"David Jones" wrote in message
om...
What do you all think? Is he mad to try it? Could he just be really
careful and if it does not work, then so be it? I really do not know,
but I would imagine the risks are -

The waves catching it too strongly, and not being able to get 'out back'.
The wind catching it too strongly, and being blown out to sea.
The waves breaking over it, and swamping it.

Any advice gratefully received

Those inflatables also do a good origami if a wave hits it right. The most
positive thing I 'd suggest is get him to buy a leash so he can attach the
boat to his ankle and not surface to see his boat setting off for Sweden.
The wind is probably the really dangerous part especially if he's foolish
enough not to be concerned about it. The max offshore wind I'd paddle in
would be under 4 knots and then never more than quarter of a mile offshore,
because that's a distance I can make should the wind pick up, which it does
often typically when you're not expecting it. The very technical way I
measure the wind is to see if any of the kite surfers are out in it, then
it's too damn windy.
I'd give your chum some string and he can fly it as a kite.
cheers,