I'm not ashamed, I broke a cardinal rule of sailing and I paid a price! Last weekend we planned to put in at the lake on Saturday evening, spend the night on board, and sail all day Sunday. I checked the weather Friday night, worked all day Saturday and rushed like a madman after work to load up, pack, haul her over, set up and rig. We finally got her wet at about 7:45 pm. Motored out to find a cove to drop anchor and let the kids swim. Guess what! The weather forcast changes on a daily basis, who'd a thunk! We ALMOST got to a spot to anchor, and off in the distance I saw flashes. Turned on the UHF, tuned in to the NOAH weather and found we were about 2 hours from getting barbecued. So, back to the ramp to pull out in the dark behind about 12 stink potters. By the time we got back on the hard, the sky was black, the wind was up and the rain had started. We had to leave the boat, mast up, in the parking lot, kids screaming, wife grumbling. Lesson: ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, check weather immediately before heading out and turn your darn radio on! Q: Glass half empty or half full? A: We still got to do about 9 hours of sailing and exploring on Sunday, and we did NOT get fried, so... my cup runneth over! Now, like I said, I'm not ashamed, so any of you folks want to blast me, go right ahead! But please, if your newish to this wonderful life, learn from my mistake!
Newbies, learn from my mistake!
- Thread starter Dave D 94 H26
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Learning
Yes, constant weather info from the radio and your own good old eyeballs should be on your mind at all times, cap. Am not a man of much faith, but I know bloody well what I can't control, and I know when to run. You did fine, although it sounds like a PIA. Best wishes and keep 'em safe. Jim.
Yes, constant weather info from the radio and your own good old eyeballs should be on your mind at all times, cap. Am not a man of much faith, but I know bloody well what I can't control, and I know when to run. You did fine, although it sounds like a PIA. Best wishes and keep 'em safe. Jim.
Take it easy workin guy
There isn't a sailor alive that still doesn't get caught by changes in weather. The issue is are you prepared and cool headed when unexpected things happen, and they will. Sounds like you made the best call in an unexpected situation so that your family was in the safest place. Thats comendable. A capt Ahab type guy would have rode it out and probably scared the whole crew. A very wise old sailor told me he always likes newer sailors/crew/wives to have 12 good days before their first bad day. After this they'll go again and you'll be watchin' the sky a little better too. Keep swingin' away and keep it fun. Aloha Michael and Kelli
There isn't a sailor alive that still doesn't get caught by changes in weather. The issue is are you prepared and cool headed when unexpected things happen, and they will. Sounds like you made the best call in an unexpected situation so that your family was in the safest place. Thats comendable. A capt Ahab type guy would have rode it out and probably scared the whole crew. A very wise old sailor told me he always likes newer sailors/crew/wives to have 12 good days before their first bad day. After this they'll go again and you'll be watchin' the sky a little better too. Keep swingin' away and keep it fun. Aloha Michael and Kelli
Newbie or Old Salt
if you continue sailing long enough you will eventually go through a hair raising storm on the water. Weather forecasting is not an exact science, sounds like you did the right thing in getting off, I've spent a couple of nights in parking lots for the same reason. Got caught anchored out in an unforecast storm which kept us up most of the night checking anchor and dodging lightning bolts. The next day dawned calm and beautiful and we had a wonderful weekend. By noon even "the Admiral" had forgotten the previous night. Avoid 'em when you can, when you do get caught take the necessary precautions and remember, the boat can usually take more than the skipper can. Fair Winds Dave "h23 "Wind Dreamer"
if you continue sailing long enough you will eventually go through a hair raising storm on the water. Weather forecasting is not an exact science, sounds like you did the right thing in getting off, I've spent a couple of nights in parking lots for the same reason. Got caught anchored out in an unforecast storm which kept us up most of the night checking anchor and dodging lightning bolts. The next day dawned calm and beautiful and we had a wonderful weekend. By noon even "the Admiral" had forgotten the previous night. Avoid 'em when you can, when you do get caught take the necessary precautions and remember, the boat can usually take more than the skipper can. Fair Winds Dave "h23 "Wind Dreamer"
let's take it a step further
What are the hazards of staying out if you get caught and can't get on the hard? I understand I should remove/secure all my rigging and cloth, check the anchor set and drop another if possible, but on a smallish lake, what should I expect? At some point it would make more sense to stay out and aboard rather than try my luck as the amazing human lightening rod at the boat ramp! what happens when you get a strike to the mast?
