Question for Boaters

[maciec]

This is for all you boaters out there ...... how do you know if the seas will be calm before you leave the house to go to your boat?

The reason that I ask is because we are supposed to take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry on Thursday and I am praying for calm seas.

Is there a forecast for sea calmness??

 

[aidensdad]

I use one of the local news channels websites for tide charts and wind speeds and chances of rain for all my boat outings.

 

[debster812]

You can also go to Weather.com, and there are tabs across the top. One of them is 'recreation'. Click on that, and then about 1/3 of the way down the page is a tab for 'boat and beach'. Go there, put in your ZIP code, or name of city, and you'll see surf height, sea conditions, water temp, prevailing winds, etc.

We're very lucky, as I drive a Subaru, which comes with a weather band radio, one channel is the Marine weather forcast.

 

[BC]

We are in NC, so I don't know what wind direction would be more of a problem for you, but here the worst is a NorthEast wind. Anything over 5-10 MPH is too much for me to consider it fun. By the way, I have taken that ferry and I am not one to ever get seasick, but that day I sure did. I didn't think we would ever get across. It was choppy all the way! Not trying to discourage you, but wanted to be honest. It was best when I stayed outside in the fresh air rather than going inside.

 

[gallaj0]

If your really concerned about seasickness, drink some ginger ale before you get on, or while your on the ferry; ginger helps settle your stomach, it's one of the best natural remedies for seasickness.

Also, stay up on deck, and keep your eyes on the horizon if you feel sick; it helps.

 

[maciec]

Thank you all so much. I am hopeful that it will be calm once all of the storms have gone. I have never taken the ferry so I don't know what to expect. If we go around the long way it adds an additional 4 hours total to our trip (YUCK!)