Wind Waves Plus Swell - How Big Is Too Big?

CATCH AND EAT · 07-02-2003, 12:52 PM

I am with Salmonator on the 3ft chop deal. The more spacing between larger swells the better. You can have 10ft swells out there and 12 seconds between them and have a decent day as long as there is no chop. 5 ft swells and 6 seconds is not comfortable either.

Just use your head and find your personal comfort level. Watch other boats. If you see the 30footers turning around you should follow suit. Stay safe.

puffins crew · 07-02-2003, 01:07 PM

Please DONT GO OUT ALONE!!! Have one of the salty dogs go with you, and coach you thru.

I do not have any boat driving time, but we do not go out alone.

And have a working radio on board.

Safety first.

Peace, Tom

ChinookSlayer · 07-02-2003, 11:22 PM

As the title states, what is your limit for wind waves, swell, and the combination? There is also the seconds between the swells. How close is too close?

Personally, I have a 20' sled with 34" sides. I can read the weather reports, but I don't have any first hand experience as to what I should stay away from! This is my second year of owning the boat, and I have some experience in navigating through "big" water on the CR (afternoon ebbs can get nasty), but no personal experience on the big blue.

What kind of boat do you have, and what are your limits for posted ocean conditions?

I am intending to make it out for the Coho this year (from Newport), and I am just wanting to have an enjoyable trip.

Salmonator · 07-02-2003, 11:47 PM

In a sled, anything over 3' will be bumpy. I don't even like to be in 3' chop in the trophy. I think you just need to go out over the bar a few times (on a good forcast) and see for yourself but just stay in close if you aren't real comfortable. After awhile you'll get a good feel for the forcast and whether or not you want to try getting out.

Aqua-Holic · 07-02-2003, 11:55 PM

CS......to answer your question I've seen two "rules of thumb". wind wave and swell-10ft and wind and swell-30ft....all boats and operators are different and if you have a jet once your stern is out you'll have little or no control...as you probably know.

Orca · 07-03-2003, 05:50 AM

Slayer,

I am heading out at about 6:15 - 6:30 on Saturday the 5th. The dang forecast is up to a "9" for Saturday now, but I see the wind has been dropping at the jetty in the early morning, then picking up about noon. If the swell is really a 4 or 5, then things should be real nice in the morning for fishing.

Re:Play · 07-03-2003, 06:09 AM

I run a 19' Arima. Without challenging conditions that are beyond safe, we use a general guide of swell + windwave needs to be 8' or less. What C & E says on timing is very important. Also, you will notice that the wind often changes and becomes stronger after time changes especially after noon. Looking at the buoy reports on the noaa web site will show the conditions for the past day or 2 on an hourly basis. Also the conditions at the bouy out a couple hundred miles often end up at the coast not too much later.

Some of the conditions around 8' combined are often more uncomfortable, than unsafe. It is hard to stand up with out holding on, and it takes longer to get where you are going.