I am would like to hear some first hand accounts of how much wind and rough seas some have you have sailed through in your trailer sailboats. I currently have a Hunter 26 water ballast sailboat and I have sailed in waves of 3-5 feet with 20-25 knots of wind. I was reefed on the mainsail and had about a third of my jib unfurled. The boat did well and I was not too worried. I would not purposely look for much rougher conditions, but sometimes the conditions find you. I am thinking of a taking a long trip on Lake Superior this summer and this is part of my homework. Thanks in advance for any comments.
Experiences in rough seas and high winds?
- Thread starter Bungalow Bill
- Start date
I have taken a full gale in my old boat. It was in big water too...where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay. I would not like to ever see anything like that again...ever!
I have done 20+ knots in my Compac. It handled it well with a reefed main and a rolled 150 (it was about down to 120%). Based on that incident I think that having a second reef would be nice.
My thoughts are this: Follow the weather forecasts and watch for weather windows when doing big water. Always have places to duck and run if the weather deteriorates. Try not to have a schedule that is set in stone. Always leave a few days extra in trip planning to allow for bad weather.
One neglected part of planning is tides. When you are planning a trip, check the tides along with the weather. In my area it can mean a difference in the length of a sail and it also makes a difference in heavy weather. An example in my area is that if you are coming into the Potomac River from the Chesapeake Bay and the tide is with you, incoming tide, the waves where the current meets from the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River meet are really steep and heavy. They are popped up and nasty, sometimes breaking with strong current. It beats the tar out of you.
Be prepared at all times to be able to turn from your primary goal to a secondary place. It is pointless to try to go upwind in 25+ knot winds, fall off and go somewhere else.
Have good foul weather gear. Mine failed me during that gale and it was in April. I was hypodermic by the end of the day. Bad experience.
The other suggestion is to have jacklines and a harness. Rig them if you think there is a chance for high winds.
Keep an eye out for storms. Check your phone, if you have a signal, for radar maps. Watch storm cells. In my area there are afternoon storms in the summer. I get in by 5pm to make sure that I am at anchor when the storms hits.
Keep a charged VHF portable, and if possible, a regular VHF radio.
I have done 20+ knots in my Compac. It handled it well with a reefed main and a rolled 150 (it was about down to 120%). Based on that incident I think that having a second reef would be nice.
My thoughts are this: Follow the weather forecasts and watch for weather windows when doing big water. Always have places to duck and run if the weather deteriorates. Try not to have a schedule that is set in stone. Always leave a few days extra in trip planning to allow for bad weather.
One neglected part of planning is tides. When you are planning a trip, check the tides along with the weather. In my area it can mean a difference in the length of a sail and it also makes a difference in heavy weather. An example in my area is that if you are coming into the Potomac River from the Chesapeake Bay and the tide is with you, incoming tide, the waves where the current meets from the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River meet are really steep and heavy. They are popped up and nasty, sometimes breaking with strong current. It beats the tar out of you.
Be prepared at all times to be able to turn from your primary goal to a secondary place. It is pointless to try to go upwind in 25+ knot winds, fall off and go somewhere else.
Have good foul weather gear. Mine failed me during that gale and it was in April. I was hypodermic by the end of the day. Bad experience.
The other suggestion is to have jacklines and a harness. Rig them if you think there is a chance for high winds.
Keep an eye out for storms. Check your phone, if you have a signal, for radar maps. Watch storm cells. In my area there are afternoon storms in the summer. I get in by 5pm to make sure that I am at anchor when the storms hits.
Keep a charged VHF portable, and if possible, a regular VHF radio.
Bill,
Might I suggest that drive right by Duluth you plunk your boat right down in the Apostles?
Your boat will be fine there. With NOAA weather radio doing a fine job of warning of large weather systems, the only real potential worry is thunderstorms. You can prepare for these, but rarely outrun them. They will bring wind in the 30-50 knot range. And with that comes waves. Waves on Lake Superior tend to be steep and very short period.... An 8 foot swell in the ocean is a dangerous nasty square wave in the great lakes. Long lee shores will be your greatest worry in that regard. The islands allow you to get in the lee of an island as any storm approaches.
Our First 36.7 has a much wider operational window than our First 260 does, but we plan on bringing her up someday as well. Just be smart and you'll likely be fine.
Might I suggest that drive right by Duluth you plunk your boat right down in the Apostles?
Your boat will be fine there. With NOAA weather radio doing a fine job of warning of large weather systems, the only real potential worry is thunderstorms. You can prepare for these, but rarely outrun them. They will bring wind in the 30-50 knot range. And with that comes waves. Waves on Lake Superior tend to be steep and very short period.... An 8 foot swell in the ocean is a dangerous nasty square wave in the great lakes. Long lee shores will be your greatest worry in that regard. The islands allow you to get in the lee of an island as any storm approaches.
Our First 36.7 has a much wider operational window than our First 260 does, but we plan on bringing her up someday as well. Just be smart and you'll likely be fine.
Many years ago we left Fair Haven NY to sail to Oswego, about 12 miles east on Lake Ontario. The forecast was for winds from the west building to 20-25 knots. Not going to be a fun day, but it was downhill and only for a couple of hours. The Tanzer 22 was a tough boat and I was sure it would handle that amount of wind.
