| What weather is safe to go out boating in? What | | | | Onshore winds blow from the ocean to the land. |
| wind speed and swell sizes are suitable for small | | | | Most of the time any offshore winds are too much |
| boats? The article below discusses safe weather | | | | for any small recreational boat. If you do have to go |
| conditions for boating. | | | | out in offshore winds, make sure they are light and |
| The best conditions for boating in depends on a few | | | | don't get caught to far out to sea. |
| factors. Firstly and most obviously, the size of your | | | | Swell is the other main factor that can affect small |
| boat. Larger boats may obviously be able to go out | | | | boats. Swell is the rising and falling movement of the |
| in rougher conditions due to their sheer size. The | | | | oceans currents. A large swell (over 8 foot) can |
| information below relates to smaller boats around the | | | | make offshore reefs break which can be extremely |
| 15-30 foot mark. | | | | dangerous for small boats. Swell under 8 foot is ideal |
| The wind speed and direction is a major factor in | | | | for small boats, as it will make the voyage both safer |
| ensuring you have a safe and comfortable | | | | and smoother. |
| experience. Ideally the wind should be blowing at less | | | | Any swell over 10 foot is extremely dangerous for |
| than 15 knots and be offshore. Offshore winds mean | | | | small boaters. These conditions should always be |
| the wind is blowing from the land out to the ocean. | | | | avoided. |
| Offshore winds usually happen more in the morning. | | | | A final thing to remember is to always log in and out |
| If they are higher than 15 knots it is usually | | | | before and after every boating trip. Someone should |
| uncomfortable and the further out to sea you go the | | | | always know where you are going, when you will be |
| rougher it gets. | | | | back and who to contact if you do not return. |