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North swell effects #74909
11/13/2015 10:14 AM
11/13/2015 10:14 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 17
TropicalBlend Offline OP
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TropicalBlend  Offline OP
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We're going to bringing our Nordhavn, Tropical Blend, over to BVI in a week or so. I was checking the weather, and I see that the swells are now from the north, but the east trades are still blowing. That makes for some rolly anchorages.

For those of you that are currently or recently out on the water, can you comment on how much the 3' swell is affecting the anchorages?


Living life at seven knots on the M/V Tropical Blend
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Re: North swell effects [Re: TropicalBlend] #74910
11/13/2015 10:22 AM
11/13/2015 10:22 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Offline
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Manpot  Offline
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Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Very small swell right now..less than 3 feet..wont have any effect on anchorages..

Re: North swell effects [Re: Manpot] #74911
11/13/2015 10:54 AM
11/13/2015 10:54 AM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
CottageGirl Offline
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CottageGirl  Offline
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Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
We were on a ball at Cooper last night. No rolling.

Re: North swell effects [Re: CottageGirl] #74912
11/13/2015 10:57 AM
11/13/2015 10:57 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 17
TropicalBlend Offline OP
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TropicalBlend  Offline OP
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Windguru and Buoyweather forecasts are pretty different over the next week. BW is showing 3' waves from the north, winds 15 to 20 from the east. WG shows a similar sized NE or E swell, much better considering the wind direction. We'll be around the north side of St. John for a few days, then heading over to BVI for a week or so, Our boat rolls notoriously in a beam swell at anchor. I foresee deployment of flopper stoppers in our future.


Living life at seven knots on the M/V Tropical Blend
Re: North swell effects [Re: TropicalBlend] #74913
11/13/2015 11:23 AM
11/13/2015 11:23 AM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
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LocalSailor  Offline
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Posts: 1,347
USVI
If the swells are up and you want to stay in STJ there is always the S. side - Rendezvous, the Lameshurs and Salt Pond are often flat calm during a N. swell event.
Leinster isn't a bad choice up close to shore as well. I watch this site for real time info in a buoy 160 NM North.

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/show_plot.php?s...;time_label=GMT

Re: North swell effects [Re: LocalSailor] #74914
11/13/2015 06:04 PM
11/13/2015 06:04 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148
road town
sleepychef Offline
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Posts: 1,148
road town
Surfers are arriving Monday

Re: North swell effects [Re: TropicalBlend] #74915
11/13/2015 08:19 PM
11/13/2015 08:19 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
S
StormJib Offline
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StormJib  Offline
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Posts: 1,049
Massive Weather conditions in the Northern Atlantic have been and will continue to create massive waves that will end as Northern Swell in the coming days and the next ten days across the caribbean.

[Linked Image]


[Linked Image]

The swell forecast should be checked carefully each day for any open anchorage. Rapid changing swell is possible over the next week at least.

In most cases the large north swell that impacts the BVI is the result of storm a 1,000 miles away or more and waves that have traveled for days.

Re: North swell effects [Re: StormJib] #74916
11/13/2015 08:30 PM
11/13/2015 08:30 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
S
StormJib Offline
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StormJib  Offline
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Way early to really tell. But, Next weekend the and even late next week could be very interesting swell, wind, and waves across the area.

NOTE: This is the wave forecast for next Saturday or 7 Days out! Note the storm the models see off the coast of Mexico?

[Linked Image]

Re: North swell effects [Re: StormJib] #74917
11/14/2015 08:50 AM
11/14/2015 08:50 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 17
TropicalBlend Offline OP
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TropicalBlend  Offline OP
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Thanks for the contributions. IIRC, the most protected anchorages during a north swell are:

JVD - Great Harbour
Norman Island bight
Peter - Great Harbour, White Bay
Tortola - Soper's Hole, Trellis Bay
Virgin Gorda - North Sound
Anegada

Are there any other recommended anchorages for north swell conditions? I have read the current cruising guides, but one can never have enough info.

