Beaufort Force

 (what about sailing?)

Description 

[in miles per hour]

Land signs

Water signs

Canoe-Sailors criteria

[Suggested appropriate sail area for most people in typical cruising situations in square feet]

Inland

(on open stretches)

Coastal - open   sea state   (wave height in feet)

0

(not worth it)

Calm

[<1]

Smoke rises straight up.

 Leaves do not stir.

Like a millpond/mirror

Calm

(0)

Don't bother to put sails up; paddle.  Use sponge to mop brow and swat flies [0!].

1

(barely worth it)

Light air [1-3.5]

Smoke drifts.

Wind-vanes unresponsive.

Only ripples - like scales.

Calm

(0)

Burgees unreliable.  Sailing very leisurely.  Paddling would probably be faster downwind, and definitely upwind.  Use sponge as headrest.  Move slowly and carefully in boat to avoid disturbing sails [60+!].

2

(pleasant)

Light Breeze [3.5-7]

Wind felt on face.

Leaves rustle.

Light flags not extended.

Small, smooth wavelets, short, not breaking but more pronounced.

Smooth

(0.5-1)

Burgees respond.  Good conditions for learning and relaxed cruising.  May need to balance boat.  Sailing downwind is faster than paddling but paddling upwind would probably be faster for the keener paddler.  Use sponge to sit or kneel on.  Tacking needs to be smooth [40-50]

3

(good)

Gentle Breeze [7-12]

Light flags extended.

Leaves in constant motion.

Larger wavelets, crests occasionally breaking; ie a few whitecaps.

Smooth

(1-3)

Ideal sailing.  (Maybe too exciting for learners!) Boat moves well on all points.  Need to move across to balance boat when reaching and beating.  Tacking needs to be smooth and purposeful.  Sailing downwind very rewarding; upwind may invite a little spray into the boat. Use sponge to mop out. [30-40].

4

(exciting)

Moderate Breeze [12-18]

Most flags extended.

Small branches move.

Dust may be raised.

Small waves growing longer.  Fairly frequent whitecaps.

Slight

(3-5)

Exhilarating conditions.  Beam/broad reaching is fast: may even plane if pushed hard.  Downwind is exciting: with surfing but risk of broaching.  Upwind is fairly hard and wet: use sponge and probably bailer.  Tacking may fail due to waves stopping boat.  Gybes risky.  It may be wise to reef or even paddle [20-30].

5

(too exciting!)

Brisk/

Fresh Breeze

[18-24]

Small trees sway.

Tops of all trees in motion.

Moderate pronounced waves.  Many white- caps.  A little spray.

Moderate

(6-8)

Canoe-sailors gale.  Too much for most people. Almost survival time if caught out.  Upwind is virtually impossible even reefed or paddling:- reef and beam or broad reach for safe shoreline being careful of surfing too fast and broaching: or drop rig and paddle [15-20].

6

(forget it!!)

Strong Breeze [24-31]

Large branches in motion. Overhead wires whistle.

Large waves.  Extensive foam crests and spray.

Rough

(10-13)

Definite survival conditions:- drop rig and mast; keep low and paddle for safety [0!].