Hi,

Does anyone know of a site that has archived shipping and/or inshore waters
forecasts?

For those that are interested.. The reason.

My mother purchased a "Red Letter" day for my father(50th b'day), the day
was to be spent on either America's cup yachts France 1 or 2 racing around
the solent. The pack clearly indicated that cancellations only occurred in
severe weather conditions. My parents set off on the Saturday to stay in a
hotel so my father would be fresh for Sunday.

On arrival at the venue my father was met by a chap with a clip board
clearly ticking off names for the days sail. As fast as my father mentioned
the words "Red Letter" he was told the day had been cancelled because Force
8 winds had been forecast the previous evening.

I knew strong winds had been forecast for Sunday on the Friday but by
Saturday morning the Met office had wound down the forecast. We spent the
weekend on a club rally and I kept track of the forecast locally in the
Thames, the whole situation had calmed considerably from the original Friday
night forecast. My mother has since phoned the met office and been told
verbally that 23 knots, the low end of a six, were forecast in the relevant
sea area.

We are all a bit puzzled as to where this Force 8 forecast came from. If
anyone has a forecast for the area or knows of an archive of forecasts I
would be most grateful. The met would like hard cash for a hard copy. I
figured I would try the net first.

All responses greatly appreciated,

Paul