Well, the weather forecast was not all that accurate. The knot meter only registered up to 10kts and it wasn't long before it was pegged surfing off of 6-8 foot waves. The winds quickly went to 25, then 30, and kept going until they were in the 50 knot range. Seas were running in the 8-10 foot range with an occasional 14 footer thrown in for good measure. At one point we surfed down a wave and the knot meter impeller came out of the water! It went from pegged at 10 knots to suddenly only 4 knots, it was quite clear that we were going more than 4 knots.
The exciting part was the gybe to get into the harbor in 30+ knots and 8+ft seas. Once in the harbor, with the mainsail luffing on a beam reach we were doing 6 kts. Fortunately there was a large grain elevator to duck behind to lower the reefed mainsail.
It was reported in the local paper the next day that a NOAA weather observer had recorded 55+ mph winds at about the time we were 5 miles due north of him.
Once I fell into the rhythm of the boats motion and seas, it was surprisingly peaceful, so long as I didn't look back when we were in the wave trough. Crew consisted of one extremely seasick wife and a scared dog locked below in the cabin.
While I am in no hurry to do this again and haven't in the past 30 or so years it was a valuable experience to have under the belt.
Well, the weather forecast was not all that accurate. The knot meter only registered up to 10kts and it wasn't long before it was pegged surfing off of 6-8 foot waves. The winds quickly went to 25, then 30, and kept going until they were in the 50 knot range. Seas were running in the 8-10 foot range with an occasional 14 footer thrown in for good measure. At one point we surfed down a wave and the knot meter impeller came out of the water! It went from pegged at 10 knots to suddenly only 4 knots, it was quite clear that we were going more than 4 knots.
The exciting part was the gybe to get into the harbor in 30+ knots and 8+ft seas. Once in the harbor, with the mainsail luffing on a beam reach we were doing 6 kts. Fortunately there was a large grain elevator to duck behind to lower the reefed mainsail.
It was reported in the local paper the next day that a NOAA weather observer had recorded 55+ mph winds at about the time we were 5 miles due north of him.
Once I fell into the rhythm of the boats motion and seas, it was surprisingly peaceful, so long as I didn't look back when we were in the wave trough. Crew consisted of one extremely seasick wife and a scared dog locked below in the cabin.
While I am in no hurry to do this again and haven't in the past 30 or so years it was a valuable experience to have under the belt.
Perhaps age and years do mellow one's memories. My boat and I (and five other skippers as crew) were in the 1970's Strait of Georgia race out of West Vancouver (BC). At the night before dinner the official Canadian forecaster told us it would probably be a light air race and that many of us would not finish. He was correct on the last point--many did not finish as the winds picked up to (officially) 55 knots and waves so tall that they were taller then my spreaders on my Ranger 29. The waves were so tall that when you were in the trough of the wave it was comfortable and quiet but as you rose up to the top the wind took over, heeling the boat once again.
When you came up on top of the waves you would see all these red lights on your right and all those green lights on your left. But when you went down behind the wave and came up again, it would be red and green lights but on different boats.
Four of my crew were seasick including me. Two crew were running the boat. I had made spaghetti sauce for dinner but we were all too sick to eat and it went flying off the stove and around the main cabin, much of it landed in my buddy's brand new sleeping bag. He crawled in spaghetti sauce and all sick as he was.
We dropped out of the race around Active Pass (Gulf Islands) and ran with the wind back to RWV yacht club. It was a lot better going with the wind then fighting it.
We lost a man overboard pole but it would have been useless in those waves. And I had all the wrong foods for heavy winds--should have been bland sandwiches. We sailed with a double reefed main and a small jib (in those days hanked on).....
The boat did better then the crew the whole time. The cleaners said they cleaned my buddy's sleeping bag seven times but never got the stain from the Spaghetti sauce out.
It was a surprise low front that move in from the Bay of Alaska that caught us--no one got hurt but a lot of boats had some damage. I noted that the big boats that won the race, had proper foul weather gear, and plenty of sandwiches.
When you came up on top of the waves you would see all these red lights on your right and all those green lights on your left. But when you went down behind the wave and came up again, it would be red and green lights but on different boats.
Four of my crew were seasick including me. Two crew were running the boat. I had made spaghetti sauce for dinner but we were all too sick to eat and it went flying off the stove and around the main cabin, much of it landed in my buddy's brand new sleeping bag. He crawled in spaghetti sauce and all sick as he was.
We dropped out of the race around Active Pass (Gulf Islands) and ran with the wind back to RWV yacht club. It was a lot better going with the wind then fighting it.
We lost a man overboard pole but it would have been useless in those waves. And I had all the wrong foods for heavy winds--should have been bland sandwiches. We sailed with a double reefed main and a small jib (in those days hanked on).....
The boat did better then the crew the whole time. The cleaners said they cleaned my buddy's sleeping bag seven times but never got the stain from the Spaghetti sauce out.
It was a surprise low front that move in from the Bay of Alaska that caught us--no one got hurt but a lot of boats had some damage. I noted that the big boats that won the race, had proper foul weather gear, and plenty of sandwiches.