We're thinking about coming straight from Red Hook to JVD, returning to SJ when the swells are down. Our boat is a very seaworthy Nordhavn trawler, but it does roll in a beam swell at anchor. We're also looking to anchor, as the boat is heavy at 25 tons, and we don't trust most of the moorings. We haven't been to BVI since 2011, and this will be the first trip on our own boat.


Living life at seven knots on the M/V Tropical Blend
Re: North swell effects [Re: TropicalBlend] #74918
11/14/2015 09:21 AM
11/14/2015 09:21 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
We should add areas to avoid.

I will start with white Bay jost van Dyke, Cooper island, sometimes marina Cay.


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: North swell effects [Re: warren460] #74919
11/14/2015 09:42 AM
11/14/2015 09:42 AM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,423
Miramichi NB Canada
Sandsailsun Offline
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Posts: 2,423
Miramichi NB Canada
I will add Cane Garden Bay, White Bay Guana . Depending on the height of the swell sometimes Lee Bay Great Camanoe gets a wrap around swell.


Kim

Re: North swell effects [Re: warren460] #74920
11/14/2015 10:29 AM
11/14/2015 10:29 AM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,018
annap, MD/BVI-Nanny Cay
hallucination Offline
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hallucination  Offline
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Posts: 1,018
annap, MD/BVI-Nanny Cay
I was very surprised that Diamond Cay was not a mess in 4m swells. there were these 10-12 foot wave crashing on the reef, and still as a pond at the morning field.

slept like a baby with that surf noise going on.

Re: North swell effects [Re: warren460] #74921
11/14/2015 03:16 PM
11/14/2015 03:16 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 507
Here and There in Michigan
H
HoosierDaddy Offline
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HoosierDaddy  Offline
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H
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 507
Here and There in Michigan
Yes,
Avoid Cooper Island until after January 25th. smile

Re: North swell effects [Re: HoosierDaddy] #74922
11/14/2015 04:07 PM
11/14/2015 04:07 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 17
TropicalBlend Offline OP
Traveler
TropicalBlend  Offline OP
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 17
Yeah, I experienced a very rolly night there around Thanksgiving in 2009. It's strange how some of the anchorages on the south shores get pounded by north swells. In most places we have been, lee shores have been very protected.


Living life at seven knots on the M/V Tropical Blend
Re: North swell effects [Re: HoosierDaddy] #74923
11/14/2015 06:38 PM
11/14/2015 06:38 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind Offline
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sail2wind  Offline
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Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
Quote
HoosierDaddy said:
Yes,
Avoid Cooper Island until after January 25th. smile



interesting there is an actual date in which the swell stops <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Re: North swell effects [Re: sail2wind] #74924
11/14/2015 07:05 PM
11/14/2015 07:05 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
N
NCSailor Offline
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NCSailor  Offline
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N
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
I'm sure Ron is fast on wiki working up an answer that cites swell data back to Columbus.

Re: North swell effects [Re: NCSailor] #74925
11/14/2015 07:19 PM
11/14/2015 07:19 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 507
Here and There in Michigan
H
HoosierDaddy Offline
Traveler
HoosierDaddy  Offline
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H
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 507
Here and There in Michigan
sail2wind: Just trying to keep one mooring ball available the week of Jan 18th.
I've been lucky in the past and have never experienced North Swells at Cooper.
The first time I ever got close to White Bay, JVD, I saw masts swaying and told our crew, no way we are going to even try that that place for an overnight.

Re: North swell effects [Re: NCSailor] #74926
11/14/2015 07:22 PM
11/14/2015 07:22 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530
Ya never know...
HillsideView Offline
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HillsideView  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530
Ya never know...
Quote
NCSailor said:
I'm sure Ron is fast on wiki working up an answer that cites swell data back to Columbus.



He will be along later. His Mom told him he had to clean his room before he could copy and paste more stuff. And it's Saturday night, so playing in the tub will occupy him a bit longer.


