safe sea conditions

E

exrescueswimmer

New Member
Jul 17, 2011
32
Pompano Beach, fl
Boat Info
2003 360 Sundancer
Engines
8.1l Mercruisers inboard with v-drives
so the weather is not really cooperating this weekend - winds 14 - 19 knots and seas 3 - 5 feet...
I'm curious what everyone considers 'acceptable' to go out in?
I haven't really built up my frame of reference yet ...
 
I was out in 8-10's a couple weeks ago...don't go in those!! :thumbsup: However, with the size of your boat, 3-5's shouldn't be a big deal. Won't be an overly comfortable ride for anything long distance, but I wouldn't say its enough to keep you at the dock either.
 
I would build up that "frame of reference" slooooowwwly and make sure that you are within your, and more importantly HER comfort range. I bought a boat once from a guy who terrified his wife and daughter so bad in a storm that they would never go out again.
 
:)
Techmitch, I can take a razzin' with the best of 'em!
I'm an ex-Navy guy so I've actually been in some pretty harry stuff...just not when i had to pick up the tab for any bad choices! :)
 
Depends on the direction doesn't it. One to three going into them is good even with an occasional four footer. Following seas are much softer. Two to four or even four to five on the stern are not a problem for good, seaworthy hulls. We routinely run long distances in fairly large (4+') following seas. It helps if you have a good autopilot as it is much less tiring to let the computer drive the boat. You need to build helm time to gain experience. Practice on a warm, sunny day close to your home port to get the feel of how your boat handles in rough water conditions.
 
Wind and sea direction...........and boat size. While 15-20 and 4 ft seas is a normal day at the beach for some of us, it can be a good reason to stay at the dock for smaller boats.
 
I was told once by a seasoned boater that the boat has bigger cajones then you do... but let your head make the right decision... it is all in what you are comfortable with. i have been out in 5 to 7's before just to see what its like. Now its been there done that got the T-shirt I'll just sit at the dock...

Be safe,
Jason
 
We stop at 6 foot rollers when doing open crossing of 50 miles. If the tops are blowing off them we do not go. If you loose a motor in 6 foot waves it could be very interesting. I like 3 feet and less. Have grab bag with a hand held GPS and VHF radio in it. Never had to use mine but nice to know it is there. If we go into the waves like to go 12 knots or so as it pushes the back of the boat down and makes it feel more stable. If they are from behind like to go a bit faster than them so they do not crash onto the stern. On the beam we stop at 3 feet and angle into the waves.
 
Here's one of my favorite sayings: "the fine art of boat is to have the knowledge, skills and experience, to stay out of situations where you need to use knowledge, skills and experience.". You can also substitute "boating" with "marriage":grin:. It really means know your limits and push up to them over time. The conditions you describe should be a non issue with minimal experience, especially given your background.

Another common saying for us recreational boaters is that the boat can usually handle more than the skipper. A big part of that is the ability to keep your cool in adversarial situations. Again, if you were a rescue swimmer, this shouldn't be an issue.

Up to short-chop six footers are the 'normal' bad conditions that we'd encounter and have to deal with over the course of the summer. Several times, we've had to deal with 10 footers (breaking) and the absolute worst I've had to deal with were 14 footers - which we were stupid to be out in - and during which, my most prevalent concern was 'what happens to my family if I have a heart attack at the wheel'. For the truly brave, feel free to call me a wuss, but not conditions I ever want to find myself in again. The 14 footers were also in my previous 42' express cruiser.

It also depends on what else is happening - rain, lightening risk, inlets you might have to negotiate coming home, potential for dealing with 'freaked out' passengers or pets, darkness, fog...

Work yourself up to it and remember, this is supposed to be 'pleasure boating'.

Enjoy!
Paul
 
Do what I am going to do since our forecast is similar for Saturday.

Stay home.

Work around the house.

Go out Sunday when the weather is better. You have to learn, but, you can do it slowly in lesser sea conditions.
 
so I took the boat out and it really wasn't unsafe - boat handled it well! It almost became an event, though, because the port engine cut out at one point but fired right back up - no idea why. It would have been a lot more difficult one one engine! Which is a really good point to consider - when making your decision to go/no go, remember that you may not be operating in ideal conditions at all times. I was taking the waves slightly off the stbd bow - if i had to turn around in following seas on one engine - unpleasant!

