2000SR380
Member
- Feb 17, 2014
- 451
- Boat Info
- 2005 Sea Ray 280 Sundancer, Express Cruiser
- Engines
- Two 5.0L Gas Mercruiser V8, B3 Outdrives
Did not want to highjack the 'Neabsco to Somers Point NJ' thread, but it got me thinking. What do you guys use as a go/no go criteria? I realize that boat condition, size, and type, along with the captains experience and the crew's tolerance will all factor in, but do you guys have a basic formula? For instance : I do not like square waves 6ft swell on 6 seconds is going to be steep and rough. 6 foot waves on 9 seconds and I can travel on plane with a pretty smooth ride. I like the basic formula that if the swell interval is 3 more than the swell height, the wind is less than 20 knots, and the wind waves are less than three feet, you are typically good to go. There are notes of course such as a 15 ft wave on 20 seconds is reasonably comfortable off shore, but can create havoc crossing a bar, or inlet, and warrants extreme caution when close to the shore or shallower water. The closer to no-go I get the more I prefer to go down wind and avoid beam seas. Lightening is a full on 'stay tied to the dock' for me, don't care about rain.