Wind and Sea State. How do we decide when to sail? And then we're off to the Isles of Orkney
April 10, 2024 · 22 min · 5K views · Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
What this video covers
The crew of the Baltic 42 *Northern Brees* plans coastal passages by aligning weather models, local knowledge, and specific comfort thresholds. To manage 120 miles of Scottish coastline in September, they limit sailing to winds under 25 knots and seas under 2 meters with a swell period exceeding 7 seconds. They cross-reference multiple weather models, including ECMWF and GFS, while prioritizing local input from fishermen and government services to account for high-fidelity coastal conditions. During a 72-nautical-mile transit from Kinlochbervie to Stromness, the crew successfully rounded Cape Wrath by timing their departure for slack tide and favorable wind forecasts. They navigated tidal races near the Orkney Islands by arriving before dark to ensure safe entry into the harbor. The crew maintains a comfort ratio of 24.6, which necessitates reefing to keep speeds at or below 7 knots in heavy conditions. Careful weather window selection and adherence to planned waypoints allow for safe passage through challenging, current-dominated waters.
Boats in this video
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