Understanding surf wind and swell reports

I just discovered another factor to consider. I am thinking about going crabbing at HMB this weekend so I was checking the forecast on Windfinder. There are three stations to choose from. Pillar point, the beach and out in the bay. I imagine it is common to have more than one in the vicinity to look at. Which forecast will be the most helpful for crabbing? In general which type is more helpful for kayaking? Thanks

I just discovered another factor to consider. I am thinking about going crabbing at HMB this weekend so I was checking the forecast on Windfinder. There are three stations to choose from. Pillar point, the beach and out in the bay. I imagine it is common to have more than one in the vicinity to look at. Which forecast will be the most helpful for crabbing? In general which type is more helpful for kayaking? Thanks

Sorry for the slow response; I believe this is what you were asking for:

http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/pillar_point_harbor

 NOAA forcast 15-25 through sat., and no wind sunday. But that is probably only way outside where you won't be.
  When it's this very common high pressure system HMB will be pretty calm in the morning then the wind kicks up every afternoon. It will be from the north, which will blow you away from the harbor entrance. Thats why everybody goes early. A lot of times it's pretty breezy by 11.
  Don't go alone, have a radio, and make sure you can get back on your yak by yourself.

NOAA forcast 15-25 through sat., and no wind sunday. But that is probably only way outside where you won't be.
  When it's this very common high pressure system HMB will be pretty calm in the morning then the wind kicks up every afternoon. It will be from the north, which will blow you away from the harbor entrance. Thats why everybody goes early. A lot of times it's pretty breezy by 11.
  Don't go alone, have a radio, and make sure you can get back on your yak by yourself.

If I understand this, I guess that is why it matters which forecast I look at, pillar point, the beach or out in the bay. Which is the right one to watch for crabbing?

I just discovered another factor to consider. I am thinking about going crabbing at HMB this weekend so I was checking the forecast on Windfinder. There are three stations to choose from. Pillar point, the beach and out in the bay. I imagine it is common to have more than one in the vicinity to look at. Which forecast will be the most helpful for crabbing? In general which type is more helpful for kayaking? Thanks

Sorry for the slow response; I believe this is what you were asking for:

http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/pillar_point_harbor

Or were you saying that Pillar Point is the one to use? When you mentioned the slow response I thought at first you were replying to the question I asked you about the Crabfest forecast.

Or were you saying that Pillar Point is the one to use?

I use varies sources of weather information to plan my trip; but it ultimately will come down to what I visual see when I get to the location, that determines whether or not I go out. My life and the lives of those who may have to rescue me is not worth 10 crabs or a limit of fish...

When you mentioned the slow response I thought at first you were replying to the question I asked you about the Crabfest forecast.

maybe that, maybe your PM or maybe your post on this thread; I tend to get busy and forget alot these days.... but you've got the link, so you should be all good! 

Just remember:

1.) When the 'wave/swell interval value' are +/-10% of the 'wave height value', stay on shore...
2.) When decent size swells are coming from the Northh/NorthWest and the winds are coming from the south, stay on shore...
3.) When the 'Red Flag' is flying at the Harbormaster Office, stay on shore...
4.) When you ask yourself, "should I really go out there?", stay on shore....

Last one: When more than 8 people on your 'Hookup Post' tells you to be careful out there, stay on shore....

Yes to all that, but I'm trying to figure out which station forecast is going to give me the info for crabbing. The forecast for Pillar Point Harbor looked calmer than the other two. I don't want to read a forecast for 10 miles off shore and stay home if it has nothing to do with the conditions I will actually encounter. If you are going out, which one do you use to get a forecast?

If you are going out, which one do you use to get a forecast?

When "I" go out of PP Harbor, I use both NOAA and Wind/Wave; Wind/Wave gives me the condition on the inside, NOAA gives me the conditions on the outside.

If you are going out, which one do you use to get a forecast?

When "I" go out of PP Harbor, I use both NOAA and Wind/Wave; Wind/Wave gives me the condition on the inside, NOAA gives me the conditions on the outside.

When I looked at wind/wave I had the choice of the Pillar Point station/buoy, the beach and out in the bay itself. I am guessing the NOAA report you use is the station/buoy that is in the bay and the wind/wave station you check is for Pillar Point Harbor.

When I load the wind/wave page it starts with a map over the middle of the USA. I drag it over to Half Moon Bay and I see 3 spots to click on for the different forecasts. One on the north end of the beach for Pillar Point, one on the middle of the beach and one off shore a little bit. It sounds like you are using the the Pillar Point and the Bay forecasts. I must not understand something because this question seems to be more complicated than it should be.

There are many forecast station all along the coast. I know we want to use a forecast local to where we are launching. There are three to choose from that are local to HMB. I am trying to learn which of those three "stations" give the forecast that covers the info we need for launching and crabbing at HMB. Thanks

There are many forecast station all along the coast. I know we want to use a forecast local to where we are launching. There are three to choose from that are local to HMB. I am trying to learn which of those three "stations" give the forecast that covers the info we need for launching and crabbing at HMB. Thanks

Traildad,

It all depends on where in Half Moon Bay you intend to launch from; then look at the map on W&W and select the closest station.

Now, if you "intend" to launch at Pillar Point Harbor, (that's where most of us do when we fish/crab in the Half Moon Bay area), then select "Pillar Point Harbor" (which was the link I posted up initially).

Ok that makes sense and is what I assumed. I just didn't want to rely on assumption. Thanks again.