S O S ..... we're taking on water ...

[HighTide]

Greetings friends,

I have a 100 pound dinghy with a 20 foot sail capable of going 15 knots per hour max.. I am attempting to sail from my current position to the nearest point of Catalina Island which is approximately 30 miles. According to my calculation, I can set sail early in the morning and make it there in 3 hours. Before I do however, I need to know the acceleration and the minimum force of the waves pounding against my dinghy so I can reinforce the sides as needed. But I don't want to add too much unnecessary weight. Just enough to keep it afloat.

Thanks !

Guinness Book, here I come.

[timgoz]

Just say 15 knots, the "per hour" is implied.

TGoz

[charmc]

Knot: a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour.

High tide,

"Knots per hour" makes you sound like a landlubber, a bit scary for someone planning on sailing a small dinghy across 30 miles of open ocean filled with those hungry great whites!

Having gotten the obligatory "dig" in, to consider your question: it's really impossible to calculate wave force without a set of given conditions: boat speed, angle of approach to the waves, wind direction, wind velocity, wave height, hull shape and design, bow shape, etc., etc., etc. If you are serious, you need to contact a competent marine architect or dinghy designer to do the necessary calculations.

Charlie

[Mychael]

Or 6080 feet, as opposed to 5280 feet for a statute or "road" mile.
However you count it seems like a big adventure in a dinghy.

Mychael

[safewalrus]

Seriously buddy as charmc said if you need to ask this question you should also be asking the question "do I know enough about what i intend to doso as not to kill myself?" If the answer is no then you need to stay away until the answer is yes! Getting into the guinness book of records is great but not if your dead!

Sorry to sound so negative but I'd rather have a living guy on the beach rather than a dead one floating around on the sea - with others taking risks to rescue you (should they know of course)

[HighTide]

Hmmmm, after reading the "brain teaser" thread, I was under the impression the folks here are highly educated. At least way above the inhabitants of the other boat related forums. I'm sure most of you know what I'm talking about. I'll leave it at that.

No, I don't intend on sailing in a dinghy anywhere. I threw the scenario in the post above to exploit your logic and reasoning for personal gain. Obviously, I failed. Strike one.

[timgoz]

Hightide,

I assure you most forum members do not "understand" what you are talking about. To put forth a question in a logical manner, YOU have to understand what you are talking about.

People have taken time to advise you against your hypothetical (we now find out) proposed misadventure because of concern for your safety. Now we find out you where just playing games.

There are many people out there actually considering such dangerous stunts. Do not waste others time blowing smoke.

TGoz

[SamSam]

Originally Posted by HighTide

Greetings friends,

I have a 100 pound dinghy with a 20 foot sail capable of going 15 knots per hour max.. I am attempting to sail from my current position to the nearest point of Catalina Island which is approximately 30 miles. According to my calculation, I can set sail early in the morning and make it there in 3 hours. Before I do however, I need to know the acceleration and the minimum force of the waves pounding against my dinghy so I can reinforce the sides as needed. But I don't want to add too much unnecessary weight. Just enough to keep it afloat.

Thanks !

Guinness Book, here I come.

I'm not sure what you mean by wave 'acceleration', but the minimum force would be zero, so what you need to do to save unnecessary weight is once you are out a good ways from shore, start taking parts off the dingy and throw them overboard. It will become apparent when you've gone too far on that strategy. Good luck! You're welcome! Sam

[safewalrus]

Hitide

best way to save unnessessary weight is stay in the asylum

[Poida]

Is that from experience Mr Walruss.

[safewalrus]

you noticed - I am amazed! (or is it amused?)

[Mychael]

No, more like "dazed and confused".. lol.

Mychael

[safewalrus]

S.n.a.f.u!

[gonzo]

I routinely sailed a 10' dinghy between islands in the Caribbean. Most of them are withing sight. WE THE MASTER MARINERS OF THE FORUM SAY: if you ask questions to tease our minds at least wait until the rum fumes disipate a bit.

[charmc]

Originally Posted by gonzo

WE THE MASTER MARINERS OF THE FORUM

Good to know I'm in such grand company!