Like Jackie said, it's pleasure boating - but i'd go again in 3 - 5 (seemed like more). There were a few that were a lot more than that, though - just secure the vodka for sea!
Take care of your gear - your gear'll take care of you...
 
We try to keep the boat with all gear secure when we start out. All loose material in galley goes in the sink, computer and small stuff go on the floor in the cabin and things on the back deck are in boxes or tied down. This is because once we tried to cross 20 miles in an area where 3 flows met waves. We had waves in all directions some 8+ feet. After we got into the area things fell over and onto the floor. If you boat with some one they should know how to run the boat. Perhaps not as well as you but they should be able to speed up slow down, change gears, stear, land (few bumps in landing OK), start engines and use the VHF radio. You may not like how they do it but if you are in the water or incapacitated you will be happy of their skills.
 
Really depends on wave height, period and direction and your speed. I've been beat senseless in 4' to 6' in Tampa Bay and enjoyed the ride in 10' to 12' rollers with a long period 90 miles offshore. Was able to make 18 knots between Key West and Marco in 6' seas with no problem as the wave period was long on the waves were quartering to port.

Your boat does have limits, but you and your passengers will meet your own limit long before you stress the boat. I will say though, Gel Coat will crack if you flex that thing hard enough. I noticed a few small cracks above the deck joint after a particularly hard pounding that I should have avoided.

As a couple have noted, ease into it. As you become more comfortable, and frankly; figure out what you are willing to take, you can increase your exposure. When it's not fun anymore or you are feeling out of your depth of experience, you've crossed the line.
 
northern said:
We try to keep the boat with all gear secure when we start out. All loose material in galley goes in the sink............./QUOTE]

Good point. I always stow the glass part of the coffee maker under the bed and padded with pillows. They are impossible to replace if you don't have spares.
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sbw1 said:
northern said:
We try to keep the boat with all gear secure when we start out. All loose material in galley goes in the sink............./QUOTE]

Good point. I always stow the glass part of the coffee maker under the bed and padded with pillows. They are impossible to replace if you don't have spares.
Click to expand...

I bought one that is SS instead of glass. Already paid for itself at least 6 times.......
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We took out the 300 last weekend in a sustained 25-35 mph wind with gusts to 50mph. Wanted to see how it would handle it. In following seas, it handled the 4-6 footers just fine. Heading back into the waves was miserable. Coming out of the harbor, a deep swell brought us down and the port prop contacted a rock. Had to make the trip back with one engine and close capping waves that occasionally measured over 8 feet. Next time I will stay home in those conditions, things could have gotten bad if both drives had hit bottom.
 
Skeetobite said:
Really depends on wave height, period and direction and your speed. I've been beat senseless in 4' to 6' in Tampa Bay and enjoyed the ride in 10' to 12' rollers with a long period 90 miles offshore. .
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I experienced this two weeks ago for the Flugtag. The Bay was nasty and we stuffed the bow a few times on the way home with 6+ foot floolowing seas. I agree, one motor would have made the ride an experince you wouldn't forget. It's all up to the captain and how bad you want to beat on your boat.
 
worzy1014 said:
We took out the 300 last weekend in a sustained 25-35 mph wind with gusts to 50mph. Wanted to see how it would handle it. In following seas, it handled the 4-6 footers just fine. Heading back into the waves was miserable. Coming out of the harbor, a deep swell brought us down and the port prop contacted a rock. Had to make the trip back with one engine and close capping waves that occasionally measured over 8 feet. Next time I will stay home in those conditions, things could have gotten bad if both drives had hit bottom.
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This is exceptionally dangerous. Glad you're ok. When I first got my boat, I found myself in a similar situation. I was on plane (probably 18 knots), came off the top of a wave and stuffed the bow into the bottom of the next. I was in 4' to 6' seas and operating in 8' to 10' of water. I took that wave through the bridge (first time out in rough conditions). I could see the bottom clearly at the bow through what little water was left. I dropped off plane immediately and made 8 knots for safe harbor about a mile away.

A stiff drink and change of shorts later, I chalked it up to experience and moved on.
 
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