The Flight of M/V DRAGONFLY

It is always important to know your own limits.

Most boaters will agree that their vessel is capable of surviving far rougher seas than they would be willing to endure. As such, it is important for cruisers to have a set of criteria used to determine whether to leave the dock or anchorage. If the weather and seas meet or are below the criteria, then the journey begins. If not, then the prudent cruiser will stay put for another (or several) days.

Here are DRAGONFLY’s criteria, liberally borrowed from Jim Healy’s criteria.

Acceptable

• Bright sun to periodic light rain
• Visibility > 3 miles
• Seas < 2 feet
• Wind < 15 kts
• Air temperatures > 60 F

Marginal

• Periods of rain, no or “isolated” t’storms
• Visibility > 1 mile
• Seas 2-4 feet if following, 2-3 feet if ahead, abeam or abaft of abeam
• Winds < 20- 25 kts
• Air temps >45℉<60℉;
• Stable or with an improving forecast.

Unacceptable

• Thunderstorms, strong squalls, persistent rain
• Visibility <1 mile
• Winds > 25 kts
• Air temps <45℉
• Deteriorating forecast.