Get away from shore and gain sea room. Do not run with a storm, you will only be in it longer. Reef deep and make sure all lines are firmly secured. Make sure all hatches and portholes are closed and that the companionway boards are handy. We were heading for the Dry Tortugas one time and had been sailing around numerous thunderstorms all days when we faced this black wall of clouds just as we had the Islands in sight. There was no way of getting around them. All of a sudden the VHF radio erupted in frantic calls as the boats already in the anchorage started receiving the effects of the storm. We did not want to get any closer to the shallow waters around the Islands so we dropped the sails and cranked up the auxiliary. The storms hit us with winds up to 45 knots and pretty soon were dealing with waves of 6-8ft. We just strived to stay in place as not to give gained ground but most importantly not to get closer to land. We were in those conditions for approximately one hour before the storm blew over us. Once we got to the anchorage we turned around and anchored out as there were boats aground on shore and all kinds of lines in the water. There were like maybe 10 in the small basin and two were aground and being pulled by winches from helping boats. It was not until nightfall that we felt confident enough to move into the basin. Another time in the Bahamas a similar storm ripped the sunlight cover off of our headsail but this one only lasted like 15 minutes. In another trip returning from Key West and within sight of the Sunshine Skyway bridge in Tampa Bay we had to heave-to to allow a powerful storm to go over. We are always conscious of the weather and always plan around it but undoubtedly some times we get caught. I consider heavy weather sailing a discipline where if you do not use the skills you loose them so once a year we will go out there in rough conditions just to hone our skills and test our sea legs. After a couple of hours well head back and hope we do not have to do it again until the following year.
we have recently experienced long 60kt gusts in sustainded 46kt winds... we were motoring.
it was scary to have the boat heel over 15degrees without any sail up...not knowing how far it was going to heel over and what to do about it.
when we are in our smaller boat, when it heels too much while sailing, we let out or reduce sail. but in this boat at this time, we had nothing to reduce.
the "sea" conditions here were 5-8ft and short, as we were on the river in mid-channel with 4kts of downriver surface current.... wind in our face and we were motoring downriver at a fast pace with the current
we were in the columbia river gorge and it was cold, sunny and bright
...
we scooped "green" water over the bow 3 times very hard and several time with lesser amounts.. I was surprised the dodger held up to the first two walls of water.
we learned quickly that its extremely important to keep the hatch slid closed if there is any chance of water coming over the bow... the first large scoop of greenwater left us with an estimated 5-8 gallons of water rolling around in the cabin, til it drained thru the carpet into the bilge....
the funny parts was, Rochelle was down at the bottom of the steps handing me up my rain jacket at the moment it happened.... she wasnt in rain gear and it was funny only because it was her and not me....
we could have avoided the waves by getting out of the major current, but i wanted the experience, as I believe there is no better way to learn how to handle these situations than by experiencing them... and sometimes that means hunting then out so we can learn in a semi controlled environment before we have to face it in an uncontrolled environment....
it was a very wet and wild experience and im not sure how I would have handled it if we were in open water and we had sail on.... but in the confines of that particular part of the river in those conditions, there is no room for sailing....
i went up on the bow just because i wanted to see for myself.... UNBELIEVABLE.
a person cannot imagine how one could work any gear at the mast or on the foredeck in conditions such as this... or worse.
two days earlier on our up river trip around 3pm, the weather conditions were very rainy/stormy, otherwise much the same as or downriver passage, with the wind in our face (the wind shift is always 180degrees. it either blows upriver or downriver. usually upriver in clear weather and downriver in stormy weather) and the only difference was, we were going slower against the current.... but it wasnt much better... the boat was going slower against the waves but we dipped small amounts of greenwater a couple of times over the bow, but it was mostly just spray... a lot of rocking, bucking, and rolling...
as before the "water down the hatch" experience, I am still actively looking for a seahood that i can modify to fit this boat... i plan to attach the dodger to it so water cannot get under it and dump into the opening in such a volume as it did... unless Rochelle is there to catch it
it was scary to have the boat heel over 15degrees without any sail up...not knowing how far it was going to heel over and what to do about it.
when we are in our smaller boat, when it heels too much while sailing, we let out or reduce sail. but in this boat at this time, we had nothing to reduce.
the "sea" conditions here were 5-8ft and short, as we were on the river in mid-channel with 4kts of downriver surface current.... wind in our face and we were motoring downriver at a fast pace with the current
we were in the columbia river gorge and it was cold, sunny and bright
...we scooped "green" water over the bow 3 times very hard and several time with lesser amounts.. I was surprised the dodger held up to the first two walls of water.
we learned quickly that its extremely important to keep the hatch slid closed if there is any chance of water coming over the bow... the first large scoop of greenwater left us with an estimated 5-8 gallons of water rolling around in the cabin, til it drained thru the carpet into the bilge....
the funny parts was, Rochelle was down at the bottom of the steps handing me up my rain jacket at the moment it happened.... she wasnt in rain gear and it was funny only because it was her and not me
.... we could have avoided the waves by getting out of the major current, but i wanted the experience, as I believe there is no better way to learn how to handle these situations than by experiencing them... and sometimes that means hunting then out so we can learn in a semi controlled environment before we have to face it in an uncontrolled environment....
it was a very wet and wild experience and im not sure how I would have handled it if we were in open water and we had sail on.... but in the confines of that particular part of the river in those conditions, there is no room for sailing....
i went up on the bow just because i wanted to see for myself.... UNBELIEVABLE.
a person cannot imagine how one could work any gear at the mast or on the foredeck in conditions such as this... or worse.
two days earlier on our up river trip around 3pm, the weather conditions were very rainy/stormy, otherwise much the same as or downriver passage, with the wind in our face (the wind shift is always 180degrees. it either blows upriver or downriver. usually upriver in clear weather and downriver in stormy weather) and the only difference was, we were going slower against the current.... but it wasnt much better... the boat was going slower against the waves but we dipped small amounts of greenwater a couple of times over the bow, but it was mostly just spray... a lot of rocking, bucking, and rolling...
as before the "water down the hatch" experience, I am still actively looking for a seahood that i can modify to fit this boat... i plan to attach the dodger to it so water cannot get under it and dump into the opening in such a volume as it did... unless Rochelle is there to catch it
Some of my favorites.....motoring out of Mission Bay heading south to San Diego Bay, wind on our nose so we motored around Pt Loma.
