A quick question

[Keith]

We have owned our 50' Hatteras for four years now. Only motored on San Francisco Bay and the Delta. I am planning to take her down to Monterey this evening, a trip of about 100 miles. Sea conditions are 4 - 6 foot swells 8 - 9 second intervals with wind waves of 2 - 3 feet. How do you think the Hatt will take this? The winds and waves are coming from the northwest and we will be traveling south. I've sailed to Hawaii and back three times so have a bit of ocean experience but only on a sailboat. What should I expect?

Keith
Lady J

 

[Sparky1]

You should expect not worrying about spilling your beer. Have fun.

 

[Will]

That is one of my favorite trips. You'll love it as much as we do on our Hatteras 43'. The Potato Patch is the bumpy part best transited on an incoming tide.
Will

 

[spartonboat1]

Running in 4-6' seas at sub-20kt cruise in your 50 footer I would the major concern would be falling asleep from the gentle rocking, at least in a head sea. I have a 43' and 3-5's at 13kts put my grandson to sleep in the helm side chair while my 5' tall Admiral was at the wheel. Yes, we did throw some spray. Have it on tape.

Make sure you have adequate fuel!

 

[GJH]

Having made that trip a few times, and in fact am out here now, I will be interested in how he did. That is a quartering sea with those winds and the wind waves on top of the swell can set up an uncomfortable motion. On the other hand, driving across the GG Bridge this afternoon, thence up the coast north of Bodega Bay, conditions didn't look as bad as the forecast; winds were relatively light. But it is forecast to get much more sporty tomorrow with gale warnings posted.

 

[Keith]

Thanks for the input. After checking the NOAA weather I canceled my trip for this weekend. They are showing 20 - 30 knots of wind gusting to 40 knots with combined seas to 11 feet at 8 second intervals. This would have been our first offshore trip and I want that one to be as stress free as possible.

Keith
Lady J

 

[spartonboat1]

Thanks for the input. After checking the NOAA weather I canceled my trip for this weekend. They are showing 20 - 30 knots of wind gusting to 40 knots with combined seas to 11 feet at 8 second intervals. This would have been our first offshore trip and I want that one to be as stress free as possible.

Keith
Lady J

Wow, with that forecast, sounds like a wise decision. I would absolutely not go with that forecast.

To paraphrase a quote from an old Great Lakes Ship Captain "I may be in, when I should be out, but I am never out, when I should be in". (I think what I read on the wall of a restaurant in St. Ignace, MI). He had been brought up on charges for damages to his ship, which occurred when running before a storm. It turned out that one of the crew had taken pictures of the sea conditions, and they were presented at the hearing. After he was found innocent, they gave him a medal, because he had done so well, under such rough conditions.