T&T: Wind and wave advice

[Alan Bellack]

I am planning a trip from the Chesapeake
to New York
this summer in my
American Tug '34 (20,000 lbs, 10-12 kt cruising speed, very sea kindly). I
have never been on the ocean before. Friends have told me: a) ocean (coastal)
seas are much
more comfortable than Bay seas at the same wave heights, and b)
it is an easy
trip, just wait for a "good weather window" before heading out.
However, no one has been able to tell me what a "good weather window"
is or
what wave heights are comfortable in my type of boat. Clearly, "comfortable"
is a relative term both physically and psychologically, and I can figure out
what a really"bad" weather window is. We have been out in 4-6'
seas and 25-30
kt winds several times in the Bay and it is unpleasant, but far
from
dangerous. Can anyone give me some advice on what to look for and expect
in
coastal conditions? Thanks.



Alan S. Bellack
Sea Otter, American Tug '34
Annapolis, MD
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