The last photo was one of our trips returning from San Diego Bay back to Mission Bay.
Don
The last photo was one of our trips returning from San Diego Bay back to Mission Bay.
Don
Last edited:
We sailed back just before Sandy hit. Waves were in the 7-8 foot range with the enevitable 10 footer. Winds were around 20 knots sustained. We did ok. Running with the waves to get into the river, our dinghy would surf down the wave, almost passing us. Then we'd out race it and nearly snap the painter. Then another would come. It was surfing.
I made a passage across there in 2011, from the marina up on the north shore ( forget the name-Point Lookout??) NASTY section of water and I only was in 15- 18 knots.
I guess my worst (in this boat) was crossing the GOM single hand. Forecast was SW at 12-15.
NOT!!!
I had my dinghy tied close to the stern and at times saw the entire inside, and then couldn't see it at all. Made over 5 knots for almost 10 hours under just a reefed jib. Seriously considered cutting the dinghy painter once or twice. Then the wind Just Plain Quit!! And I motored 35 miles into Apalachicola in a flat calm
Hey I live on Superior (michigan side) so let me know when your coming up maybe we can sail around some. If anything I can tell you some cheap marina's to stay in .
One of the reasons I do not like running with storms besides the fact that you will be longer inside them is the speed that the boat can generate if there are no means of slowing it down. Excessive speed can quickly lead to loss of control.
On Halloween, seems 3 or 4 years ago we left Washington, D.C. (To avoid November slip payment). It was raining and sleeting with winds steady at 20 (this was the clearing we were looking for) and that held out for a half an hour or so. We were just below the national harbor when it kicked back up to snow and 25+ winds. No reef and standard jib. Gusts to about 40 (estimate) and it was work. Of course we were the only idiots on the water at the time.
At one point we tried to roll the boom to reef but it has several things on the boom that started to cut into the main so we went back to full sail. She rounded up a few times and I was really reconsidering why we attempted this. Eventually we found a cove and pulled in and anchored. There were several sailboats that had been there a for a day, they knew better than to be out. We put out 2 anchors and hoisted a light for anchor.
We woke up to still (0 wind) and 25 degrees with frost on the deck. Pulled anchor and motored and eventually motorsailed until we realized we had limited fuel. Seems we found fuel about quantico and they didn't want to sell us fuel as we were not active or retired military although we were both vets they finally let us have some.
The next night it snowed and we woke to about 2" on the boat. If it wasn't for the cowboy coffee and Uncrustibles the whole trip would have sucked. We did all this with 2-4" of water in the cabin. That boat has since been crushed at the local landfill. Good riddance.
At one point we tried to roll the boom to reef but it has several things on the boom that started to cut into the main so we went back to full sail. She rounded up a few times and I was really reconsidering why we attempted this. Eventually we found a cove and pulled in and anchored. There were several sailboats that had been there a for a day, they knew better than to be out. We put out 2 anchors and hoisted a light for anchor.
We woke up to still (0 wind) and 25 degrees with frost on the deck. Pulled anchor and motored and eventually motorsailed until we realized we had limited fuel. Seems we found fuel about quantico and they didn't want to sell us fuel as we were not active or retired military although we were both vets they finally let us have some.
The next night it snowed and we woke to about 2" on the boat. If it wasn't for the cowboy coffee and Uncrustibles the whole trip would have sucked. We did all this with 2-4" of water in the cabin. That boat has since been crushed at the local landfill. Good riddance.
Bill;
Many posts give you experiences and good advice for example, Bad Obsession and Benny, but a lot really depends on how your family and you feel safe and you def. know your boat, Hunter 26 (not 260). I would tend to think you are at the limit on the winds and wave conditions for a comfortable ride in the 26 based on experience in that same boat since the day I introduced it as a dealer who purchased nearly 25% of the production line. Not bragging but wanted to let you know I am experienced with that boat.
Many posts give you experiences and good advice for example, Bad Obsession and Benny, but a lot really depends on how your family and you feel safe and you def. know your boat, Hunter 26 (not 260). I would tend to think you are at the limit on the winds and wave conditions for a comfortable ride in the 26 based on experience in that same boat since the day I introduced it as a dealer who purchased nearly 25% of the production line. Not bragging but wanted to let you know I am experienced with that boat.
One other trick, and I need to practice this as well, is to learn and practice heaving to. This is getting to be one of the predominant survival tactics. If it is that bad, heave to until it passes, if you have the room.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SAXRH42Df0
Check out this video. It has a good explanation on heaving to.
Check out this video. It has a good explanation on heaving to.
