'07 215cc - When should I be worried 5',8', 10' seas?

[fl81turbozx]

I live in Tampa ('07 215cc) and the Gulf is pretty much a joke compared to what you North Atlantic guys deal with.

On an average day NOAA will list less than 2' seas.

I also see 2-4' days and I've seen 3'-5' warnings which usually carry a small carft advisory with them.

So my question is, when should I leave the boat in the yard and play golf....3'-5', over 8'??? I've been told to stay away from 3'-5', but those guys have flats boats.

Thanks

[elroy]

fl8turbozx, I have a 170cc and can go out in 3-5 ft seas off the coast of Maine and stay dry. Any thing over it depends on alot of things. I would think you wouldn't have to many problems with a boat that size. I'm sure others will agree. good luck

[aronlevin]

I have an 191 fs and live and fish the North Coast of CA. We always have big waves. If I can get 6 ft at 10 seconds I am in loveing it, flat as a pancake. The worst I have been out in is 13 to 14 ft at 10 seconds. That is getting bad. It think the boat could handle more but why risk it. I would think a 215 could handle worse.

[MolarBoater]

The worst I've been in is trying to cross Mobile Bay in 2-3' at @2 sec wave intervals. It will beat you to death! I'll take big rollers anytime.

[Codfish]

Turbo,

As you can tell from the others comments, it is not so much the height of the wave as the period between them. A good rule of thumb is if the height and period are close to the same, referred to as a "square sea" then it is going to be a rough ride. If the period is twice or more the height, you are going to be ok, with a few exceptions.

Another term to understand is "combined seas" which means the combination of the swell height and the wind wave height. Here in the Oregon area, if the swell is more than 8 and there are any wind waves on top of that, you will have a hard time standing in the boat to fish. The boat can handle the waves but the fisherman cannot. Also by that time the Coast Guard has likely closed the bar to recreational boats less than 26' or 40' depending on the port.

I would suggest learning the correlation of the NOAA weather report with the reality of the sea conditions. With experience you can then accurately predict, a few days out usually, whether it will be a good weekend to go fishing.

Good Luck with the process.

Codfish

[Hakuna Matata]

I fished out of Ocean City, Md in 3'-4' with the occasional 5' and I felt alittle uncomfortable. Not because I thought the boat couldn't handle it, but because I don't have alot of experience in the ocean. Even still I was out around 6 miles. The boat will handle much more, but let your experience and your gut be your guide.

-JB

[RT113BoatSales]

Go to Boating Links above, check out the video link showing a 215 CC Caught Offshore Between Two Storms.

Turn on your speakers.

[ILLOGICAL GGC]

I Know Of A Former Owner Who Got Caught Offshore Of N.c. In A Squall That Had Waves Estimated At 10 Ft. He Got Back In And The Boat Was In Better Shape Than Him. Typically Here In N.c. ,if They Call For Small Craft Warnings---that Means Stay Home And Pack Wheel Bearings!!!

[Fishin' DC's]

I fish out of Cedar Key on an '04 210cc and if it's calling for anything over 2'-4' with winds over 10-15 knots, forget about it. The chop created by the short wave intervals in the Gulf will beat you up pretty good. For me, I'll do 2'-3's, but I know going out that it will likely be bumpy and that means taking the dramamine.

[Jan from Humboldt]

Here is a picture of the Coast Guard 47 footer kinda buried in one going out of Humboldt bay...

and here is one where they decided to go over the top rather than through it...


Since I only have a 150-CC I prefer to only go out if the swells are less than 10 feet and the wind waves less than 5'.

The bar here at the entrance to Humboldt bay can get a little snotty from time to time. Depoe bay in Oregon is worse though, you just gotta be plain nuts to run that place when it's rough.

I got caught outside one day when it lumped up to 12-15', caught the tide change just right and sailed into the bay with no problems

But I'll tell you it was more like surfing in on a 15' motorized surfboard than a boat and no I don't want to do it again any time soon.