Ocean Condition Rule of Thumb?

Master Baiter · 04-12-2003, 09:15 AM

Good Morning Salties,

Today is the day that my local waters out front open up, we had awesome conditions all week while I worked and naturally a storm came in last night. The current condition and forecast does not seem too bad, 8-10' swell at 13 seconds and wind waves at 1-3'. Swell is tall but period is long!

I have seen discussion of a rule of thumb about adding the numbers together, could someone please re-enlighten me of the rule? I searched for it but to no avail!

Thank You,

Thomas

Orca · 04-12-2003, 10:36 AM

A USCG Auxillary rule for Patrols is < 30 for the combination of swell and wind speed.

Other salties here use the swell and wind wave combination. A total of 10 or 11 means folks think about staying off the water. But, it pays to check the ocean bouys to see if the predicted conditions actually materialized the previous day, and whether the trend is going up or down.

Master Baiter · 04-12-2003, 03:13 PM

WP,

Yes, I agree that the "skippers eye" is first sensor! I was looking for a "window of opportunity" filter so that I do not waste my gas driving the coast to see that I should have stayed home.

Thanks,

MB

WP · 04-12-2003, 03:21 PM

WP chuckles...I feel that pain too! It is 1.5 hours each way and a tank of SUV gas to get over to Newport and back. I tend to use the "10" rule and then will ask Wak what the coast looks like (the day before) and gauge from there...still wrong sometimes!
WP
[img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]
:grin: :grin: :grin:

[ 04-12-2003, 04:21 PM: Message edited by: WP ]

WP · 04-12-2003, 11:20 PM

Nothing replaces the skippers eye....look at the swell and chop and feel the wind and make sure you are completely comfortable with the conditions before considering going out. AFTER this, listen to a weather report for any incoming conditions that could effect you and talk with locals about how severe the conditions are. WHEN you are on the ocean, keep your eyes and ears open to changing conditions...if in doubt go back in. No fishing is worth the risk of life and passengers. Have fun but be safe! No "formula is a substitue for personal responsibility for assessment and your level of comfort and skill.
WP
:grin: :grin: :grin:

Albacore Tuna Captain · 04-13-2003, 11:35 PM

No matter what rule you use for gauging the sea conditions, there is one rule you should NEVER break! NEVER NEVER NEVER go out when conditions are predicted to get bad enough that you normally would not go. IF you think you can go out safely and get back before the conditions change, you will be caught flat footed! Never break this rule.

Pilar · 04-14-2003, 06:14 AM

Albacore Tuna Captain .... I could not have said it better myself.

It's not the conditions going out that you need to worry about it's the conditions 4 hours from now.

The '10' rule works well. The other thing I try to do is get a feel for the trend. If it is improving then it is all good. Going on a long trip in deteriorating conditions is not recommended.

Master Baiter · 04-14-2003, 07:16 AM

I heed all of the advice without question! Being an engineer, I am pretty sadistic about following trends and analyzing data. I have been doing it for years with steelhead fishing and now I will be doing for the salt which has a few more variables...

Thanks for the information, I stayed home and worked on some boat rigging projects instead.

MB the hard way!

DriftR · 04-14-2003, 10:08 AM

Albacore Tuna Captain,
That was great advice. I use the 10 approach. Then I go to the buoy reports, then check the coastal weather reports just prior to leaving. But always try to look up current information and use good judgement. That comes from knowledge first hand. Many, many years ago I was a student pilot getting in time on "touch & go" landings. Checked the plane out for 2hrs. Checked weather, marginal. Looked at weather with eyes and said" I can get some landings in before the weather closes". Made two touch and go landings, going up to do the third and noticed, man those clouds are close. I mean real close. Then before I knew it I was in the "soup". Talk about a strange feeling not being able to judge direction and not being instrument trained. Well, I finally got a hole in the soup and put her on the runway. Learned that day never, ever try and estimate weather. Respect it always and you may live another day. Still remember that day very clearly even after 27+ years.