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  Crossing: Waquoit Bay Falmouth to Marthas Vineyard on September 6, 2014

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Author Topic:   Crossing: Waquoit Bay Falmouth to Marthas Vineyard on September 6, 2014
srej posted 09-03-2014 02:24 PM ET (US)   Profile for srej   Send Email to srej  
I have an Outrage 18 with a Johnson 150 that I keep in Waquoit Bay, Falmouth. This Saturday, September 6, 2014, my friend (who is a very experienced boater) and I are planning the 7-mile trip to Vineyard Haven or Oaks Bluff and back. We will not go if the the winds are greater than 8-knots. We're looking for a pleasurable ride to and from. Boat is in good shape, has a GPS, multiple radios, and I have Sea-Tow. Do we just take the shortest route back and forth between Waquoit Bay and Vineyard Haven? Or, are there smoother routes?

Also, I've heard the wind picks up early and the ride back can get rough. Any magic time we should head back? Thanks for any help and information--Stephen

jimh posted 09-03-2014 04:00 PM ET (US)     Profile for jimh  Send Email to jimh     
I am fairly confident that, if the wind is 8-knots or less, the 5-miles from Falmouth Harbor to Vineyard Haven will be quite easily handled in a Boston Whaler OUTRAGE 18.
jimh posted 09-03-2014 05:13 PM ET (US)     Profile for jimh  Send Email to jimh     
NOAA is a good source of weather predictions, including wave height forecasts. Check the NOAA weather forecast on the morning of departure. NOAA weather forecasts will include forecast data for wind speed, wind direction, and wave heights. Significant changes are always included in forecasts. In this way you can assess the predicted wind speeds to see if they will remain at 8-knots or less throughout the duration of your voyage.
martyn1075 posted 09-03-2014 06:57 PM ET (US)     Profile for martyn1075  Send Email to martyn1075     
8k knot wind is a fairly light wind and I would estimate a 1 foot chop or less might occur. Tide current associated with depth and direction is important factor in the equation and good advice to check where its coming from. Some winds can be nastier then others strictly on where they are coming from in conjunction with the area and where the boat is heading. 15-25 would concern me in that boat. In fact the18 Outrage would be ok in that wind but it would pound and at cruise would be quite uncomfortable. As you had already mentioned you want to enjoy your trip I agree its not worth it most of the times.
EJO posted 09-03-2014 08:23 PM ET (US)     Profile for EJO  Send Email to EJO     
You can always hug the coast going West towards WoodsHole and then straight South but your Outrage 18 should do fine. A couple of weeks ago I ran 19 miles one way in a Montauk 150 in 12 knt winds on Lake Michigan which is a nasty chop compared to your ocean. Do what Jim said listen and keep an eye on NOAA.
tedious posted 09-04-2014 07:57 AM ET (US)     Profile for tedious  Send Email to tedious     
Stephen, I made that trip a month ago in a Revenge 22. You'll be fine in a Outrage 18. Vineyard Sound is choppy pretty much all the time - worse in the afternoons, but not a huge difference. The two points either side of Vineyard Haven are called East Chop and West Chop - and it is especially choppy there, but again, nothing hugely different from the rest of the trip. It's perhaps a bit uncomfortable and maybe wet, but not life threatening - you can hold a slow plane the whole way.

Personally, I don't find Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven very interesting - the former in particular is very tight and busy, and they want you to pick up a mooring and pay a ton for launch service to get ashore. I'd instead recommend heading for Edgartown and exploring the Outer Harbor and Katama Bay.

Tim

swist posted 09-04-2014 08:47 AM ET (US)     Profile for swist  Send Email to swist     
Have been in that area - the water is shallow and that results in short-period chop almost all the time. It's not a safety issue, but it can be tiresome and annoying. Staying on plane you bounce a lot, off-plane you get wet. But the former will get you through a lot faster.
jcdawg83 posted 09-04-2014 09:43 AM ET (US)     Profile for jcdawg83    
I'm not personally familiar with that area, but unless there is something really different than most open water, an 8 knot wind would not produce much in the way of waves. I know a 10 knot wind, 20 miles offshore, will generally generate 1 to 2 foot waves. An Outrage 18 can easily handle that.

