Your Maximum Wave Height and/or Wind Speed Rule?

S

Smokeyham

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
74
Fluid Motion Model
C-288 C
Vessel Name
Sunny Tug
Hello,

We're about to charter a 2010 [Classic] Ranger 29 Tug out of Bellingham, Washington and would like some advice as to what the maximum wave height and/or wind speed you would recommend taking the boat out in? I've read that the boat will handle a lot more than the humans on board will feel comfortable with, and would love to hear if you have a "rule of thumb" or even an "absolute rule" with regards to what we will hear on the marine weather forecast.

Thanks for your thoughts.
 
We handled 4-6 feet on the beam, crossing the Strait of Georgia in our R-29 classic. It was our first crossing. While we wouldn't choose to go across in those conditions again, we were never worried about the boat. A few hours after arriving in Pender Harbour, during happy hour on the docks, we were so enthralled by where we were that we weren't thinking about the crossing.

Two lessons for us. If bad sea conditions are unavoidable, the boat will get us there. And, that said, stow and secure ship's stores to handle the ride.

Cheers,

Bruce
 
One of those questions with a lot of answers. Water depth as well as wind and fetch will produce a whole range of wave heights shapes and lengths. Currents add another variable. Your experience and skill in reading waves become really significant. Have a look at http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/safe ... ights.html for some ideas.

One thing I will say is that boaters, myself included, often misjudge the height of wave conditions, usually overestimating.
 
If this will be your first time in PNW waters, start easy. Try to go out in not more than 10 to 15 knots of wind the first time. That should give you a comfortable ride. You can work up the wind speed from there until you reach your discomfort level. Be careful of wind against tide situations, that causes the wave peaks to be higher and closer together.
 
The rule on Kismet has been typically been less then 15 knots and 4 feet but that depends. Depends on if we are going with the current and wind...if so then we could tolerate a little more. If its against both then we'd stay put. Additionally it depends on where we are boating....Strait of Georgia with a long fetch, we'd stay home vs the same conditions cruising inside the San Juan Islands we'd most likely make the trip. We feel its important, on Kismet, to have what we call "rules of engagement" in that (as a happy boating couple) we agree to not go out if the winds are above 15 knots or 4 foot waves. Everyone has different tolerances so what is ok for one boater may not be acceptable for another, but the boat can handle it. We've gotten caught in 30 plus knots and 6 to 7 footers in our R27 and although it was uncomfortable for us and we would not have gone out had we had a better forecast the boat did well, much better then us.

Jim
 
Thanks for the great responses.

Last year I chartered an American Tug 365 in the same area, Of course that is a much larger/heavier boat, and handled all of the conditions we encountered very easily. Since we will be in a smaller/lighter boat I wanted to get an idea what is reasonable.
 
So I can easily find wind forecast and have an app for that but how do folks get wave forecasts, and then marry that information with currents?

An admitted new boater here and I am trying to learn as much as possible prior to delivery in early July. We will be in the San Juans frequently so I have the Canadian currents book and Waggoner tables for the area. That is my start, and then am using windfinder pro.

Other ideas are welcomed and any info is helpful. I have Glen from RT going to spend a day with me in the San Juans, and likely 2. I am sure weather will be a part of it but this group also has a lot of experience that I would love to be able to take into account.
 
Larry: That's a good link... 🙂 Thanks for posting.
 
I would think again if a small craft advisory has been posted, but we have been caught out by a bad forecast or three and everything was fine if uncomfortable! As an ex sailor, I have noticed that you don't get the same warning signs of increasing winds while steering from the comfort of indoors with a loud engine thrumming away - and can easily end up in challenging conditions before you know it.
 
Here's a report we check two or three times daily (it's updated overnight, morning, afternoon). It includes the San Juan Island forecast in the previous link, but also gives you the Strait of Juan de Fuca (East entrance is good to have), Admiralty Inlet, and Puget Sound.

Coastal Waters Forecast for WA / Strait of Juan de Fuca / Inland waters of western WA

The WSF Ferry Weather from the U. of WA provides near real-time wind speed/direction from ferrys in Puget Sound, the San Juan, and between Port Townsend and Whidbey.

Cheers,

Bruce
 
There is an Android App called Marine Weather Pro by AccuWeather that I use on my phone and tablet. I find it very useful with these marine overlays:
MinuteCast
Weather Forecasts (marine wave, wind & rain)
Live Station Data
Tide Predictions
Current Predictions
Sun Rise/Set
 
Thanks Dale777. Nice app but I don't see the current prediction layer as a choice. Still, all in all a nice app.
 
We use http://www.windy.com

There are selections to get predicted wave heights as well as actual wind from the wind stations.

Curt
 
When I was in the Coast Guard Auxiliary , regs forbade us to go out if the wind speed plus wave height was greater than 30. THis was in the Santa Barbara channel which can get real narly.
 
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