On 1/16/11 1:22 PM, I am Tosk wrote:
In articlebc71c4d7-3609-4cdc-b702-4e19e2186358@
29g2000yqq.googlegroups.com, says...

On Jan 16, 12:25 pm, wrote:
"Tim" wrote in message

...

On Jan 15, 4:43 am, wrote:



On Fri, 14 Jan 2011 09:38:57 -0800 (PST), Frogwatch

wrote:
On Jan 14, 10:45 am, wrote:
On Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:33:48 -0500, John
wrote:

Looks like that boat's made to take the seas!

http://www.macgregor26.com/index/gale_2_min.htm

Not really. Take another look at that video and notice that the seas
are large but not breaking. That's because they are mature deep
water waves that have reached full height for the wind conditions, and
are not being impacted by current or shoaling conditions. That's the
difference between windy but relatively benign conditions, and what
you would encounter in a rapid onset Gulf Stream squall. I have flown
over the Gulf Stream on days when the wind is blowing hard from the
north against the current. You can see the waves breaking from
30,000 feet in the air, and that's about as close as you'd want to
get.

When I say beaching, I mean beaching in a place with protected shallow
water where a deep draft boat cannot go.
Furthermore, even with no motor, this boat is safer than most other
powerboats without a motor as it has ballast so will not roll over as
easily. It also has a centerboard to help it track true. With its
sails as backup, it is far safer in the Gulf Stream than most
powerboats without sail backup. Although the rigging is light, reefed
sails can be put up. Of course nobody would take such a boat across
in 30 kt winds but she would do well in such anyway.

During the summer (thunderstorm) months you can find yourself in 40 to
60 knot winds on the Gulf Stream with almost no warning. Experienced
east coast boaters like to head east before sunrise to minimize their
chances of being caught by a storm during the crossing.

I'm too big of a wimp.

That doesn't sound like much fun to me. but it DOES sound exciting!

========

People do cross in bad conditions. I think they're just trying to help rid
the pool of those unwanted stupid genes.
A couple weeks of crap weather and you might get a "me or the boat" price on
a nice vessel....

having sails as a backup is great.

I agree... I think Wayne is going a bit extreme thinking that because
someone has sails as a backup, they are going to try a crossing in bad
weather. I think all here know it's a huge tradeoff, but I have seen
similar sailing in the CT River in the Summer...



Are there four to five foot breaking waves in the summer on the
Connecticut River?