I would like to share a 'trick' that Ive used many times when 'overwhelmed' by wind and waves when going 'downwind' in lightweight centerboard boats: pull the centerboard up so that there is just enough 'bite' to keep the boat directionally stable even though the boat will now tend to 'skid' sideways. This will help prevent the boat from 'tripping over its centerboard' and broaching ... the boat will tend to skid rather than 'go over'; the remaining job for the helmsman is to simply keep the boat directly 'under' the mast. In this mode, when the boat is still overwhelmed, instead of 'heading up' to spill wind, you do the opposite - you head 'down wind' (and hold onto your hat as the boat accelerates, and planes at extremely high speeds).
How far 'up' should the centerboard be for this? ..... about the same height 'up' as when youre beam reaching.
With the centerboard pulled up to this 'beam reaching mode', if the boat does 'slew around' and go across the direction of the following wind, the boat wont (as much) 'trip over' its fully down centerboard ... which usually results in a 'dunking' and a turtled boat. 'Tripping over' a centerboard is when the centerboard is at ~90° to the direction of the boat is 'moving'. You must then control the amount of sideways skid and keep the boats stern aligned to the wind on the stern quarter with the rudder (while attempting to keep the mast directly 'over' the boat).
------------------------------
Part 2
When going downwind in such conditions, one shouldnt go dead downwind as if you 'stuff' the bow into the backside of a steep wave, you risk completely burying the bow, followed by a 'pitchpole' .... where the stern will now be the leading object. Use an angle towards the peaks and valleys of the waves so that the bow can rise and not totally bury itself in the backside face of the wave .... adjust your course across the 'faces' at an angle to the waves so the bow has 'time' to rise.
... at an angle up the backside face of the wave, straight across and perpendicular to the 'peak' and then at an angle down the opposite face side of the BIG wave.
Part 2 also applies to keel boats.
hope this helps.
How far 'up' should the centerboard be for this? ..... about the same height 'up' as when youre beam reaching.
With the centerboard pulled up to this 'beam reaching mode', if the boat does 'slew around' and go across the direction of the following wind, the boat wont (as much) 'trip over' its fully down centerboard ... which usually results in a 'dunking' and a turtled boat. 'Tripping over' a centerboard is when the centerboard is at ~90° to the direction of the boat is 'moving'. You must then control the amount of sideways skid and keep the boats stern aligned to the wind on the stern quarter with the rudder (while attempting to keep the mast directly 'over' the boat).
------------------------------
Part 2
When going downwind in such conditions, one shouldnt go dead downwind as if you 'stuff' the bow into the backside of a steep wave, you risk completely burying the bow, followed by a 'pitchpole' .... where the stern will now be the leading object. Use an angle towards the peaks and valleys of the waves so that the bow can rise and not totally bury itself in the backside face of the wave .... adjust your course across the 'faces' at an angle to the waves so the bow has 'time' to rise.
... at an angle up the backside face of the wave, straight across and perpendicular to the 'peak' and then at an angle down the opposite face side of the BIG wave.
Part 2 also applies to keel boats.
hope this helps.
Last edited:
Like jackdaw mentions I think the biggest weather worry will be thunderstorms. Other than that the usual summer weather on Superior should not confront you with dangerous conditions. I have had several heavy weather experiences on Superior but nothing where I felt I was in trouble or danger...just rough sailing. I made the choice to go out. I was younger then...I might take it a little easier these days.
First one was sailing in the Apostles in 4-6 waves and 25 knots. When we arrived at Rocky Island we tied up to the dock next to a 40 footer that had stayed put that day. The crew helped us tie up and exclaimed, "you guys where out there in that"!
Sailed from Thunder Bay to McCargo Cove on Isle Royale and once we cleared Thunder Cape we had in 6 foot waves and 20+ knots.
Sailed from the Slate Islands to Rossport in 4-6 foot waves in 25 knots.
Trapped in Tobin Harbor on Isle Royale by 30 knots out of the northeast for three days. It's a long narrow harbor open to the northeast and we were tucked in behind an island for protection as whitecaps swept down the harbor. Got a bit of hiking in. The wind eventually went down to 15 and shifted east so the whitecaps quickly died and we made our escape. With 10 footers still rolling out on the open water we ran with them all the way down the shore to Siskiwit Bay. We actually surfed a bit and is was a fun ride with the 15 knot east wind coming across the stern quarter.
Got knocked down in the Slate Islands near the entrance to Lampton Cove by a downdraft off a nearby cliff in clear weather. Sailing the Canadian North Shore be cautious about sailing near high cliffs in windy conditions and certainly don't do it during thunderstorm activity. We have friends who were knocked down at anchor in Tee Harbor when they were caught broadside by a downdraft coming off the Sleeping Giant.
The reverse of all that is last summer we spent two weeks in the Rossport area and never saw waves larger than 1.5 feet.
Ran from John Island to South Benjamin Lake Huron in 4-5 foot waves and 20+ knots from behind in 2013.
Square 4 foot waves in the Detour Passage between Huron and Michigan was the toughest stuff I have ever been in anywhere. Size is not everything. Later in that trip we spent a day running down lake Michigan to Chicago in 4-6 foot waves and 25 knots. This on a larger boat...not mine.
You might have to get used to fog now and again and the cold water but I think you should be fine. If you have been sailing on Mille Lacs you are probably familiar with the steep short period waves you can get on the Lakes. A 6 foot wave on the Lakes is a different animal than a 6 foot wave on the Ocean.
