What seas are comfortable?

[mrtwiddlecups]

So I have been sailing my new 16 quite a bit and really getting a feel for a trip I want to make across the Pamlico sound. I have about 55nm under my belt all fresh water. My most recent trip was 7 1/2 hours 24nm on Kerr lake (5 hrs of beating!). The only thing I'm worried about is being comfortable in 3 foot seas as this is a very typical wave forcast in the Pamlico sound. Is 2 to 3 ft with 10 seconds between waves comfortable-ish? I talked to my dad a bunch about my experience so far on the lakes and I've had the boat in 25 knots gusting to 30 (baby's first knock down) and the waves were fine- just a little spray. I thought based on eyeballing that these waves were 2-3 foot but my pops says they were more likely 1-2 foot. What do yous with experience think!?

[Yamaha33410]

that really depends, if they are gentle swells, spaced far apart, and you are going into them, I'd say this boat would ride out much bigger swells then 3'

If they are choppy or hitting the beam.... you will not like the ride, probably taking on water in the cockpit...

Also depends on your confidence level, boat setup, boat safety... duration of sail in those conditions

its one thing to go a mile or two in those conditions, its another to get beat up for hours or all day in those conditions... There are so many other things you could do besides ride 3' waves all day in a com-pac 16....

[mrtwiddlecups]

Ok. Yeah what It seems like I need to do is just get the boat out there for a couple hours and see how I feel. I'm pretty adventurous and that is what I'm looking foward to but I don't want to be too miserable. A little miserable is ok. Not too worried about getting wet. Already filled the cockpit with water ? but it was fine and the scuppers did their job.

[wes]

The Pamlico Sound is a treacherous piece of water. You will be out of sight of land for a good part of the trip. The shallow water and long fetch mean a windy day can churn up a brutal chop. Each of us has our own limits. I personally would not cross the sound in my 19, let alone a 16.

Keep in mind that if 4 foot seas are forecast, this is average height and you can expect to see some occasional waves 2x that height, or 8'. Do you want to confront an 8' wave in a CP16?

If you choose to try it, pick your weather very carefully.

Wes

[mrtwiddlecups]

Oh yeah 4 ft would be a no go for sure. If the weather is good  I'll be testing the sound this weekend or next. My trip is planned for june as I'm prepping for the worst case scenario and wanted the water to be warm enough for me to be in it for half a day. I've reserved room for the car and the trailer on the barge to the outer banks. If the weather is bad my little boat will be on the big boat

[Bramble]

I've made that run a couple of times in a c-16, once from Swanquarter and once from Oriental.  I've also done it in a c-23 numerous times, some of which were down right scary.  (I keep forgetting "don't let a schedule get you killed")  It is quite doable in the right weather. 
Wait for a good weather window.
mike   

[mrtwiddlecups]

Thanks for the advice. Yeah looks like I'm going to be waiting for one of the 10-15 knot 1-2 ft days for sure before taking a dip!

[Bramble]

Where are you thinking of launching from?
mike

[mrtwiddlecups]

Definately swan quarter. I'm trying to get out there and scout the ramp that is next to the ferry terminal.

[Bramble]

That would be the shortest other than Cedar Island.  What has worked for me is to put in, find a place to anchor, & be able to get an early start the next morning. 
Should be fun.
mike

[mrtwiddlecups]

That is a great Idea! Thanks for the info!

[Frantic]

Where I usually sail (Barnes Sound on the West side of Key Largo) wave height is often 2-3' and I'd say the 16 handles that pretty well while keeping the crew dry. The biggest problem is when you're beating up wind in those conditions, the waves act like speed bumps and really slow you down. I've been out in bad weather on the outskirts of Biscayne Bay during a cold front and she handled 4-6' foot seas and winds gusting to 40 knots under just the jib pretty well (but it was a bit scary!). One thing to keep in mind when you're in big weather of that sort is that once the waves get above ~3', your outboard can become useless. When the swells lift you up, your prop will just spin in the air.

regardless, I agree that you should attempt it when you have a good weather window and an open schedule.