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Sailing and the UK Weather. Images
link to weather, tide, satellite and maritime forecast web
sites.
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Wind, tide, sunshine,
waves, visibility and rain are key elements to sailing,
all of which will effect a sailing day. To enjoy a good sail
most importantly we need wind, however not too much, we comfortably
sail in up to force 6 winds ( @30 mph ). Over this we will
postpone unless the charter crew are experienced. ( Some
want it! ). By decreasing sail size ( reefing ) we can de-power
the yacht, thus making strong winds less effective, as we
progress the day we unleash more sail power to increase the
customers experience and enjoyment. Powering up a fast 43" yacht
and beating to windward at 8 knots with waves and spray crashing
over the bow is an unforgettable experience. |
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Waves
and spray. . . . .- wet - this is why we clothe our customers
in quality Douglas Gill Coastal wet weather gear, rain
is now becoming insignificant.
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Sunshine.
. . . . is
what we need at the beach and enjoy when at anchor, this is
associated with high pressure. However land and sea breezes
can develop causing keen sailing and the wearing of factor
40. Dolphins are more easily spotted as they leap out of the
calm sea, inquisitive and intelligent they are attracted to
the quiet slow speed of a yacht. Swimming in the sea is pleasant
in June through to September with the help of the Gulf stream
and thermal insulation of the channel. |
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Waves. . . . . are
a consequence of wind and outside of the sheltered Swansea
Bay, they can get rather large or confused in a highly tidal
channel, further down channel then the Atlantic swell becomes
more prevalent with longer rollers but less effect on the yacht.
Staying in the bay and sailing to The Mumbles in a strong wind
is far less challenging and quietly settles the inexperienced. |
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Understanding this our skippers overcome
any anxieties a customer may have or use it to stretch the
exhilaration further.
Tide. . . . . is an effect of
the moon ( sun and planets have a small effect as well
) and the lunar month cycle is king to our process, full
and no moon produce high tidal range spring tides with
strong currents. Half moons produce lower tidal range neap
tides with respectively lower currents. The Bristol channel
has the second highest tidal range in the world with 9
meters range being the average spring, Caribbean tides
can be only 9 inches. As the Bristol channel narrows towards
the Severn estuary currents can reach in excess of 6 knots,
if you are sailing against it you could be going backwards.
These tides are a result of a lot of water on the move,
half of it being in the two hours during mid tides, awesome
power which requires respect but when understood can be
of considerable use in reducing passage times. The tides
therefore dictate to us our times of departure and in unison
with wind direction advise our destination. Spring tides
are always high @ 7 or 8 pm/am and low at @ 1 or 2 pm causing
our locks to close, however we have already left for a
day sail or are waiting till evening for an evening sail.
Fog. . . . . is a minor problem
as due to the local geography and climate it rarely occurs,
sea mists occurs occasionally with the change of seasons
leaving haze and warm front drizzle as the biggest problem
if you are more than a mile or two offshore.
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