In the Apostles and elsewhere on the Lake in windy conditions be aware of sailing near deep rocky shorelines where the waves are hitting. They tend to reflect back and mix with the incoming waves and make especially lumpy conditions in the immediate area. My experience has been it's rare to get more than 25-30 knots of sustained wind in the summer months. Thunderstroms excepted but they are short lived.
The Apostles are a great place to get your first taste of the Lake but the Canadian Shore from Thunder Bay to the Slates Islands is Superior.
First one was sailing in the Apostles in 4-6 waves and 25 knots. When we arrived at Rocky Island we tied up to the dock next to a 40 footer that had stayed put that day. The crew helped us tie up and exclaimed, "you guys where out there in that"!
Sailed from Thunder Bay to McCargo Cove on Isle Royale and once we cleared Thunder Cape we had in 6 foot waves and 20+ knots.
Sailed from the Slate Islands to Rossport in 4-6 foot waves in 25 knots.
Trapped in Tobin Harbor on Isle Royale by 30 knots out of the northeast for three days. It's a long narrow harbor open to the northeast and we were tucked in behind an island for protection as whitecaps swept down the harbor. Got a bit of hiking in. The wind eventually went down to 15 and shifted east so the whitecaps quickly died and we made our escape. With 10 footers still rolling out on the open water we ran with them all the way down the shore to Siskiwit Bay. We actually surfed a bit and is was a fun ride with the 15 knot east wind coming across the stern quarter.
Got knocked down in the Slate Islands near the entrance to Lampton Cove by a downdraft off a nearby cliff in clear weather. Sailing the Canadian North Shore be cautious about sailing near high cliffs in windy conditions and certainly don't do it during thunderstorm activity. We have friends who were knocked down at anchor in Tee Harbor when they were caught broadside by a downdraft coming off the Sleeping Giant.
The reverse of all that is last summer we spent two weeks in the Rossport area and never saw waves larger than 1.5 feet.
Ran from John Island to South Benjamin Lake Huron in 4-5 foot waves and 20+ knots from behind in 2013.
Square 4 foot waves in the Detour Passage between Huron and Michigan was the toughest stuff I have ever been in anywhere. Size is not everything. Later in that trip we spent a day running down lake Michigan to Chicago in 4-6 foot waves and 25 knots. This on a larger boat...not mine.
You might have to get used to fog now and again and the cold water but I think you should be fine. If you have been sailing on Mille Lacs you are probably familiar with the steep short period waves you can get on the Lakes. A 6 foot wave on the Lakes is a different animal than a 6 foot wave on the Ocean.
In the Apostles and elsewhere on the Lake in windy conditions be aware of sailing near deep rocky shorelines where the waves are hitting. They tend to reflect back and mix with the incoming waves and make especially lumpy conditions in the immediate area. My experience has been it's rare to get more than 25-30 knots of sustained wind in the summer months. Thunderstroms excepted but they are short lived.
The Apostles are a great place to get your first taste of the Lake but the Canadian Shore from Thunder Bay to the Slates Islands is Superior.
Last edited:
On July 24, 2011 a storm developed over Lake Carlyle in central Illinois just as people were going out for the club races (one-design). This is the story of a few cat sailors who were in it
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three catamarans were caught in the storm on July 24th; Latham (A class cat), Kitsy (Hobie 18) with crew Carol Galbraith and Mike Hill (Nacra 20) and crew Liz Toftenmark. I asked them to write a couple of paragraphs telling what happened when the storm hit. I will attempt to blend these together into story. Dave
” There I was, minding my own business, when the wind gods decided to have some
fun.”
Latham Souther
BEFORE THE BADNESS STARTED
Mike Hill . . .
I found Liz Toftemark, one of the mice parents, to crew for me on Sunday. She
had never really done much sailing. I was just hoping for enough breeze to get
the races in
Kisty Amrhein. . .
. . . 8–10 mph winds. We commented on how this was our favorite air and that
we should be able to do well in the race.
SITUATION AWARENESS
Mike . . .
We were just doing some practice pretty close to the club when we gybed and
noticed the sky’s darkening to the northwest. I turned and started heading back
toward the club.
Latham . . .
There, coming my way, were very large and dark clouds. I thought, “I should
probably head back.”
Carol . . .
The sky became dark very fast. Kitsy remarked how nice the sails looked against
the dark sky background.
CHAOS ARRIVES
Carol . . .
Just as we got to the harbor it hit. Probably 30–40 mph gusts. The gust just ripped
the jib clew out and we had an instant reminder of wind velocity with a flailing
jib. Kitsy said that we had to get the main down. I don’t know how she did it, but
the main came down.
Kisty . . .
We sailed by Lathem on his A-cat and he shouted “I’m not liking this!”, I noticed
the huge waves and whitecaps coming out of Peppenhorst. The waves were 6 to
8 feet. I had seen Lathem make the harbor but then I saw his boat capsized and
blowing away without him. I don’t know if it was a wave or the wind, or most
likely a combination of both, but we were capsizing. CAPSIZING UNDER BARE
POLE! Seconds later, the boat went turtle with me under it. I climbed the lacing
hand over hand till I reached the back of the boat. My head popped out of the
water and I took a big breath of air.
Mike . . .
