3.2m Dinghy Sea use

[calibra]

Hi

I have a 3.2 Dinghy which is a category C.

On a nice calm day, or even with a few waves how far out do you guys take yours? I've never been in the sea with mine yet, but once I have my engine I will be

James

[beerbelly]

iv just come back from a week on the west coast of Scotland high up near lewis and we went out on a calm day about a mile and a half had a brill day cought loads of mackerel no problems .then another day it was a bit windy but coming off the land so didn't go far out maybe only 500 meters but travelled along the coast about 4-5 miles when we came to return it was too choppy to get on the plane so were restricted to 5-6 knots in and out of every bay to get out of the wordst of it and it seamed to take forever to get back . we were 2 adults in a 3.2 honwave airdeck with a 15 hp and it never felt unsafe even with quite a swell the sib managed to make decent headway. I wouldn't want to go out in bad weather the guy who was with me had more experience at this so I put my faith in him

[Amukinado]

You'll be fine going out some miles as long as the weather is good. Just be aware if the wind tends to pick up at a certain time where you're navigating because sometimes the way back can be quite wet and uncomfortable. If you notice that the sea is becoming more choppy don't risk it and come back to shore while it's still easy.

Usually when I want to go out angling I go in the morning when the sea is usually calmer and come back just mid afternoon before the wind starts to pick up. But I have been angling in the afternoon and the sea was so flat it looked like I was inside a harbor. No decent fish though (man I really got to get a sonar ).

[Max...]

You never can tell with out sea state a lot of the time - I stay within a mile or so of shore, have done 38nm (along the coast) but like to stay *well* within 1 mile out. No point really in going further out in a little rubber boat and if you run out out juice or break down - both which have happened to me (and many others on here) you'll be glad you did.

[bartiny]

Originally Posted by Max...

You never can tell with out sea state a lot of the time - I stay within a mile or so of shore, have done 38nm (along the coast) but like to stay *well* within 1 mile out. No point really in going further out in a little rubber boat and if you run out out juice or break down - both which have happened to me (and many others on here) you'll be glad you did.

I can not argue with the above, makes sense, it is surprising that when the land starts to look hazy and no other boats about, the feeling of vunerability sets in, if not with you then your passengers/crew/wife then it takes all the enjoyment out IMO.

[beerbelly]

I personally would never go out of sight of land I think the horizon is about 20 miles that's too far in a small inflatable .if you broke down the currents/wind could carry you miles in a very short time

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

I think the horizon is about 20 miles

You reckon ??
well eye level 3 Ft above water = Horizon @ 2.1 Statue miles Approx!!!!

[HughN]

Originally Posted by ashbypower

You reckon ??
well eye level 3 Ft above water = Horizon @ 2.1 Statue miles !!!!

1.23 x the square root of the height in ft IIRC?

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by HughN

1.23 x the square root of the height in ft IIRC?

Your on it !!

[beerbelly]

I was guessing at 20 miles as its rumoured France can be seen from dover on a clear day and that's about 20 miles

[ashbypower]

Ah Yes but that is Not the horizon !!! that is Land above the Horizon!!

[bartiny]

6ft tall looking at horizon = 3 miles.

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by bartiny

6ft tall looking at horizon = 3 miles.

[Max...]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

I was guessing at 20 miles as its rumoured France can be seen from dover on a clear day and that's about 20 miles

Rumoured and very true, you can see it from further than that round the East Sussex Coast but like Dover you need to be a bl**dy sight higher than sat on the tube of a ten foot long rubber boat!!

[calibra]

funny replies.

So, A mile out seems to be as far as it gets on these rubber dinghy which is more than ample. All I need is an engine and Radio and I'll be off (Oh and nice weather)

[slate1234]

I go about 5 miles out on a very calm day in my 3.2 sib, but I must admit I dont like the feeling of vunerability, there are usually a few boats working on the wind farms near me, and I do stay in contact with local charter boats (fishing trips) and most of my fishing is done within two miles of the beach