Offshore - Acceptable wind conditions

[Peahead]

Just noticed the winds are increasing beyond 20 to Northwest 20-30 while I will be on the west coast. Just wondering what size swell I can expect at that wind speeds and also what fishing conditions/ tolerance most guys would/ wouldn't go out there ? I am pretty used to nasty conditions in my own Double Eagle 17 fishing surf line Barkley and Esperanza/Ferrer but in my boat offshore I've only gone out to highway in flat calm conditions. We'll be with nog in his 28 Grady but just can't recall what wind becomes a hassle farther offshore even in a 28 ?

Thx guys ....

 

[spring fever]

Google swell watch and and look at that. Gives you ht of swell and period-(length of time between peaks / or trough to trough) longer the period higher the swell you can tolerate. Sometimes though its the chop on top of the swell that drives you in. As a rule of thumb I start getting nervous when planning a trip if I see a 6 ft swell and I certainly don't like the look of 20-30 knots -that could make downright ugly seas. I have a 24 and like to think I can "take it " however 6ft swell and 20-30 means only trolling downwind and a nasty trip home!!But a 28 Grady is a lot bigger than my 24 but 6 ft swell with a 6 second period and 30 knots is a long way from flat in any boat!!

 

[the fog ducker]

anything over 15 for me,
starts ta get a little not so fun , fishable , BUT ,

its the local wind on top of the swell i worry about . the swell usually doesn't bother us
kinda the $hitty part of being committed on a specific day , ya never know what your gonna get ,
word is the surf line has been pretty good too , always somewhere ta tuck in and get sum fish ...

ur right , the wind prediction looks a little lumpy out that way this week , BUT , if we all only fished on wind and weather predictions , we'd never get out there lol , just go , it's wrong far to often ...

m2b

fd

 

[wildwest]

Dam...I was toying with the idea of getting a couple of Hali's...only 3 pieces left in the freezer

 

[Bushbear]

I run a 20' Wooldridge Sport Offshore. My general rule of thumb is if the height of the swell plus the height of the wind wave (chop) exceeds the frequency of the swell, it isn't worth the hassle.

Whitecaps start to form when the wind speed hits about 13 mph. Tidal flow, against or with the wind, can influence the call, too.

 

[Charlie]

It really is based on boat and experience level. If you are setting on the dock and even thinking it is going to be beyond either, it is probably better just to stay tied to that dock! I would never recommend anyone going out if there are questions.

When offshore, I am constantly listening and WATCHING that weather A LOT! If I don't like anything I hear or see, I will either mover farther offshore - or IN! I am not sure what I would do if I didn't have a forcast of at least 30 knot winds and 12-15 foot swells somewhere on WCVI. It is very common.

I actually call it quits somewhere around 40 knot winds. and that really depends fronts moving in, or already past. It is more than swells and winds. Can you say - Sea state?

http://www.coastalbc.com/weather/index.htm