I actually got into the harbor when the big blasts hit us. It was easy 50 knots or
better. Did everything right but the boat still flipped. The wind caught the boat
while it was on it’s side and cartwheeled it over tossing
me and Liz in the water. I made it back to the boat, but
Liz decided to swim to another boat which was closer.
I managed to right it and get back on, but it was still
blowing 40. I got a little lull and decided to try to tack
it anyway rather than wash up on the rocks. I finally got
some speed and made it through the tack by backing it.
Unfortunately that was a mistake; as soon as it backed
just a little bit the wind caught the sails and flipped me
back over.
Latham . . .
I made it into the harbor. Then the wind picked back
up even worse and I found myself heading for the rocks
on the breaker wall—sideways. As I approached the
rocks, I moved to fend the boat off of them. Well, that
put me on the leeward side of the boat and that’s not
a good thing in that much wind. In a few seconds I felt
the boat start to come up and that’s when I was tossed
onto the rocks. My thought was, “I sure hope the boat
doesn’t land on me!” I didn’t get to see much of what
happened next because I was in ducking mode, but
everyone who were watching said it was quite spectacular!
The boat did a cartwheel completely over
me and the rock wall, landing on its starboard
side in the water heading across the entrance to Peppenhorst
at a pretty good clip.
HOMEWARD BOUND
Mike . . .
I [the boat] stayed on my side and eventually ended up
washing up on the rocks to the left of the Dam. I waited
for probably about 2 hours or so and finally another
CSA boat with Joe Leonard, Bryan, and Glenn Grummen
showed up. Bryan jumped in to hold the boat off
the rocks while I tied a line to the top of the mast to
haul us out. The boat towed us off the rocks but it had
been over for so long the mast had filled with water so
there was no hope in righting it. We had to then reattach
the line to the dolphin striker and Joe towed me all
the way over to the cat field on my side.
Carol . . .
Somewhere in all this, the Conservation boat came to
us, as it soared over the waves with spray in the air, it
reminded me of the boats on the ‘deadliest catch’. I
have a strong aversion to leaving a floating boat since I
don’t swim well. Surely I could catch the life preserver
ring they would throw out. Nope, I stalled. Kisty said
she would go first and showed me how it was done.
When they threw it to me, I lunged off the boat and
when I came out of the wave, the ring was there and I
was reeled in like a fish. I hated to leave the boat, but
there was no other option.
Kitsy . . .
The red and blue flashing lights of the lake patrol boat
showed up. They said we needed to abandon ship.
Carol said she wasn’t a good enough swimmer to swim
to them. I told Carol that the key to swimming to the
patrol boat was not to panic. Trust your life jacket and
let it do its job. She made some comment about at least
not drowning alone. We decided I would go first and
show her how to do it. Carol followed and was soon
aboard the patrol boat as well. We headed towards CSA
harbor. As we were heading in, I saw a pair of cat-tracks
floating away on their way towards the dam.
AFTERMATH
Kitsy . . .
Damage to my boat was a shredded jib, broken comp
tip, broken side stay. Lost paddle, batten, compass,
sunglasses and an earring.
Mike . . .
I’m still not sure of all the damage. My mainsail needs
a lot of repair. A powerboater found one of my daggers
and returned it. If anybody finds the other I’d really
appreciate it if you would let me know. Lot’s of broken
battens. But overall everything wasn’t that bad considering.
I know others faired much worse.
Latham . . .
The boat was minus one rudder and attachments, a
broken dagerboard, ripped out batten pockets, broken
and missing battens, a small crack in the port hull from
the rocks, and a big hole in the starboard hull, thanks
to the stump it was blown up against.
IN CLOSING
Latham . . .
A big thanks goes out to Jim Disano, Joe Bartman, and
Tom Paoli for helping retrieve my boat.
Mike . . .
My thanks to all those who helped me that day.
Carol . . .
Thank you to everyone who helped rescue us and rescue
the boat.
Kisty . . .
I’m sure the board will meet to discuss what happened
and how we should prepare for such an incident in
the future. I heard that 2 people were not wearing life
jackets when the storm hit. They were damn lucky. We
were lucky no tragedy occurred. One change I would
support is that lifejackets are required by all persons
taking part in CSA racing. Don’t stow it. WEAR IT or
you might find yourself the subject of a Readers Digest
”Drama in Real Life” article.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three catamarans were caught in the storm on July 24th; Latham (A class cat), Kitsy (Hobie 18) with crew Carol Galbraith and Mike Hill (Nacra 20) and crew Liz Toftenmark. I asked them to write a couple of paragraphs telling what happened when the storm hit. I will attempt to blend these together into story. Dave
” There I was, minding my own business, when the wind gods decided to have some
fun.”
Latham Souther
BEFORE THE BADNESS STARTED
Mike Hill . . .
I found Liz Toftemark, one of the mice parents, to crew for me on Sunday. She
had never really done much sailing. I was just hoping for enough breeze to get
the races in
Kisty Amrhein. . .
. . . 8–10 mph winds. We commented on how this was our favorite air and that
we should be able to do well in the race.
SITUATION AWARENESS
Mike . . .
We were just doing some practice pretty close to the club when we gybed and
noticed the sky’s darkening to the northwest. I turned and started heading back
toward the club.
Latham . . .
There, coming my way, were very large and dark clouds. I thought, “I should
probably head back.”
