Weather (or not)

Weather plays an all-important role in sailing and boating especially on the sea.

Wind strength and direction; too little and we go nowhere, too much and life becomes difficult. Ideally a force 3 to 5 is good; the sea is not too high and there is wind to move the boat. Above a force 5 the sea becomes higher with a height of about 3 metres or more from top to bottom of the waves. Wind direction is also important, with the wind too much on front of the boat we can't sail and just off the wind our boats heel (lean) over. In fact most sailing boats can't sail within 50� of the wind direction and so need to tack (zig zag) to go to windward.

Visibility; we need to see where we are going to ensure that we are not running into danger and for this it is necessary for us to see at least 1/2 mile. Essentially the biggest danger in fog is running into or being run down with another vessel and of course we are not able to see land marks for navigation.

Weather forecasts today are generally accurate for up-to two days and beyond but even so wind strengths are sometimes greater than that forecast for various reasons. It is therefore prudent to have a basic plan at the back of your mind of what actions to take if conditions deteriorate. Gradually build up experience and get to know your boat and how it will behave in varying conditions.

Always, always, get the latest weather forecast before you leave and monitor it by VHF Radio on route if possible!

Weather forecasts sources:

BBC Radio 4 at 00.48hrs, 05.35hrs, (05.42hrs Sundays)(05.56 Saturdays) 12.01hrs 17.54hrs

The Coastguard issue forecast several times a day over VHF radio, advised on channel 16 first

Television channel 3 text page 167 give shipping forecasts updated twice daily and inshore forecast page 168

A Navtex receiver is a useful means of accessing a weather forecast as it records on screen weather and navigational information which can be user selectable ie select what navigational info required. By scrolling down/up you are able to read and digest the information.

For further information

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/ukweather/shipping.shtml

http://www.franksingleton.clara.net./index.html This site is particularly useful.


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The Shipping Forecast explained, the order of transmission
  1. Gale warnings if any
  2. General synopsis
  3. Area forecast
      Forecast wind direction and strength (in Beaufort scale)
      Weather ie, fair or raining etc
      Visibility ie
        Fog, poor (less than 1000 metres)
        Poor, 1000 metres to 2 miles
        Moderate, 2 miles to 5 miles
        Good, more than 5 miles
  4. Coastal Station reports (given at 00.30hrs and 05.30hrs forecasts only) gives actual weather at the given time
      Wind direction and force
      Weather
      Visibility
      Pressure
      Change in pressure ie rising steady or falling

�keith matthews2001

Follow the sun

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