Storm Doris and Channel Sailors

[Dockhead]

Channel sailors will want to get well buttoned down as the edge of Storm Doris sweeps through later today. Force 10 is predicted. Force 10 against the tide in the Channel is a survival situation -- you do not want to be out in that. The deadly '79 Fastnet storm was a F10.

I can hardly imagine what's going on on the Western Coast of Ireland today. God help anyone caught out in the Western Approaches.

Be careful out there!

[El Pinguino]

Not too many out and about in those waters on a *good* day in Feb.... only 3 mad hollanders underway on marinetraffic just now and they are well inshore...

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

Not too many out and about in those waters on a *good* day in Feb.... only 3 mad hollanders underway on marinetraffic just now and they are well inshore...

Something about mad dogs and Englishmen?

I'll be sailing this weekend

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Something about mad dogs and Englishmen?

Did I miss the verse about go out in the winter storm?

[boatman61]

Should be bouncy with winds from 15 to 30kts SW forecast in the Channel.. you headed for Cherbourg or playing in the Solent.???

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Should be bouncy with winds from 15 to 30kts SW forecast in the Channel.. you headed for Cherbourg or playing in the Solent.???

F7 is OK in the Channel on my boat. 60 miles to C-bourg is not too far, to get so worn out in such conditions. I'll go there and stock up on stinky cheese, unless my crew gets queasy, in which case we might hang out in the Solent.


This is what is on today:


Selsey Bill to Lyme Regis
Strong winds are forecast
24 hour forecast:
Wind
Westerly or southwesterly 7 to severe gale 9, increasing storm 10 for a time near Selsey Bill, veering northwesterly 4 or 5 later.
Sea state
Rough or very rough, becoming slight or moderate later.
Weather
Rain and drizzle at first.
Visibility
Moderate or poor, becoming good.

[boatman61]

A Friday avo run for Cherbourg looks good with WF4-F3 then going to SW and strengthening.. fast run back before the wind on Sunday with 25-30kts from SW..

[nigel1]

Here's bouncy, this was last month.
WATCH: North Sea Platform and Accommodation Rig Take HUGE Wave – gCaptain

We're currently sitting out near the Beryl Field to the East of the Shetlands, just had one big depression pass by, looks like Doris will miss us.

[moseriw]

Just a dumb question to the audiance. I had 61 knots gusts in a force elven at the mediterranean and in a mistral . right south between mallorca and sardinia. Course strait Cabo de Gata Spain to Northern Sicily.

Well OK it was rough with waves upto 24 ft. but we always felt comfortable on my 47 ft Vagabond Blue Water Cruiser, longkeel with 20 tons on the hook.

What is the problem in teh channel? The tide and shallow water (short steep waves) or what else?

Thank you for qualified input - willing to learn...

[Hoofsmit]

Yep, wind against tide, it gives a very short period
And don't believe the tide moves like a table cloth! the compression of the rates around headlands and over falls make for lively conditions !

I did several trips round the corner to the Isles of Scilly in faster motorcruisers, the stand waves on the overfalls off the Lizard are unnerving in a force2 !

[moseriw]

Thank you hoofsmit,
so if you are lucky an the tide runs with the wind and you manage to reach destination in time... but if it turns over... your in a mess..

[Hoofsmit]

It's called planning and why we use a tidal stream atlas
But it depends on where in the channel you decide to go, it's not all horrific and a lot of ' hidy holes'
Thankfully ... there are a few generations that have 'gone before' and write widely about their experience .... we have the big boys like imrays and admiralty and Hydrographic office, plus the really helpful and entertaining books like The shell pilot by good old Tom Cunliffe
And if you are a real pro like Dockhead you buy Neptune software that tells you when's best time to go !

[Hoofsmit]

This is what we get with a F11

[moseriw]

Outch but the pic is fooling - this is breakwater. But thank you very much for your input hoofsmit proofs what I'm saing. When xou lern to sail keep in mind it is 90% weather knowledge and from this again 90% weather knowledge. Remains are 5 knots, colregs to know every bloody screw on your ship caution, caution, thinking forward ANd then forward preparation.. what do I do if (my engine fails, someone goes over board etc...) and a solution oriented thinking.

THANK YOU hoofsmit

[conachair]

Originally Posted by moseriw

Outch but the pic is fooling - this is breakwater. But thank you very much for your input hoofsmit proofs what I'm saing. When xou lern to sail keep in mind it is 90% weather knowledge and from this again 90% weather knowledge. Remains are 5 knots, colregs to know every bloody screw on your ship caution, caution, thinking forward ANd then forward preparation.. what do I do if (my engine fails, someone goes over board etc...) and a solution oriented thinking.

THANK YOU hoofsmit

Not really a fooling pic........
https://youtu.be/m7RSryuJAwE