Good weather is bad weather for boating

nvmbr9 · 08-27-2010, 06:11 AM

It's 7am. I'm sitting in my chair gazing down the lake. I'd guess 15 to 20. Whitecaps. My sailboat on the mooring is being tossed like a cork. Yet if you check major weather sources they all report marvelous calm weather and wind. And a great forecast.

Except in protected bays it looks to be at best a challenging boating day on the lake. Where do you go to find this forecast. My best guess is that whenever wind is from nw at greater than ten knots...prepare for a rough day.

Anyone have any words of wisdom?

jrc · 08-27-2010, 08:32 AM

The first 2 or 3 days after a rainy spell are usually very windy.

Any wind with a North or West component will be funnelled down the Broads. It will be faster than the weather people say.

The wind and waves will build steadily higher as the day goes on, but usually subside in the evening. The waves get worse as you go south unless you can get in the shadow of a island.

I can't find a weather report that captures the real wind on Winnipesaukee.

nvmbr9 · 08-27-2010, 09:04 AM

I'm in the cove next to barn door island. Wnw wind and waves land right in my lap that said I can see them as far as the eye. And I can see the entire length of lake.

BroadHopper · 08-27-2010, 09:32 AM

The conditions were perfect until I hit the Broads side of Welch going to Wolfeboro from Lakeport. Having a deep v has its advantage but I couldn't get to the speed I need to 'dance'. My buddy from FL, who has a NH certificate as well as the USCG commercial license took over and 'dance'.

Same on the return trip. But not on my license.

Got to love those windy weather. No one was out on the Broads at that time.

08-27-2010, 06:11 AM	#1
nvmbr9 Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 22 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Good weather is bad weather for boating It's 7am. I'm sitting in my chair gazing down the lake. I'd guess 15 to 20. Whitecaps. My sailboat on the mooring is being tossed like a cork. Yet if you check major weather sources they all report marvelous calm weather and wind. And a great forecast. Except in protected bays it looks to be at best a challenging boating day on the lake. Where do you go to find this forecast. My best guess is that whenever wind is from nw at greater than ten knots...prepare for a rough day. Anyone have any words of wisdom?

08-27-2010, 09:04 AM	#3
nvmbr9 Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 22 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Far south I'm in the cove next to barn door island. Wnw wind and waves land right in my lap that said I can see them as far as the eye. And I can see the entire length of lake.

08-27-2010, 09:32 AM	#4
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,512 Thanks: 3,118 Thanked 1,090 Times in 784 Posts	Last night The conditions were perfect until I hit the Broads side of Welch going to Wolfeboro from Lakeport. Having a deep v has its advantage but I couldn't get to the speed I need to 'dance'. My buddy from FL, who has a NH certificate as well as the USCG commercial license took over and 'dance'. Same on the return trip. But not on my license. Got to love those windy weather. No one was out on the Broads at that time. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

08-27-2010, 08:32 AM	#2
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	The first 2 or 3 days after a rainy spell are usually very windy. Any wind with a North or West component will be funnelled down the Broads. It will be faster than the weather people say. The wind and waves will build steadily higher as the day goes on, but usually subside in the evening. The waves get worse as you go south unless you can get in the shadow of a island. I can't find a weather report that captures the real wind on Winnipesaukee.