Re: Dinghy sailing in bigger winds

"toad" <toad_oftoadhall@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:1191060939.185400.27160@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> On 29 Sep, 10:29, "Duncan Heenan" <duncanhee...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
>> There's swell, and there's swell.
>> Breaking waves can happen in a lot less than a f10. Inded  if you look
at
>> the charts for many of the coasts of Ireland and parts of the coast of 
>> the
>> Isle of Man, which I was quoting from, you'll see 'breakers' marked, 
>> which
>> indicate areas which often have breaking waves in much less than f10 
>> winds.
>> Also, simply wading in to the beach may be an option where there is a 
>> nice
>> sandy beach, but at the base of cliffs or over rocks (both of which
also
>> cause breaking waves) it is impossible, and dangerous to try.
>> I can see that some of my experience may not be relevant to these lads 
>> who
>> may well be in a more friendly environment
>
> Seeking out overfalls while battling alone in conditions where even a
> low performance dinghy needs reefs; away from any kind of hospitable
> landing place? All without risk of a capsize.
>
> Impressive.
>
> ...but rather hard to reconcile with the Duncan Heenan who wrote to a
> sailing mag to admit he hired a charter boat in the calm shelter of
> the Solent and took it back early because he couldn't manage.
>
> The thing about exploing cliffs by dinghy is that, no matter how
> intimidating and sheer and high and crumbling they seem, as you get
> closer in there always seems to be somewhere you can get into.
>
You are off your trolley again Toad. I wrote no such letter.
I did write a reply though, which was published. It is reproduced below:
----- Original Message ----- 
From: duncanheenan@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Yachting_Monthly@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Wednesday, December 13, 2006 7:12 PM
Subject: Letters to the Editor - 'Exam without Tides' YM Jan 07

Dear Sirs,
I can sympathise with 'name & address supplied's ' embarrassment at going 
aground and ba****ng in to another boat in one of the Solent rivers - who 
hasn't done something like that! However, to blame that on having passed
his 
RYA test in 'non- tidal' Gibraltar is inaccurate and sounds like an excuse

for his own carelessness.
I kept a boat in Gibraltar for 4 years and can confirm that the tidal 
streams east of Tarifa and indeed in Gibraltar Bay itself are strong and 
tricky enough to test the best. If you don't believe me, read Colin
Thomas's 
excellent 'The Straits Sailing Handbook' which gives full details. I now 
keep a boat in the Solent and know well that the tidal streams are strong 
and tricky there too, but they are well do***ented for those who care to 
look.
I think what Mr Supplied's experience illustrates is that seaman****p is
not 
conferred by a piece of paper alone, but by experience and attention. He
did 
exactly the wrong thing in going home in disgust, as he has not gone out 
again and learned from his mistakes, which is the best teacher of the lot.
Yours faithfully,
Duncan Heenan
--------------

And I did not say reefing will eliminate capsizes, merely reduce the risk.

Similarly I never said that I seek out overfalls, merely that 'breakers'
can 
be caused in less than f10 which is what you asserted. However, when 
exploring in a cruising dinghy you can get caught out, and I have been,
and 
ended up in conditions i did not expect.
When attempting to take the piss, it's always better to remain accurate,
as 
otherwise you look like rather silly.