On Feb 14, 8:49 am, Rosalie B. wrote:
"Frogwatch" wrote:
I think all this happed the week before last, maybe Thur ? Here in
Tallahassee, I'd heard of nasty weather moving in with very strong
wind forecast. On Thur (maybe it was Wed, I forget) I looked outside
of my door at the trees blowing around and thought "Damn, I'm sure
glad I'm not on the water". Skip says he had not heard a forcast for
nasty weather which I believe. I also remember the "Storm of the
Century" when we were due to leave that morn for a crusie but I'd
heard of a weird low in the west Gulf and decidded to wait. Oddly,
some sailors I met two weeks later HAD NOT HEARD this forecast, gone
sailing and got hammered. What is going on here? Is the NOAA
forecast that bad? I know that sitting at anchor you have few options
for getting weather but at a marina you at least have local weather
news too.

One of the things that is emphasized in the Thornless Path is that you
have to get the weather EVERY MORNING at the same time, and make a
notes on it so that you know what is going on - what fronts are coming
through.

I told Bob I would not go offshore at all (just in the ICW) unless I
had a SSB and could get weather on it. And I typically listened to
Herb several days in advance of when we were going anywhere, and then
every day after we left. And listened to what he was saying to people
in various areas - not just where we were. Active listening - trying
to anticipate what Herb would say and why he was saying it.. Even
though it might be inconvenient to do so, I think that's important.

In the Gulf, it might not be so easy because Herb doesn't typically do
the areas close to land in the Gulf, but in that case, I would get as
many different forecasts as possible - not only NOAA but also the
weather channel and local TV and radio.

Good Day Rosalie:

In past I we have had a few spats. But I must say that I support you
100% here. Not only on the obvious sound advice you just listed, also
the spirit guiding your words. To do as you say requires a fundamental
belief about your relationship with the sea. A relatoinship I suspect,
that has alowed you years of safe enjoyable adventures on the water. I
also belive will see you safe til you make that last walk up the
dock.

I hope the sun is shinning in your part of the world and you have a
spectacular view.
Bob

PS I agree, 71 is pushing your luck for a solo sail. ALthough my step
dad road his Harley Davidson Oregon coast to New York coast when he
was 70..........an back! But then he was one of thoes "Dead End Kids"
from Brooklin, NY who spent 30+ years on the water. Tough old bird.