Rough day on the northshore

[Madifonzo]

Talk about a white knuckle ride...
Marine forecast called for 2-3' seas and 5-10 knot winds. Coming out of Gloucester harbor, on our return from Wingersheek I would say at least six footers and at time felt like 8' and the winds had to be 20-24 knots.
Stuffed the bow more times than I care to admit. The weather even kept the Gloucester Harbor Master from responding to a dingy that was found afloat with no one aboard. Thankfully the coast guard found the dingy and learned it had broken loose from a pier.

Lots of distressful chatter on 16 too.

Strange, the marine forecast site I use is still calling for lower 5-10 knot winds and 2-3' seas while another site I came across is stating small craft advisory.

Lesson learned, check several sites for the weather.

 

[Henry Boyd]

We didn't venture beyond plum island sound because the bay looked really nasty. Despite what the weather service has said I think Cristobal has had more influence than reported. We went over to Annisquam on Thursday and it was pretty rough off Cranes once we got clear of the sandbar.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[AFD]

How did the boat do?
Feeling a little more confident or lucky?

 

[Madifonzo]

The boat did well. Lots of on and off the gas...went through about 20 gallons for a short 10 mile cruise which is double my normal consumption. I feel more confident in handling the boat in those conditions if I had to but would not choose to. It was good to learn the handling characteristics in varying conditions. But I was nervous...especially when tirning south to head to Salem after exiting Gloucester putting the swell directly to beam. I don't know what kind of wave it would take to roll my boat and hope I never find out.

I have been trained in piloting RIBS in heavy surf conditions and those boats instill far more confidence in the handling than my boat.

 

[AFD]

you could go east south east, then west south west, then east south east.....basically tacking like a sail boat to make the beam seas less noticeable, basically taking them on an angle but that isn't exactly comfortable or efficient but would be less scary. glad everything went well in the long run and your "new" drive got you home.

 

[AFD]

This is what I meant.
http://www.boatingmag.com/how-to/tips-tacking-powerboat?src=soc&dom=fb