Sailing lull

[kpgraci]

I haven't been sailing in weeks, perhaps months, I don't remember when. It's the darn heat and the giant scary thunderstorms. I don't like being on the lake with these summer storms lurking about. It's quieter and cooler at night but these mega cumulonimbus clouds just worry me. I can't out run them, there everywhere. Being on the south shore means a south wind makes for some nice sailing, but that southerly flow brings up a ton of moisture from the gulf. I know much of the country is in a drought, sorry, not down here.

Actually, I wouldn't mind being out in a little rain, the chop would be bad but I could anchor, 60 mph guts would be undesirable but with everything battened down I'm sure I would be fine - if not uncomfortable - but the lightning? Something about being a giant floating lighting rod on a large flat surface that bothers me.

So am I being overly cautious? I don't want to think I lost my nerve. (yeah its kind of rhetorical)

PRECIPITATION (IN)
YESTERDAY 0.09
MONTH TO DATE 10.71
SINCE JUN 1 13.89
SINCE JAN 1 37.73

 

[BobM]

If I didn't go sailing when there was a forecast of isolated or chance of thunderstorms I would lose 50% of the summer days. Get out there.

Keep a weather radio on (most portable VHF's have a weather band) and watch for weather. You could have ten knots tomorrow. If you are really concerned, set your alarm for 6am, buy yourself breakfast and then go sailing. Taking a weather course might give you more confidence too.

 

[MrUnix]

So am I being overly cautious?

Yes.

Cheers,
Brad

 

[finding41]

Out of all those lightning strikes in the photo only 5 were on or near the water. Maybe ask at the arenas in those areas and see if any boats were hit.
Odds are...
I'm not saying be careless but if you never go sailing because of the weather then you never go sailing.

 

[kpgraci]

Yeah...around here in the summer when they say 30% change of rain..it means it will rain 30% of the time. So it seems anyway. I would guess the odds of actually having one of these guys come over me even on a 30% day would be lower than 30%...

I'm determined to get out there this weekend.

 

[njwtech]

Here in southern Florida we have the same problem in the summer. But we sail in the mornings and have had some of the best sails ever in the last few weeks despite the storms around. We watch the Weatherbug radar maps on our phones or tablet and either get off the water or run off to the side to let it pass when it looks like the red patches are going to hit us. I love modern technology. We try to sail at least once a week except the week that Debby blew through. Chances of getting hurt by lightning are pretty slim, and we have a better shot statistically in a sailboat than you would in a motor boat. And doppler radar on the web is our friend. The mast may be tall, but it seems to provide some protection as well. Go for it... we do... life's too short to spend it looking out the window.

 

[JonnyQuest]

Bully for you, get out there!

It's the heat that keeps me from heading out. Will probably start early evening sails-- beats both the heat and the thunderstorms; got caught in a nasty mess during the day two weekends back here on the coast.

How about heading out at night? You're talking about Lake Pontchartrain, right?

 

[tommays]

there is another (main round) of storms coming this afternoon expected 4pm - midnight
with tornado watchs to the north and 'unusually high lightning' is expected. Some are saying its like a once every couple months type of lightning. Someone who has never run a regatta or been struck by lightning might call that pussification and send a fleet and RC out into a predicted squall line like that.

You have to know how bad it is REALLY going to get as a boat was LOST off target rock in the last week AND they just PUT the Around Long Island Regatta on a 24 hour hold due to what is about 3 hours away

 

[weinie]

there is another (main round) of storms coming this afternoon expected 4pm - midnight
with tornado watchs to the north and 'unusually high lightning' is expected. Some are saying its like a once every couple months type of lightning. Someone who has never run a regatta or been struck by lightning might call that pussification and send a fleet and RC out into a predicted squall line like that.

You have to know how bad it is REALLY going to get as a boat was LOST off target rock in the last week AND they just PUT the Around Long Island Regatta on a 24 hour hold due to what is about 3 hours away

I took tomorrow off for nothing...:cry:

 

[kloudie1]

Ken, I was in Mandeville the last couple of days and I could see the big guys over the South Shore. Today was a repeat .. They did generate a nice cool breeze for us on the North Shore.
Lightning.. I have noticed that strikes on the open water happen less frequently than strikes at the tree line on the edge of the lake.. I don't try to get to a bayou when I see I am going to be run over by one.. I do try to go perpendicular to its line of travel so will be under it for the shortest time.

 

[waternwaves]

all that convective activity generates lots of varying surface winds. = Fun

I know that that more people drown every year than are hit by lightning.

And I am silly enough to go out on a boat and risk drowning. (Though I do turn off all the electric loads and start motoring to safety when those puffy cumulus anvils get close. )

Could get hit by a car on the way to the boat. Probably a lot more likely top get a knockdown than hit by lightning. (2 knockdowns in conventional sailboats so far) (Hobies dont count in that total)

 

[kpgraci]

How about heading out at night? You're talking about Lake Pontchartrain, right?

Right. I like sailing at night on the lake, and yes, most of the storms die out at night - but they can still happen (leftovers from the day's activity).

I need to get a smart phone so I can get a radar picture - that would make me feel better. My 2 kids and wife have top of the line phones with top of the line data plans - it all adds up so I've been a hold out - but I'm the one that actually needs all that stuff - you know, for useful stuff, like sailing,

 

[kpgraci]

Ken, I was in Mandeville the last couple of days and I could see the big guys over the South Shore. Today was a repeat .. They did generate a nice cool breeze for us on the North Shore.
Lightning.. I have noticed that strikes on the open water happen less frequently than strikes at the tree line on the edge of the lake.. I don't try to get to a bayou when I see I am going to be run over by one.. I do try to go perpendicular to its line of travel so will be under it for the shortest time.

Hey Claude,

This pattern has been in place for weeks, I was waiting for it the break but its been a rubber stamped forecast...on land I've seen rain everyday for the last three weeks, but they roll over quickly, I'm sure that's quite a rush out on a boat...

 

[kloudie1]

Ken.. heading out this evening with some friends for an evening/night slalom around the crab pot floats .. that is if the storms are done by the time we get there.. Otherwise we'll sit in the slip and do the cheezey crackers and sip a beverage .. Should be a fine evening.

Yup.. we are in the 90's : 90 days of 90% humidity and 90 F .. plus the 3-5 PM thunderstorm..

 

[Sandy Stone]

We had a gully-washer pass over Slidell this afternoon, but it's petered out now. Hopefully, that's all we'll see today - I think I might try & get out this evening, too.

 

[kloudie1]

Had a really fine sail on the Pontchartain this evening.. Storms on the south side had cooled us off.. wind was a solid 6 kts from the southwest... I didn't think it would be as comfortable as it was.. very nice .. left the harbor at 6 PM and we were back in by 8:30.. Would have been a fine ride to Biloxi tonight !

 

[Sandy Stone]

Yep, I got delayed a little bit and didn't hit the mouth of Bayou Liberty until about sunset. It was glorious, I saw maybe as much as eight knots, beautiful waxing moon. Having a sailboat - priceless!