Caught in a Storm??

Post by **ady** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 9:42 am

In light of the tragic accident at White Lake I thought I might tell of my disturbing incident Saturday night. I was out on the Ottawa near Quyon at around 7pm when I saw a nasty cloud forming over Quebec. It looked like it might pass us by but I thought it would be a good idea to move closer to the ramp just in case. I had just managed to lift my trolling motor when the storm hit - it was scary stuff, I couldn't see 10ft in front of me. I started the main engine and engaged idle forward and tried to keep the boat into wind and kept my eye on the depth guage. We stayed there for about 10 minutes until it cleared enough to get off the water and empty the boat. I think I did right by pointing into wind and trying to stay put but was I right?? your thoughts and experience on this would be appreciated.

Post by **fishforfun** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 2:03 pm

ady I don,t know the size of your boat, but if you have an anchor you drop it from the bow and give yourself 7 to 1 scope, or more if neceesary. The anchor will point you up to wind and hold you in deep enough water, if you feel the anchor may slip start your engine, idle in neutral and put in forward if the anchor is slipping, just enough to keep the anchor line taut, you don't want to run it over and wrap it in the prop. Hope that helps.

Post by RJ » Tue Aug 03, 2004 3:29 pm

My opinion is if you see lightning...get the hell off the water...one came upon us this morning on Charleston lake....had we not left when we did we'd have been in big trouble...if it looks dicey...play it safe!

RJ

Post by **fishforfun** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 4:55 pm

Couldn't agree more RJ but when your caught, as a sailor this happens often to me, getting off the water would be nice, but at 6 mph I would never leave the dock. Storms can move in very quickly and even the power boats get caught, ady said he had just lifted the trolling motor when the storm hit him. If you get caught thats your best defense.

Post by **BASSSTALKER** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 5:03 pm

Stipid Question But why would you anchor in a storm. I personally get of the water before the storm hits. NO reason why not to, the fish will be there tommorow!

BASSSTALKER

Post by **fishforfun** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 5:50 pm

Sorry Bassstalker your question is not stupid. Maybe I need to clarify, storms especially on the great lakes can approach at a very high speed. The Coast Guard on numerous occasions have continued to broadcast light to moderate winds in the middle of 40 nm gales, producing 2 to 3 meter waves. Boats can get caught in such weather very easily when running offshore or even in an anchorage. Riding it out on the hook is your safest bet, if the water is too deep then use a sea anchor to keep your self facing the weather. A sea anchor can be as crude as a 5 gallon pail tied to the anchor line. Sailors never run (because they can't just bow up to it) my point was when your caught and visibity is severely reduced this is your best bet.

Post by **nippisingboy** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 7:07 pm

i agree whith fishform.stormes mouve in fast and hard.Your ancor is the beest way. If you are far frome shore and it slips dont panic there is a good chance it will grabe again.Even sliping it will keep you in the wright position.

Post by **Rider23** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 8:28 pm

I have been caught like this a few times over the years both here in Ontario freshwater and back in NFLD. where the water can become nasty in a hurry, always play it safe even if you have to pull on shore where ever you are

Here is link that has some good info
http://www.boats.com/content/default_de ... 02/7001/-1

PS: Sorry for the long link

Post by **wolfe** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 8:36 pm

Funny, I was just talking to someone about this. If caught in a threatening electrical storm while on the lake, I would rather take my chances with the shoreline... woods or no woods, over being "too tall" out in a metal boat on nature's perfect electrical conductor.

I will agree with the advice to just stay OFF the water if something appears to be brewing. Things can get intense so fast, though, so it's always good to have a plan.

W.

Post by **eye-tracker** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 7:59 am

Another one I use when I am caught on big water in a storm is a sea-anchor (drift sock) off the bow in deep water where my anchor wont reach bottom. This keep the bow into the wind (Use rope 5 to 10 lengths of your boat so it does not pull your bow under in the waves

). I have only every been caught twice on the water in a big storm...even running at 35mph I could not make it to shore before the storm was on top of me.

Post by **BASSSTALKER** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 10:10 am

FFF- Thanks for clearing that up what I was talking about is would'nt having the anchor on bottom and huge waves pull your bow under?

In light of recent events are there any other saftey info most boaters should be aware of?

BASSSTALKER

Post by **fishforfun** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 11:41 am

The best thing you can do is take a boating course, power squadron offers some good ones. The type of boating you do is a big factor, down rigging on the great lakes vs a 12' boat on small inland waters, there is a difference in what you need. I guess common sense is the biggest thing. EG. last year while trolling at night during the Owen Sound derby I passed a guy trolling from a paddle boat! Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, if you know what I mean. He had no lights and was sitting in a bay where boats are returning to docks at 30+ mph. Most accidents can be avoided, education is the big thing.

Post by **ady** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 12:04 pm

lots of good tips - thanks guys