can make it there and back in one day and still be in the daylight for towing. I just don't like to practice towing through some of the small towns with narrow streets and a wide load.

 

[mquiet]

Really you can do either. Inside you have plenty of water for your draft. Sailboats and trawlers do it all year. Outside 3@6 is fine. Since you are heading north it will be a following sea once you get around Cape lookout shoal. Don't try to cut it if you don't have local knowledge go around. You should be good to go.

 

[dtfeld]

On the inside from Beaufort to Ocracoke, it’s all extremely shallow. I’ve been looking at the charts and it would be like going through a minefield.
If I do it tomorrow, I’ll head back up Adam’s creek. Hook right on the Neuse, and cruise through Pamlico sound.

That seems the prudent way to go, Navionics at least from a preliminary planning point, shows a well marked channel up Adams Creek into the open waters of the sound. Looks like plenty of water for a 26' with an outdrive.

Ive run out there in a 26' Shamrock from Oriental. The issue always is are the bouys where they are supposed to be and any recent shoaling. A call to the CG and destination would get you some updated/local knowledge. I think that run was 3-4 hours, so this looks like an all day trip!!!

 

[Four Suns]

On the inside from Beaufort to Ocracoke, it’s all extremely shallow. I’ve been looking at the charts and it would be like going through a minefield.
If I do it tomorrow, I’ll head back up Adam’s creek. Hook right on the Neuse, and cruise through Pamlico sound.

I was referring to the Adam's Creek to Neuse River route. I've done that many times in my 480 and the only slow part is the never ending no-wake zone in Adam's Creek. Other than that, lots of deep water and full speed ahead. Going into Ocracoke from the Pamlico side is tricky but very well marked. Can't imagine using the ocean side inlet there. A few miles north is the Hatteras inlet from the ocean side which is well marked because the have a sport fishing fleet there that uses it but probably should follow someone or have some local knowledge. Was just down there and went fishing out of that inlet on a 48' boat.

 

[doozie]

Four Sons, great to see you back, I miss your adventures

 

[Nick70]

That seems the prudent way to go, Navionics at least from a preliminary planning point, shows a well marked channel up Adams Creek into the open waters of the sound. Looks like plenty of water for a 26' with an outdrive.

Ive run out there in a 26' Shamrock from Oriental. The issue always is are the bouys where they are supposed to be and any recent shoaling. A call to the CG and destination would get you some updated/local knowledge. I think that run was 3-4 hours, so this looks like an all day trip!!!

View attachment 108727

That’s exactly the way I went.

 

[Nick70]

I was referring to the Adam's Creek to Neuse River route. I've done that many times in my 480 and the only slow part is the never ending no-wake zone in Adam's Creek. Other than that, lots of deep water and full speed ahead. Going into Ocracoke from the Pamlico side is tricky but very well marked. Can't imagine using the ocean side inlet there. A few miles north is the Hatteras inlet from the ocean side which is well marked because the have a sport fishing fleet there that uses it but probably should follow someone or have some local knowledge. Was just down there and went fishing out of that inlet on a 48' boat.

Yep. I had traveled south from Oriental through Adam’s creek to get to Beaufort. I was hoping on making a loop. Decided against it, and went back up Adams. Didn’t end up going to Ocracoke again, as I’d been there a week prior via the pamlico. Nice run though. I’m new to the area and trying to gain local knowledge. Thanks for the insights.