Carol . . .
The sky became dark very fast. Kitsy remarked how nice the sails looked against
the dark sky background.
CHAOS ARRIVES
Carol . . .
Just as we got to the harbor it hit. Probably 30–40 mph gusts. The gust just ripped
the jib clew out and we had an instant reminder of wind velocity with a flailing
jib. Kitsy said that we had to get the main down. I don’t know how she did it, but
the main came down.
Kisty . . .
We sailed by Lathem on his A-cat and he shouted “I’m not liking this!”, I noticed
the huge waves and whitecaps coming out of Peppenhorst. The waves were 6 to
8 feet. I had seen Lathem make the harbor but then I saw his boat capsized and
blowing away without him. I don’t know if it was a wave or the wind, or most
likely a combination of both, but we were capsizing. CAPSIZING UNDER BARE
POLE! Seconds later, the boat went turtle with me under it. I climbed the lacing
hand over hand till I reached the back of the boat. My head popped out of the
water and I took a big breath of air.
Mike . . .
I actually got into the harbor when the big blasts hit us. It was easy 50 knots or
better. Did everything right but the boat still flipped. The wind caught the boat
while it was on it’s side and cartwheeled it over tossing
me and Liz in the water. I made it back to the boat, but
Liz decided to swim to another boat which was closer.
I managed to right it and get back on, but it was still
blowing 40. I got a little lull and decided to try to tack
it anyway rather than wash up on the rocks. I finally got
some speed and made it through the tack by backing it.
Unfortunately that was a mistake; as soon as it backed
just a little bit the wind caught the sails and flipped me
back over.
Latham . . .
I made it into the harbor. Then the wind picked back
up even worse and I found myself heading for the rocks
on the breaker wall—sideways. As I approached the
rocks, I moved to fend the boat off of them. Well, that
put me on the leeward side of the boat and that’s not
a good thing in that much wind. In a few seconds I felt
the boat start to come up and that’s when I was tossed
onto the rocks. My thought was, “I sure hope the boat
doesn’t land on me!” I didn’t get to see much of what
happened next because I was in ducking mode, but
everyone who were watching said it was quite spectacular!
The boat did a cartwheel completely over
me and the rock wall, landing on its starboard
side in the water heading across the entrance to Peppenhorst
at a pretty good clip.
HOMEWARD BOUND
Mike . . .
I [the boat] stayed on my side and eventually ended up
washing up on the rocks to the left of the Dam. I waited
for probably about 2 hours or so and finally another
CSA boat with Joe Leonard, Bryan, and Glenn Grummen
showed up. Bryan jumped in to hold the boat off
the rocks while I tied a line to the top of the mast to
haul us out. The boat towed us off the rocks but it had
been over for so long the mast had filled with water so
there was no hope in righting it. We had to then reattach
the line to the dolphin striker and Joe towed me all
the way over to the cat field on my side.
Carol . . .
Somewhere in all this, the Conservation boat came to
us, as it soared over the waves with spray in the air, it
reminded me of the boats on the ‘deadliest catch’. I
have a strong aversion to leaving a floating boat since I
don’t swim well. Surely I could catch the life preserver
ring they would throw out. Nope, I stalled. Kisty said
she would go first and showed me how it was done.
When they threw it to me, I lunged off the boat and
when I came out of the wave, the ring was there and I
was reeled in like a fish. I hated to leave the boat, but
there was no other option.
Kitsy . . .
The red and blue flashing lights of the lake patrol boat
showed up. They said we needed to abandon ship.
Carol said she wasn’t a good enough swimmer to swim
to them. I told Carol that the key to swimming to the
patrol boat was not to panic. Trust your life jacket and
let it do its job. She made some comment about at least
not drowning alone. We decided I would go first and
show her how to do it. Carol followed and was soon
aboard the patrol boat as well. We headed towards CSA
harbor. As we were heading in, I saw a pair of cat-tracks
floating away on their way towards the dam.
AFTERMATH
Kitsy . . .
Damage to my boat was a shredded jib, broken comp
tip, broken side stay. Lost paddle, batten, compass,
sunglasses and an earring.
Mike . . .
I’m still not sure of all the damage. My mainsail needs
a lot of repair. A powerboater found one of my daggers
and returned it. If anybody finds the other I’d really
appreciate it if you would let me know. Lot’s of broken
battens. But overall everything wasn’t that bad considering.
I know others faired much worse.
Latham . . .
The boat was minus one rudder and attachments, a
broken dagerboard, ripped out batten pockets, broken
and missing battens, a small crack in the port hull from
the rocks, and a big hole in the starboard hull, thanks
to the stump it was blown up against.
IN CLOSING
Latham . . .
A big thanks goes out to Jim Disano, Joe Bartman, and
Tom Paoli for helping retrieve my boat.
Mike . . .
My thanks to all those who helped me that day.
Carol . . .
Thank you to everyone who helped rescue us and rescue
the boat.
Kisty . . .
I’m sure the board will meet to discuss what happened
and how we should prepare for such an incident in
the future. I heard that 2 people were not wearing life
jackets when the storm hit. They were damn lucky. We
were lucky no tragedy occurred. One change I would
support is that lifejackets are required by all persons
taking part in CSA racing. Don’t stow it. WEAR IT or
you might find yourself the subject of a Readers Digest
”Drama in Real Life” article.