North Winds 5-20...take the family to the lake or not?

[bunker108]

I want to get the family on the water for the first time this season. The sky is forecast to be clear with a high of 86, but winds are supposed to 5-20mph on a small narrow lake about 40 miles long. That kind of wind won't bother me or my 18' Starcraft, but I am just not sure if this might make for a bad experience for the family. Would you all subject your family to those kind of winds or are they too low to be concerned about? My wife and kids are pretty easy, I just don't want to drag them down to the lake if the winds will make for a miserable day. Let me know what you think.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: North Winds 5-20...take the family to the lake or not?

You can't compare 5 mph to 20 mph.

You can't compare "families." A family of duck hunters or fishermen won't mind. A family of princesses might.

You don't say what you are planning to do. Ride around and enjoy getting wet? Some people like that. Tubing swimming? fine Glide on smooth boring water, bone dry, without a splash?

You know what makes them miserable.

 

[dingbat]

Re: North Winds 5-20...take the family to the lake or not?

My "lake" is a little larger.It's 150 or so miles long and 30 miles across at its widest point.

The "family" would not be happy in anything more thing more than 10 kts.
I have to agree HC. Only you can make that decision.

 

[bunker108]

Re: North Winds 5-20...take the family to the lake or not?

I hear you guys. I was just looking for some personal experience. The forecast keeps looking a little better calling for 12 mph winds. We won't be getting in the water just riding around. I will probably just roll the dice, and then at least next time I will know exactly what the familia thinks about boating and wind. The weather is supposed to turn Sunday so I think we will take advantage of Saturday and head home early Sunday. Thanks!

 

[rockyrude]

Re: North Winds 5-20...take the family to the lake or not?

The direction of the lake related to the wind matters also. If , for example , the lake runs north-south and the winds are out of the south the waves are going to be far worse than if the winds were out of the west.

 

[Navigator_Victory]

Re: North Winds 5-20...take the family to the lake or not?

30 miles by 150 miles that is an ocean......I would think in 20mph winds you would have some pretty big rollers to crash through depending on lake size and wind direction as was mentioned.....also pending how daring the passengers are.....some of my family will sit on the front as I crash through waves while others hide in the back....just depends I suppose and of course hey....try it out if it works great if not you know.....even a bad day on the lake......is better than a good day at home or work etc. etc.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: North Winds 5-20...take the family to the lake or not?

I hear you guys. I was just looking for some personal experience. The forecast keeps looking a little better calling for 12 mph winds. We won't be getting in the water just riding around. I will probably just roll the dice, and then at least next time I will know exactly what the familia thinks about boating and wind. The weather is supposed to turn Sunday so I think we will take advantage of Saturday and head home early Sunday. Thanks!

uuuummmmm.....as Home Cookin points out there's a big difference between 5mph and 20mph winds, and the wind direction is just as critical. In general, if the forecast calls for more than 5-10Kn, I don't get excited about getting out in it, but the direction can make some locations OK.

But, my final comment is that if you toss them around on the initial trip you may have resistance from your mates in the future. Good Luck!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: North Winds 5-20...take the family to the lake or not?

30 miles by 150 miles that is an ocean.......

not only that but it has tides and river currents! craziest lake you ever saw! And salty!

(I'm at the other end of his lake)

 

[2ndtry]

Re: North Winds 5-20...take the family to the lake or not?

I frequently boat on a "narrow lake about 40 miles long". If it winds about like mine, you will be fine on the parts perpendicular to the wind, bouncy and wet on the parts parallel. As long as you don't have a few miles of wide lake to get to and from the marina, go for it.

 

[bunker108]

Re: North Winds 5-20...take the family to the lake or not?

http://www.stormfax.com/beaufort.htm
This is a good reference scale. I am going to take the family and then let you all know how it goes.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: North Winds 5-20...take the family to the lake or not?

I'd say that scale is marginally useful. First, who would call 19-24 mph winds a "fresh breeze"? And two important factors are missing.

One is wind direction relative to current, a major factor around here. Second is the fetch (distance upwind uninterrupted by land), b/c the waves build as fetch increases.

Give me wind speed and direction and I can tell you more about the weather (in my home 20) than with temp, clouds, percip, etc.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: North Winds 5-20...take the family to the lake or not?

Beaufort" scale is open Ocean---it all bepends on shape(coves) and direction of wind. I run in that wind on a regular day' o fun!