Uneventful Sailing

[Sandydog]

Ok, I know this will be a question determined by so many aspects it may be impossible to say. But, I have a 35 foot pilot house monohull that weighs 14,000 pounds. What do you think is the max wind and sea height that would make an "uneventful" sail?

[Bill O]

What is your boating experience to date?

What is the biggest sea state and wind (in what boat) have you've encountered?

And how long have you owned/sailed this particular boat (what boat is it)?


Is this a solo adventure or will you have experienced crew on the voyage?



Bill O.

[sailorboy1]

Depends on the direction you want to go and the direction the wind/waves are from. other than that it isn't about the boat, it's about you.

But I bet you want a stated number so, 15 knots and 2' seas. That normally is uneventful, but not always.

[mglonnro]

"Events" are so relative! At what wind speed does my dry martini become shaken, not stirred? At what wind speed (and heel angle!) do I drop the olive?

[Tillsbury]

Usually it's about 10kts less wind and a metre of sea state less than you found really concerning last time.

[dougweibel]

Originally Posted by Tillsbury

Usually it's about 10kts less wind and a metre of sea state less than you found really concerning last time.

This is a pretty good answer! Probably not of use to the OP, but a good answer.

On the other hand a day that is near calm with flat water may be "eventful". You never know what is going to happen, good or bad, and if it is going to happen it is going to happen out there

[Fore and Aft]

Wind direction plays a big part as well. Here in Hervey Bay we are open to the north so with any northerly breeze things can get a bit lively with wind against tide. But it can be blowing quite hard from the south and things are fairly calm if you stay close inshore.
Cheers

[Mirage35]

Originally Posted by Tillsbury

Usually it's about 10kts less wind and a metre of sea state less than you found really concerning last time.

Yes, I like this.

We have a 35' boat a bit lighter than the OP's. I would say we now consider 20 - 25 knot winds uneventful, but that sure wasn't the case a couple of years ago.

[barnakiel]

Wind up to 25 kts, waves up to 10 ft non-breaking.


Cheers,
barnakiel

[gamayun]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Wind up to 25 kts, waves up to 10 ft non-breaking.


Cheers,
barnakiel

Sorta depends. I am racing with a friend this Saturday who has never been offshore with me before. I'm expecting gusts to 30 with 7' NW swell plus 2' of S swell. I'm thinking "super uncomfortable but uneventful." My boat is heavier (10 tons) and longer (38 feet of waterline). I would expect conditions like Barnakiel suggests would be "sporty" in your boat, but "eventful" from my perspective is whether things are breaking or not. If you've not been in these conditions before, then you might want to anticipate breaking things. What you break will determine how eventful the trip is...

[sanibel sailor]

"Events" are usually not just weather related. Engine quits, run aground, halyard lets go, phone overboard, crew seasick... All tougher with worse weather, but can be challenging in fine as well.

[Sandydog]

Great replies! I have been small lake sailing for many years. Now I am planning North Carolina coastal sailing. 20 knot winds and three foot seas max. Just wondering.

[Tillsbury]

I would say that 20kt winds and no more than a metre of wave would be an event, certainly. It's called "perfect sailing weather".

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Sandydog

Great replies! I have been small lake sailing for many years. Now I am planning North Carolina coastal sailing. 20 knot winds and three foot seas max. Just wondering.

Easy. Great racing conditions on anything over 20ft where I sail.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Sandydog

Great replies! I have been small lake sailing for many years. Now I am planning North Carolina coastal sailing. 20 knot winds and three foot seas max. Just wondering.

For your boat those conditions will be uneventful. Upwind a little bumpy and splashy, but fun. Off the wind, very nice. But with 20kts and 3' seas you should be ready for double that. Off the wind, still not too bad up to about 35 kts. Upwind, you'll be deeply reefed or you'll say the heck with it and head off, still ok for the boat given it is structurally sound, but you may not find it comfortable.