Any thoughts on maximum number of crew/weight for a trip up the Thames. I've only had 5 on board a couple of times but find myself in the unusual position of being oversubscribed for a trip over the bank holiday weekend with a possibility of 6 light/medium adults. I estimate the total crew weight to be around 900lbs / 400kg. Snekke is a fairly lightly kitted fractional rig with outboard motor only. Any thoughts?

It all depends.

If you are simply travelling on flat water then 11 adults distributed evenly on deck can be carried. However we only went about 300 metres in this configuration - we collected a couple of boats worth of crew from moorings in the Hamble after a race . The boat felt pretty wobbly as at this point there is more weight on deck than on the keel.

Six people can be carried (5 inside) from Hamble to the Isle of Wight (7 miles) in a force 5 along with all their sailing kit.

However this is with an inboard diesel

We never tried more than four adults sleeping on board. A boom tent and extension using a boathook could make an uncomfortable couple of small berths in the cockpit, combined with the spray hood.

I have raced in a force four with seven crew but the compromise was that two people simply sat all the time opposite each other at the aft end of the cockpit.

Thanks Mike,

I'll give six a go then and offer the old Redstart as sleeping quarters for any crew with smelly feet. In fact a friend from Greenwich has offered accommodation so sleeping everyone won't be a problem.

Regards,

Gordon.