I guess my biggest question is; what happens if you go across and the wind gets up more than you expect it to? Do you not come back?

goldstem posted 09-04-2014 12:21 PM ET (US)     Profile for goldstem  Send Email to goldstem     
did it all the time in my 13 footer (I was a kid)
and my ribside 21. if the wind kickup up just right it could get a litle bouncy with those flat hulls. but no problems at
all (I lived on waquoit bay for many years)

enjoy

macfam posted 09-05-2014 08:55 PM ET (US)     Profile for macfam  Send Email to macfam     
I live here in East Falmouth next to Waquoit Bay.
Predictions for 12kt SW winds with gusts to 20.
If you leave in the morning, it may be a bit "choppy" due to the outgoing tide against the SW wind. But very manageable
Returning after 3:00pm the wind and water will be running in the same direction. Not so bad, unless it really reaches 20+. Whaler's are "sweet" in this type of following sea.
Outrage 18's & 17 Montauk's do this trip regularly.

ONE CAUTION: Listen to weather regarding T- storms tomorrow.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/vineyard-haven-ma/02568/ daily-weather-forecast/338679?day=2&utm_source=www-mvtimes-com& utm_medium=oap_weather_widget&utm_term=link_panel1& utm_content=accuweather&utm_campaign=threeday

The above link is for Martha's Vineyard Times, click on "weather" tab on upper right.
Feel free to email me tomorrow. macfam91@comcast.net, or call 508-559-3768 for updated conditions.

macfam posted 09-07-2014 09:32 AM ET (US)     Profile for macfam  Send Email to macfam     
sreg,
Today is Sunday, Sept 7.
Good day for a trip from Waquoit Bay to Martha's Vineyard.
Mambo Minnow posted 09-07-2014 10:51 AM ET (US)     Profile for Mambo Minnow  Send Email to Mambo Minnow     
I have been meaning to make that trip from the ramp at Green Pond for the last couple of seasons. My Aunt lives in the area and would be nice to take a trip over to the Vineyard.
wezie posted 09-07-2014 11:33 AM ET (US)     Profile for wezie  Send Email to wezie     
I believe this would be a great trip. You are planning it and looking at options. Have a great day. From the responses posted, this is very well within the capabilities of the boat if handled properly.

A question was asked about weather changes and getting back if it gets worse.
The "have to get back" panic has killed a lot of folks. The "have to get there" had gotten a few also.
There is a point at which you would not go out to begin with. That is the point at which "we are not going back" becomes the decision. It will be a difficult decision. Probably a bit expensive also.

The first disaster that brought this to my mind involved 4 guys I knew flying to S Texas to dive. Sunday, in spite of a forecast of a front, they took off in a small plane to return to Little Rock. When they hit the front, it tore the wings off and 8000 ft later the story ended.
They were being responsible trying to get back to work Monday. That pressure, habits, rationalizations, lack of flying experinence, etc. killed them.

This caution is only meant to enable you to make better decisions. It is not meant to encourage you to stay on the shore. We can always find reasons to do that and to miss out on life.

Wish I could go with you.

John

PeteB88 posted 09-08-2014 02:33 AM ET (US)     Profile for PeteB88  Send Email to PeteB88     
I shared this with my #1 nephew who spent seven summers on the Vineyard. He always encouraged me to bring my Outrage to the Vineyard but it didn't work out. He now lives in Dallas going to school and doing great. Loves the Vineyars for sure and was there a month ago.

Here's his story -

"I came back from aquinnah one night in a 15 foot mako center console. Incoming tide with a West wind was standing the waves straight up Coast Guard was stopping boats on the way out for weather. We had to catch some fish for the derby. On the way back at 2am we were doing full throttle and covering 4knots in a boat that does 30 knots on glass. We had to turn into Menemsha Harbor and call a cab. Scariest night of my life and I'll never go out in a boat under 20 feet after dark again. Our captain, Steve probably saved us by heading into port

We were cold, soaked, relieved and alive. Real shit"

jcdawg83 posted 09-10-2014 07:31 PM ET (US)     Profile for jcdawg83    
I notice we have not heard back from the original poster. I wonder if he went and if he made it back?

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