My foot fits right into my shoe and my shoe will fit right into your...
Re: North swell effects [Re: HillsideView] #74927
11/14/2015 08:10 PM
11/14/2015 08:10 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 925
Michigan
rhans Offline
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rhans  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 925
Michigan
Quote
HillsideView said:
Quote
NCSailor said:
I'm sure Ron is fast on wiki working up an answer that cites swell data back to Columbus.



He will be along later. His Mom told him he had to clean his room before he could copy and paste more stuff. And it's Saturday night, so playing in the tub will occupy him a bit longer.


Be nice. You know he’s pressing his Blazer to impress the servers at the KFC Sunday brunch.

Last edited by rhans; 11/14/2015 08:12 PM.
Re: North swell effects [Re: rhans] #74928
11/14/2015 09:20 PM
11/14/2015 09:20 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
S
StormJib Offline
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StormJib  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
The blazer is always pressed...

I did recheck my crystal ball for you and yes the weather will change this week resulting in greater swell and wind coming into next weekend... Both the wind and swell will diminish at some point and then return with a vengeance. I do not have any notes on Columbus? We do have some family bibles that talk about waves on a old boat called Mayflower.

[Linked Image]

Re: North swell effects [Re: StormJib] #74929
11/14/2015 11:34 PM
11/14/2015 11:34 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
Traveler
LocalSailor  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI

Re: North swell effects [Re: rhans] #74930
11/14/2015 11:57 PM
11/14/2015 11:57 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 463
Chicago
YachtReprise Offline
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YachtReprise  Offline
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Posts: 463
Chicago
Quote
rhans said:
Quote
HillsideView said:
Quote
NCSailor said:
I'm sure Ron is fast on wiki working up an answer that cites swell data back to Columbus.



He will be along later. His Mom told him he had to clean his room before he could copy and paste more stuff. And it's Saturday night, so playing in the tub will occupy him a bit longer.


Be nice. You know he’s pressing his Blazer to impress the servers at the KFC Sunday brunch.


No one knows what your issue is with this individual...and no one cares.

Can we just play nice, and help each other better enjoy their time in the BVI?

Sheesh.

Re: North swell effects [Re: YachtReprise] #74931
11/15/2015 09:23 AM
11/15/2015 09:23 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
N
NCSailor Offline
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NCSailor  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
Quote
YachtReprise said:
Quote
rhans said:
Quote
HillsideView said:
Quote
NCSailor said:
I'm sure Ron is fast on wiki working up an answer that cites swell data back to Columbus.



He will be along later. His Mom told him he had to clean his room before he could copy and paste more stuff. And it's Saturday night, so playing in the tub will occupy him a bit longer.


Be nice. You know he’s pressing his Blazer to impress the servers at the KFC Sunday brunch.


No one knows what your issue is with this individual...and no one cares.

Can we just play nice, and help each other better enjoy their time in the BVI?

Sheesh.


You haven't been around long enough to know....and at least three of us care.

Re: North swell effects [Re: LocalSailor] #74932
11/15/2015 11:48 AM
11/15/2015 11:48 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 17
TropicalBlend Offline OP
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TropicalBlend  Offline OP
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 17
Quote
LocalSailor said:
Looks to be building:

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/show_plot.php?s...;time_label=GMT


It's looking pretty ugly by Friday. We're leaving Red Hook tomorrow, and we're debating whether to stop at Leinster or just head straight to Great Harbour. I think we'll make an on-the-water call.


Living life at seven knots on the M/V Tropical Blend
Re: North swell effects [Re: TropicalBlend] #74933
11/15/2015 05:04 PM
11/15/2015 05:04 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
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LocalSailor  Offline
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USVI
The buoy site only shows real time - it is not predictive for Fri and is already subsiding.

