This has to fall under stupid I guess

[rivermouse]

Last week I took my little tinny to the river to check out the little top I made for it. I heard there may be some light scattered thunderstorms late in the day but figured it was no big deal. I was wrong. It got dark quick when I was a mile from the ramp and after several lightening strikes I rushed to a near by bank and tied the boat up and got out, Even though there was no shelter other than the thick trees I had to get off of the water . Soon the very heavy rain came with more near by strong lightening flashed and then I was pelted with hail the size of navy beans, I then went into the woods as the wind started to gust, I learned later that speeds of over 70 mph were clocked and I was in the middle of the worst part of the storm. I have never felt such strong winds and I survived HUGO... The storm was almost over 20 minutes later as I noticed my bilge pump had stopped because my boat was sinking lower and lower. Even though there was still some lightening I had to go and bail about 15 gallons from the boat,,,,,,,,As you see I did make it home and I plan to always check the weather forecast better from now on....Good news is the boat didnt sink and my new top held in place and the boat didn't blow away .

 

[Mylo53]

Re: This has to fall under stupid I guess

Been there, Done that! I have enough stories about boating and bad weather I am called the boat club's Jim Cantore (Weather Channel). I always watch the weather, but those freak storms do come up. If it is more likely to rain, that is one thing, but if it is more likely to storm, that is another. Keep an eye to the sky, bettter yet, get a smartphone and download the Weather Channel app. I use mine extensively.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: This has to fall under stupid I guess

That has happened to me 1 1/2 times. The first time was at night and I feared for my life until I got to shore. The 1/2 time was when I saw dark clouds and heard the first rumble of thunder I made a beeline to the launch, got to the dock just as the storm hit and was drenched by the time I got from the dock to the truck.

After the first time, I always watch the sky and listen now.

I'm addicted to the weather channel, but always have been because I work outside. I always check the weather nbefore going out, but those 30% chance of isolated t-storms can turn into 100% if you're in their path.

 

[j_martin]

Re: This has to fall under stupid I guess

Most marine VHF radios can be set up to dog the nearest NOAA weather alert station and beep in real loud if a warning is issued in your area. The stations cover about a 40 - 50 mile radius, so warnings are usually applicable.

I also have a couple of Cobra MicroTalk personal radios that will set up like that.

I keep the VHF on channel 16 and weather alert whenever I'm boating. That way I can be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: This has to fall under stupid I guess

I had boats similar to yours (from what I can see in the picture) and had them overwhelmed by rain and squalls. You may have had your stern to the waves and taken water that way. But a real heavy rain will do it, too.
On mine I could pull the plug from the inside and run the water out, but you had to be careful when there was a lot of water b/c it would pile up in the stern. But once I got the deck bailed off I was OK.

A hand pump is a good thing to have on board to get into the bilge. And good thing you have a bailer. Lots of boaters don't and it crazy.

Why did your pump fail? I assume not the battery since you seem to have been able to start it?

Like most of the country, our rain storms usually run west to east, so checking the weather map on line up wind is a good start. But I watched a very odd system a few weeks ago, during very high temps: a storm system formed and grew from a stationary point, adn spread out from maybe a quarter mile to 5 miles across--then it started moving. Big rain, big wind. I think it could have been an incoming tide (cool water) hitting a hot beach but I don't know.

PS i wouldn't call you stupid; I'd say you are a boater who made a good choice, and now is that much more experienced.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: This has to fall under stupid I guess

4th of July year before last road out a Squall Line on our small lake- wee were in the 26ft Wellcraft aft cabin--no problem other that rain blowing side ways in my face before I could get the side curtains zipped in.--then I could not see past the bow rail-We were on the sand bar and saw it comming--pulled anchor cuz I did not want to be beached-headed out to deeper water---Sister in law had local weather radar on i-pad in cabin & kept me & kids on deck posted--it was a blast. 30 minutes later it was calm & Sunny again.

 

[narwhals]

Re: This has to fall under stupid I guess

i can relate to getting the brunt end of mother natures wrath many times on lake george upstate ny. worst one was up in the mother bunch of islands we were camping on. we were on the wrong side of the island the exposed side from the way the storm came up the lake and in a flippin hurry. completly destroyed the tent bent one inch poles almost in half,blew a wooden picnic table 10 feet,the ones were two guys have to move it and and struggle,and oh yeah the boat was docked and as the waves came in it slammed it up onto the rocks then as the waves receded it would proceed to smash and scrape the hull as it dragges back. after about 15 minutes of struggling to get the boat in deep enough water to keep it from being pounded on the rocks below we hunkered down in the cuddy cabin completly soaked. lower unit damaged from excessive pounding,$2500.00 to the lower unit which parts took all summer to get into the marina. the good part was that it gave them plenty of time to fix all the damage to the hull $1500.00. that was an expensive camping trip.

 

[kahuna123]

Re: This has to fall under stupid I guess

26aftcab that is one of the smartest entries I have seen on this forum

 

[rivermouse]

Re: This has to fall under stupid I guess

The top worked good once I had enough nerve to get back in the boat, Funny thing is 2 days after the blow I developed an itchy rash on my back and back of my legs. I think the air had poison ivy leaves in it ? Gave it a few days and it cleared up.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: This has to fall under stupid I guess

More likely on one of the trees you were huggin

 

[cribber]

Re: This has to fall under stupid I guess

This happens often here in Central Florida. In the afternoon the sea breeze collisions happen in the afternoon and it could come from the east or west depending which coastal breeze is stronger. Luckily if we catch it right we can outrun most of them to shelter. The problem is when the winds kick up ahead of the storm... One minute the lake is flat as glass and the next your trying not to get swamped by 3-4 foot swells.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: This has to fall under stupid I guess

Not to get you scared but you do realize that lightnigh hitting a tree your under can jump to you. I fish rain but not thunderstorms.