Limits of the Islands and then some

Hey all
Yesterday the tail end of a Typhoon from South East Asia smacked us hard via the Jet Stream. Recorded Wind gusts a few miles from my home hit 116 kph (73 mph).

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Wind+ ... story.html

I considered going out in the morning, by noon the wind gusts had knocked over my Motor Bike, (at the protected back part of the House).
I watched the wind bend a 100 year old Oak almost to the breaking point.
By afternoon sailing was no longer a possibility or I would have certainly risked my life.

So, what's my point? Well here's my thought on what could be the limit of these boats that we love:

1) Constant winds (Gale Force) can be countered by very skilled sail handling and very conservative furling.

2) Wind Gusts at that peak level, would have taken your boat apart in short order.

3) Even if your rig will last beyond a few blasts after launch, I doubt that the best sailing position anyone could maintain for very long would be to hold the vessel at a reach and spill the gusts by luffing. The idea of going up wind would be almost an impossibility as the wave action and the constant wind force would simply drive you backwards and eventually flip you over. Going downwind...Forget about it.

I know this is usually a place where we talk about wonderful days on the water. It didn't take me long to figure out that if I would have gone out yesterday, I probably would have exceeded at least 3 times the limit of what these boats are designed for.

I'm glad I made the right choice...or I doubt I'd still be here to write this post

Best Regards
Fred

_________________
Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

I reread the front page news from The Victoria, BC newspaper on the 25th:

1) All ferries the next day were cancelled.
2) The winds hit well beyond 110 kph by noon.
3) 275k people lost their power on Vancouver Island.
4) The damage done to the Vancouver Island Region was extensive.

5) That's what you get when you publish a newspaper the night before 'The Event', and depend on Weather Reports based on 12 hour Satellite projections.

(My weather station's Barometer dropped like a rock within a 4 hour period before the next morning)

Yah it's old school, but I've dodged the weather bullet more times than I care to remember before I've sailed or climbed in potentially hostile environments.

Heck, you can even get a watch with one built into it.

Well worth the cost, imho

Fred

_________________
Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

Just in case someone did not get the points:

1) The AI, TI are highly capable fun boats that are designed for 'normal' weather conditions. Yes I've seen all the YouTube footage that I care to watch about 'pushing' these boats beyond the limits (whatever that limit might be for you, your boat's condition or your own condition and sailing experience level)

2) Sailing skills are also highly dependent on being able to read high and low pressure zones to predict the weather in your area. A basic Barometer (and the ability to use it, and set it up properly) are as important as basic Seamanship and sailing skills.

3) Common Sense is not a taught skill. It is the basics of self survival.

4) As a sailor that has always has tried to push the envelope a bit further, I also understand when to simply know when to say when.

Hoping that we all can do the same and still have a ton of fun.

Best Regards
Trinomite

_________________
Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'