Last edited by LocalSailor; 11/15/2015 05:04 PM.
Re: North swell effects [Re: TropicalBlend] #74934
11/15/2015 08:14 PM
11/15/2015 08:14 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 144
We come from the land of ice a...
S
Subaqua Offline
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Subaqua  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 144
We come from the land of ice a...
Quote
TropicalBlend said:
Quote
LocalSailor said:
Looks to be building:

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/show_plot.php?s...;time_label=GMT


It's looking pretty ugly by Friday. We're leaving Red Hook tomorrow, and we're debating whether to stop at Leinster or just head straight to Great Harbour. I think we'll make an on-the-water call.


Isn't Lienster USVI and great harbour BVI?

Re: North swell effects [Re: Subaqua] #74935
11/15/2015 08:24 PM
11/15/2015 08:24 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 925
Michigan
rhans Offline
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rhans  Offline
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Posts: 925
Michigan
You'd be correct.

Re: North swell effects [Re: rhans] #74936
11/15/2015 09:42 PM
11/15/2015 09:42 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind Offline
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GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
I would think Maho/Francis would be less swell then Lienster.

Re: North swell effects [Re: sail2wind] #74937
11/16/2015 12:09 AM
11/16/2015 12:09 AM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 463
Chicago
YachtReprise Offline
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Chicago
Leinster wouldn't be a great choice in a large N swell.

Francis would be fine, unless it has a 'Western component'. If so, there's an anchorage monitor (or...I'm not sure what they call themselves. They're volunteers who are permanently stationed in the anchorage, and are both knowledgeable and friendly)who will sound the alarm if the Francis Bay/Maho Bay anchorage will be untenable.

Re: North swell effects [Re: YachtReprise] #74938
11/19/2015 06:20 PM
11/19/2015 06:20 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 896
SeaSeaRider Offline
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Posts: 896
Quote
YachtReprise said:

No one knows what your issue is with this individual...and no one cares.

Can we just play nice, and help each other better enjoy their time in the BVI?

Sheesh.


Been down there doing our sailing thing since 11/7 so haven't been able to post this sooner, but......Thank You!


Rob
Re: North swell effects [Re: SeaSeaRider] #74939
11/20/2015 12:24 AM
11/20/2015 12:24 AM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
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LocalSailor  Offline
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USVI

Re: North swell effects [Re: LocalSailor] #74940
11/20/2015 07:57 AM
11/20/2015 07:57 AM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 28
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lcroberts Offline
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We moored overnight in Caneel last night and it was very rolly. Plan was to stop in trunk bay for some snorkeling and then overnight in Leister but now wondering if we should skip Leister (and waterlemon) and head straight to JVD great harbor. Or would Maho be adequate ? Maybe we head straight to JVD and can leave Leister/Waterlemon for the trip back...? Thoughts? What site are those posting on this forum using to check swell data ?

Re: North swell effects [Re: lcroberts] #74941
11/20/2015 08:01 AM
11/20/2015 08:01 AM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
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sail445 Offline
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Posts: 3,003
The whole north shore will be rolly, Leinster bay on the east side is fine.
The swells should subside Saturday evening.

Re: North swell effects [Re: sail445] #74942
11/30/2015 07:53 PM
11/30/2015 07:53 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 61
Charlotte NC
gracet03 Offline
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Charlotte NC
Seas calm to Anegada but water visibility very poor including chichizen (10 feet) no rolling at moorings.

Re: North swell effects [Re: TropicalBlend] #74943
12/02/2015 02:37 PM
12/02/2015 02:37 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 22
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trawler_kid Offline
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My list of best anchorages in north swell season:

1. Little Harbor Jost Van Dyke
2. Bight Norman Island
3. Sprat Bay Peter
4. South Shore of St. John
5. Anywhere in the North Sound
6. Soper's Hole
7. Nanny Cay (few moorings mostly slips)
8. Little Harbour Peter Island
9. Leinster Bay St. John
10. Trellis Bay

Not happy places for folks with sensitive crew:

1. Cane Garden Bay
2. Caneel Bay
3. Great Harbor JVD
4. White Bay JVD
5. Maho and Francis Bays St. John

Others may disagree. YMMV.

PG


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