T&T: Wind and wave advice

[Jim Ague]

I'm sure the westcoasters on this list think we sound like a bunch of 
sissies over here, but why be uncomfortable when you don't have to.

We have waited at anchorage at Sunset Lake near Cape May for several days 
until the weather turns good, and likewise at Atlantic Highlands, south end 
of Sandy Hook.

Listen to NOAA weather but don't trust it fully, use your own judgment. 
After three days at Atlantic Highlands and the final 24 hours windless but 
NOAA still proclaiming bad stuff, we decided to spend an hour boatride to go 
take a peek outside with plans to definitely turnaround if it was 
uncomfortable. It wasn't. In fact it turned out to be one of the nicest 
rides down the NJ coast.

Another trick. If someone leaves the anchorage early in the AM, take note of 
their boatname. One hour later from either of the above anchorages they will 
be out on the ocean just a few miles due east of you. Hail them and ask 
how's it going.

As to your question, wait until a weather high sets into your area and do it 
on a day where the wind is 5 kts or less, although 5 to 10 kts isn't all 
that bad either.

-- Jim Ague