What are the hazards of staying out if you get caught and can't get on the hard? I understand I should remove/secure all my rigging and cloth, check the anchor set and drop another if possible, but on a smallish lake, what should I expect? At some point it would make more sense to stay out and aboard rather than try my luck as the amazing human lightening rod at the boat ramp! what happens when you get a strike to the mast?
It rarely happens but......
.....if it's a small lake and a real barn burner of a storm then get to the ramp if possible, tie it up and sit it out in the car. Do a search in the archives for a fairly recent discussion on lightening strikes. It was interesting. Old cruisers will say if you can't make shore then secure everything topside, set the anchors well, tie off the rudder, get below and stay away from the hardware. Never try to break down the boat at the ramp in a storm. Don't share all the worst scenarios with the new crew, you never know when you'll scare them off. Give them some sweet days to get their sea legs. like Dave said a stormy day will come which, afterward will assure them that everythings ok when the capt keeps a cool head. We're in Sarasota which has the highest lightening strike rate in the world(and a few hurricanes too, eh?)but we're well prepared sailin' fools too
have fun, stay safe Michael
.....if it's a small lake and a real barn burner of a storm then get to the ramp if possible, tie it up and sit it out in the car. Do a search in the archives for a fairly recent discussion on lightening strikes. It was interesting. Old cruisers will say if you can't make shore then secure everything topside, set the anchors well, tie off the rudder, get below and stay away from the hardware. Never try to break down the boat at the ramp in a storm. Don't share all the worst scenarios with the new crew, you never know when you'll scare them off. Give them some sweet days to get their sea legs. like Dave said a stormy day will come which, afterward will assure them that everythings ok when the capt keeps a cool head. We're in Sarasota which has the highest lightening strike rate in the world(and a few hurricanes too, eh?)but we're well prepared sailin' fools too
have fun, stay safe Michael
Perspective
The last two months of our sailing season are ussually spent on a high (8000') mountain lake where afternoon lightning storms are quite common. I can't recall hearing of a sailboat being struck, which certainly doesn't mean it won't happen, but you are probably more likely to be involved in auto accident on the way to the lake than you are to be struck by lightning or some other mishap while on your boat. As Michael said, be prepared, keep cool, act responsibly and your crew will enjoy and keep comming back. Dave
The last two months of our sailing season are ussually spent on a high (8000') mountain lake where afternoon lightning storms are quite common. I can't recall hearing of a sailboat being struck, which certainly doesn't mean it won't happen, but you are probably more likely to be involved in auto accident on the way to the lake than you are to be struck by lightning or some other mishap while on your boat. As Michael said, be prepared, keep cool, act responsibly and your crew will enjoy and keep comming back. Dave
like Dave said
I also sail alot in Colorado mountain lakes and have ridden out quite a few thunderboomers. One thing I learned from this is to have good anchors. I sail a Hunter 260 that came with a about a 12 lb danforth. After dragging it around one day in a good storm I bought a 22 lb. Delta with 30 feet of 5/16" chain and use a fortress off the stern to keep the swing down. Never had that one pull out...yet. Dave, Where do you usually sail?
I also sail alot in Colorado mountain lakes and have ridden out quite a few thunderboomers. One thing I learned from this is to have good anchors. I sail a Hunter 260 that came with a about a 12 lb danforth. After dragging it around one day in a good storm I bought a 22 lb. Delta with 30 feet of 5/16" chain and use a fortress off the stern to keep the swing down. Never had that one pull out...yet. Dave, Where do you usually sail?
We ussually
start the season at Mcphee, which is only about a half hour from our house, but no marina. When the weather starts to turn hot we get a slip at Vallecito and leave the boat there till the water level drops too low. We want to try Navajo a few more times this year as well, slips are hard to come by there so it would have to be dry storage. How's the sailing up there on Reudi?
start the season at Mcphee, which is only about a half hour from our house, but no marina. When the weather starts to turn hot we get a slip at Vallecito and leave the boat there till the water level drops too low. We want to try Navajo a few more times this year as well, slips are hard to come by there so it would have to be dry storage. How's the sailing up there on Reudi?
nothing to blast about
Your story is a good reminder about something most (all?) of us have done. Actually, you get a pat on the back for two survival traits: the good judgment to recognize a retreat is appropriate, and instead of wasting a good mistake you learned from it. As a bonus, you got a good sailing story - for those times you're stuck ashore. jim kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
Your story is a good reminder about something most (all?) of us have done. Actually, you get a pat on the back for two survival traits: the good judgment to recognize a retreat is appropriate, and instead of wasting a good mistake you learned from it. As a bonus, you got a good sailing story - for those times you're stuck ashore. jim kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
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