Safe weather running on the outside in South NJ Area

Fiesta270Forever

Just curious on everyone's thoughts on what weather conditions are safe. Looking at running my 05 F/V 270 in the ocean (not far off the coast) as the ICW can be tricky. This holiday weekend forecast is 2-4 foot seas, winds 10-15kt, which sounds not to hateful just looking for other peoples thoughts and past experiences!

TikiHut2

Welcome aboard F270.
 I've spent many hours offshore but there's more to a safe weather window than just relying on one source, it's a complicated thing to figure. If all I had was what you posted I wouldn't do it in our 270 if I was going far even with my experience. 10-15 isn't a placid sea and it can go either way in short order.

Are you equipped for trouble, is the boat well maintained, is the crew able bodied, is the weather expected to hold and are you familiar with the inlets and safe zones in the area?

All relevant things to consider. Nothing beats a perfect day offshore but respect the sea and be safe.

Have a great season, Mike

Dream_Inn

That's a tough call, but I know a 3 foot chop here on the bay is a bit rough in my 40'.  Mike hit most of the thoughts, but also will you be heading South (into the wind this weekend) or both, south then north.  Heading into that wind I would say will be a bit rough.  Put it this way, they are calling for a 2-3 foot chop tonight on the bay, along with a 30-40% chance of rain.  I threw in the hat & said we will just chill at the dock instead of getting beat up a bit and chance of getting wet for fireworks.

Fiesta270Forever

Thanks for the insights, the vessel is well maintained and I've been boating for 3 years just not a lot of experience out on the open Ocean. I get nervous as I do have the respect for the sea and don't want to be one of the "statistics" 

Going out traveling south from around LBI, NJ (obviously North on the way home) The plan was to dock up in a Marina in AC, NJ for fireworks. Looking at weather forecasts in the area they are more forecasting winds around 8-12MPH, weather looks to be holding steady and plenty of good weather currently forecasted for tomorrow through the weekend with slight chance of rain (10%).

Black_Diamond

Besides safety equipment and area knowledge. Never over estimate what your crew can handle. Often the weakest link (think looking green). lol

raybo3

I have a 342 and I would not leave the dock if I saw 4 footers.... Just my 2 cents

Black_Diamond

342 here too. 4' waves are not all that fun for the crew here but doable. Mind you 4' on Lake Mich is not the same as 4' on the ocean (steeper and closer together waves on the big lake). I've done 6-8' waves and try to avoid that mess. Open water has different considerations for safety: dinghy, ditch bag, ideally SOLAS flares, marine radio (handheld too), gps/chart plotter / paper charts etc.