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Finding out about northern swells? #120563
02/10/2017 12:38 PM
02/10/2017 12:38 PM
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 14
C
cobradvm Offline OP
Traveler
cobradvm  Offline OP
Traveler
C
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 14
Hi - we're getting ready to head down to Tortola in a week or two. We have two weeks of charters scheduled so we're getting excited. One question I had was about the northern swells that can sometimes roll through - is there a website or some other way of finding out if one is headed our way when we're there? I understand they develop off the eastern seaboard of the US and roll on down, but I wasn't sure if there was any way of knowing when they would reach the BVIs?

Thanks!

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Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: cobradvm] #120564
02/10/2017 01:20 PM
02/10/2017 01:20 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 263
Reno, Nevada
T
TIMRIM Offline
Traveler
TIMRIM  Offline
Traveler
T
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 263
Reno, Nevada
Maybe during your charter briefing. You can also Wind guru. Their flat for wave and wave direction is usually shoot on.
Have fun, be safe

Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: TIMRIM] #120565
02/10/2017 01:24 PM
02/10/2017 01:24 PM
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 60
Rhode Island
rigirly Offline
Traveler
rigirly  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 60
Rhode Island
I follow magic seaweed http://magicseaweed.com/Cane-Garden-Bay-Surf-Report/480/ and sailflow http://sailflow.com/spot/17214 and both forecasted the last episode of swells a few weeks ago.

Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: cobradvm] #120566
02/10/2017 02:28 PM
02/10/2017 02:28 PM
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,214
Toledo, OH, USA
Orange_Burst Offline
Traveler
Orange_Burst  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,214
Toledo, OH, USA
You can listen to the weather on the VHF, my husband listens to it each morning.

Weather reports are available in many of the harbors, they will print them out and post them. The ones I can think of right now are Myetts and Leverick Bay. Talking to the locals is also very helpful.


Colleen

[Linked Image]


Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: Orange_Burst] #120567
02/10/2017 03:06 PM
02/10/2017 03:06 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
RickG Offline
Traveler
RickG  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
I like to look at the actual buoy data. Buoy 41043 is a good predictor for 8 hours out. Scroll down to wave summary and check swell direction, period and height.

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=41043

We used this in January to plan our move from the north to the south side as a big north swell came through.

Cheers, RickG


S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423
Grenada
Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: Orange_Burst] #120568
02/10/2017 03:07 PM
02/10/2017 03:07 PM
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 33
S
socalnewf Offline
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socalnewf  Offline
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S
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 33
Check out windguru, it shows a week out. Thursday looks to be a bit of a northern swell.

https://www.windguru.cz/58

Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: socalnewf] #120569
02/10/2017 03:34 PM
02/10/2017 03:34 PM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,100
Maryland
Twanger Offline
Traveler
Twanger  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,100
Maryland
We use windguru a lot, but it's not always in agreement with on-the-spot conditions in the BVI/USVI.

Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: Twanger] #120570
02/10/2017 04:18 PM
02/10/2017 04:18 PM
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,214
Toledo, OH, USA
Orange_Burst Offline
Traveler
Orange_Burst  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,214
Toledo, OH, USA
We often do not have an internet connection, so checking these websites is not an option.


Colleen

[Linked Image]


Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: Orange_Burst] #120571
02/10/2017 04:38 PM
02/10/2017 04:38 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
Bookmark this site on your phone. It will show both wave and Swell reports. If it does not state a Swell level then only wind driven waves are a issue.

http://forecast.weather.gov/shmrn.php?mz=amz715

Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: GeorgeC1] #120572
02/10/2017 10:29 PM
02/10/2017 10:29 PM
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 14
C
cobradvm Offline OP
Traveler
cobradvm  Offline OP
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C
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 14
Thanks for all the replies!

Much appreciated!

Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: cobradvm] #120573
02/10/2017 11:42 PM
02/10/2017 11:42 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
Traveler
LocalSailor  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
The Buoy 41043 data is about the most accurate predictive info in real time - http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/show_plot.php?s...;time_label=GMT

Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: LocalSailor] #120574
02/11/2017 11:47 AM
02/11/2017 11:47 AM
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 60
Rhode Island
rigirly Offline
Traveler
rigirly  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 60
Rhode Island
I know it is subjective but how big of a swell is a concern for the north side of Tortola? We have a 38PC and are 10 days from departure. Left our itinerary "loose" so we can deviate if needed.

Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: rigirly] #120575
02/11/2017 08:29 PM
02/11/2017 08:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 312
Canton, GA
Felix Offline
Traveler
Felix  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 312
Canton, GA
Quote
rigirly said:
I know it is subjective but how big of a swell is a concern for the north side of Tortola? We have a 38PC and are 10 days from departure. Left our itinerary "loose" so we can deviate if needed.


I chartered one of those a couple of years ago, and quickly learned that I had to be more conservative than usual when selecting our overnight mooring spots in order to get a good nights' sleep.

Felix


* What we do in life echoes in eternity *
Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: Felix] #120576
02/12/2017 06:17 PM
02/12/2017 06:17 PM
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 60
Rhode Island
rigirly Offline
Traveler
rigirly  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 60
Rhode Island
What are suggestions for best places to overnight when there is a swell other than the North Sound and Norman? I know one should avoid White bay, Cooper and Peter. Other thoughts? Do's and Don'ts are appreciated.

Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: rigirly] #120577
02/12/2017 06:43 PM
02/12/2017 06:43 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
It really depends on the Swell size and actual direction. Cooper can as a example be fine if the swell is moderate and from the N to NNW. It's worse if it's NNE. CGB can still be used if the swell is moderate and from NNE and you tuck into the eastern end.
Usually no issue are Trellis, Marina Key, Peter-Great Harbor,little Harbor and back island anchorages, JVD-Great harbor, little harbor and diamond key. The Bight and North Sound anywhere. Sopers is usually fine unless it's really a large swell.
Moderate or less swell and somewhat directional dependent would be CGB, Anegada, Cooper, Deadmans Bay.
I would consider moderate to be 4 feet or less. It also depends on if you are on a monohull or cat. Keep in mind that the North Swell is 95% a winter issue.
G

Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: GeorgeC1] #120578
02/12/2017 06:49 PM
02/12/2017 06:49 PM
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 60
Rhode Island
rigirly Offline
Traveler
rigirly  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 60
Rhode Island
Thank you George for the helpful information.

Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: rigirly] #120579
02/12/2017 08:59 PM
02/12/2017 08:59 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
Traveler
warren460  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
I have had swell issues at marina cay. Swell anywhere is Much less of an issue on a cat though.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: cobradvm] #120580
02/14/2017 01:39 PM
02/14/2017 01:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 962
Middleburg, VA
cwoody Offline
Traveler
cwoody  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 962
Middleburg, VA
Another great interactive weather app...

Windyty


Chuck W.

Re: Finding out about northern swells? [Re: cwoody] #120581
02/15/2017 01:58 PM
02/15/2017 01:58 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
UncleLuff Offline
Traveler
UncleLuff  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
Quote
cwoody said:
Another great interactive weather app...

Windyty


WOw that is really cool! I could look at that all day! quite the system just off the coast of Newfoundland. That's what must have dumped 30 cms of snow on us! Sorry New Brunswick I know you got slammed way worse!


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