Sea State

[Biggles]

This is a question for the more adventurous and experienced RIB owners on RIB NET.

Looking at the weather for this weekend it is due to be a Force 4 gusting to Force 5 on the Solent.

I have been mucking around in some lumpy seas lately (Typical English weather), in my small craft and am now beginning to gain some confidence.

When I go out on a nice calm day I can obviously floor it and go hell for leather. I've, obviously found that in the rougher seas I have to slow down considerably, usually to about 10 Knots and just ride over the waves. I find if I go any faster my boat slams down on the waves and my back starts to jar. If I try and floor it I do okay for a while then I hit a rogue wave and regret it so I just throttle back to about 10 Knots.

My question is:-

Should I be going out in these sea states in my craft and if so what sort of speed should I be looking at maintaining.

The reason I ask is that I go out with friends in their own boat and they usually go a bit faster than me. Am I being a bit chicken or more realistic with my boats capabilities.

Also:- What size of a boat do you need to be able to drive like a maniac in rough seas.

Any answers would be appreciated.

Nick R

[tue]

Originally Posted by Biggles

Also:- What size of a boat do you need to be able to drive like a maniac in rough seas.

Any answers would be appreciated.

Nick R

That depends.
1.How long do you want to live?
2.How many lifeboat men are you willing to risk to come and find you?
3.How long do you want your RIB to last?

[Richard B]

This is a "how long is a piece of string" question!

Originally Posted by Biggles

Should I be going out in these sea states in my craft

Nick, I think that the best answer is that you should only go out in sea states that you're happy with.

...and if so what sort of speed should I be looking at maintaining.

Whatever speed you and your crew are happy and comfortable with.

Also:- What size of a boat do you need to be able to drive like a maniac in rough seas.

Mmmm, as the sea gets rougher, bigger heavier boats are generally more comfortable, but differing sea states can sometimes suit smaller boats. It's surprising how capable a small RIB can be in a very heavy (F6+) sea. But for Solent chop and F4-6, 6.5m+ can usually keep up a good speed. Having said that, we plodded through some steep rolling waves off Bembridge at 10kts last weekend as it was the most comfortable thing to do. Then thrashed through some breaking waves at 35kts because it was exciting but comfortable and safer than having them break over us.

But before you go out to test your RIB in F6+ I suggest doing a few things: 1. Do the RYA advanced powerboat course to learn the basics of heavy weather handling 2. Do some longer cruising in bigger RIBs 3. See a Psychiatrist

[Biggles]

With regards the Psychiatrist, I'm way past that, and any way they are only nothing people.

Also last week I was out by Bembridge ina Force 5 + and it took me 1 1/2 hrs to get to Warsash. I hated every minute of it, but at least now I know I and my boat can do it. I must remember to wear my Drysuit though. Comfort seems to make all the difference.

Nick R

[Andy]

On every trip out, no matter what the weather, its about getting to your destination safely without damaging either you, your passengers or your craft. You will know when you are going to fast for the conditions. You & passengers will hurt, and you may all be struggling to stay in the boat.

Every boat handles differently in rough seas, it depends on so many things, not just size .. trim, load, wind direction, tide, wavelength of the chop, and greatly the skill of the cox to read the sea conditions and act accordingly.

I have seen small boats do lots better against a head on sea than a large one. The Weymouth cruise a year or so back was a good example, where the small boats could get home, and the larger ones stayed in port.

Just do what feels right in your craft and you will do ok.

One word of warning, if you do go out in rougher seas and you run with a following sea, the ride can feel very smooth. However a following sea can catch out even the best cox. Also remember you have to turn round and get home, against a head on chop!

[Biggles]

Andy

Following seas are very misleading. It becomes a battle between not jumping over the wave your on and getting dumped on by the wave behind.

Never a problem as long as you are aware of it, until your engine stops. But always a worrying sea.

Nick R

[Bajan]

Originally Posted by Andy

Every boat handles differently in rough seas, it depends on so many things, not just size .. trim, load, wind direction, tide, wavelength of the chop, and greatly the skill of the cox to read the sea conditions and act accordingly.

I have seen small boats do lots better against a head on sea than a large one. The Weymouth cruise a year or so back was a good example, where the small boats could get home, and the larger ones stayed in port.

So true Andy!
I came back from Portsmouth today in slightly less than Force 6 moderate to rough sea state in a crossing sea. Not the worst chop or highest wind we've been out in, but what a pain to travel in. As you said different factors/ingredients cause a completely different terrain altogether.

What fun

[swginn]

Just came back from being out in a F6. 6 metre rib, provided plenty of comfort. Got caught out in some confused water coming into an inlet. Ended up about 4 feet out of the water prop spinning in fresh air . Landed, the driver (a friend, testing out the new purchase!!) slowed down to recover and lets just say we all got wet . What a laugh!!

On a serious note we were cruising at 30 kts for most of the night, but it all depends on the wave and the one ahead of that, and the one ahead of that. We were out in an F6 as well 2 days ago and could only manage 18kts. There's no rule as the others said. Obviously we had to slow to 10 kts at some instances to avoid taking off or landing .

I would agree with all of the above. And remember your crew will never feel as safe as you do!! At the end of the day, getting there 2 hrs late is a hell of a lot better than not getting there at all!!

[Daniel TD5]

my first time out in a force 4 i came back in after ten minutes put the boat back on the car and went home untill next time i went out of levington
with wayne phil daves and peter. the more the merryer it was force 4/5 for that day i found it hard going but just went very slow not up on the plane just potter ring along at my own speed and felt very happy and in control
found the hole trip good fun at my speed they were all waiting for me at the
end and came back to check i was ok from time to time

dan

[Matt]

You're all wusses!!

[Richard B]

Poked your nose out of the Solent this season then, Mat?

Taken Distant Grumble out in more than "sea state calm/slight"?

[Matt]

It's not the only boat I've ever been on ya know.

[Richard B]

The Sharpe wasn't a boat - it was a bucket with a plank for re-inforcement!

[Matt]

Feck no, it was far worse than that. That really was a boat you didn't want to get caught out in.

[Richard B]

[Matt]

DR will be going to the CI and back at some point.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by MadMat

...at some point.

From Poole????

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by MadMat

DR will be going to the CI and back at some point.

About the same time that the Eurocommuter does!

John

[Louise]

[Andre]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

About the same time that the Eurocommuter does!

John

John

Funny you should mention the the Eurocommuter. Anyone heard from Crazyhorse cos he has not been on RibNet for a very long time

Andre