Boat handling

[Alan Grudzinski]

I own a 14ft aluminum utility boat with an 18hp Johnson outboard. Two years ago, I was caught in a big storm on a 2500 acre reservior. The storm came up very quickly, we were three miles from the ramp. My boat will run 23mph with two adults. We made within a half mile of the ramp at W.O.T.,before the 4ft. rollers hit. This lake is 7 miles from inlet(north) to dam(south). Had 40mph winds from north, had to go east to ramp. What can you do when 4 ft waves hit the side of your boat? I couldn't go into them, because that was the wrong direction. Bigger boat? I saw an 18 ft Glass boat fill with water. We made it to the ramp, 6" water in the boat. What did I do wrong? Now, I am freaked out by any waves over 2 ft. My little boat brought us home, but all my confidence is lost. Any advise would be great. I want to beat this fear. Thanks for any advise.

[Terry/JNR]

Since you did make it back, even with the 6" of water in the boat, you apperantly handled it ok. A bigger boat is obviously an option to take big water, but then a guy has the tendancy to take bigger risks. You still have to be able to use common sence and not panic in this type of situation.

[Fin Addict]

Quarter the waves. If you needed to go SE to get to the ramp w/ a N wind, this should be the ideal scenario. Just go slow and flow w/ the waves. Remember, you don't always have to get back to the ramp. If it is safer to go to the other shore and wait out the rough stuff, it beats drowning. I always have a heater and appropriate clothes to spend the night if need be for any trip to bigger water. Lake Superior or other Great lakes, you need to get back to the shore w/ the ramp so if you haven't got a radio w/ you and thoroughly checked the weather report before going out on that type of water in a 14' boat, you probably deserve whatever happens. Wear your life jacket!

[Hans]

LAST EDITED ON Sep-14-00 AT 10:18AM (CST)[p]
The first rule of small-craft seamanship in threatening water is "You don't need to get to the ramp -- you need to get to safety."

If there is any question about your ability to safely proceed to the ramp, take the path of least resistance to a beach or dock and wait it out. Then head for the ramp. I'd rather my bride ***** me out for being late, than to have her consoled by my fishing buddies because I didn't turn up at all.

Hans

--
"There is nothing; absolutely nothing; half so much worth doing,
as simply messing about in boats." :-)

[ETT]

You may want to consider a simple bilge pump and a small battrey so you can kick out the water. Don't be assamed of your natural precaution. Over time and with experience it will became a valuable asset. Noone was born a good seaman, we all learned by experience, you simply had a crash course. Many of us have been VERY VERY GLAD to be back on solid ground, as I am sure you where. Panic is what kills most boating accident victims. Boats will handle more than most boaters believe. Keep a cool head and learn as you go. Glad to hear your OK. Any body of water is deserving of respect. Good luck

[REW]

I 2nd the posting on going with the flow.
This happened to me a few years ago on Mille Lacs with my old boat. We were in the middle - catching lots of fish - when heavy fog rolled in and the wind began to pick up.

I had a compass and was beginning to make my way back - when after 20 minutes, I noticed that I was back where I started. There were still some boats in the area.

I then looked at my compasss - and picked up my pliars that were lying beside the compass. The compass swung around to the correct direction.
The pliars were partially magnetized - and were holding the compass in the same direction.

Any rate - I had lost 20 valuable minutes in getting back. Then the wind really picked up.
I said to my friends - we are simply going to drift before the wind - and get off the lake as quickly and as safely as we can.

We just turned our back to the wind - kept our speed to match the waves -- and surfed the 10 miles back to the opposite shore. There was a resort in the area - with a covered ramp -- that was a wonderful site to see.

When we got on shore - I realized where we were - 10 miles from our car and trailer. I asked if we could get a lift down lake, and a fellow was just getting off work.

I caught a ride and picked up my car and trailer, while my friends stayed behind and cleaned fish. We had caught lots of nice fish - just before the wind hit.

After getting back -- a fellow came up to me asking for a ride. He had a boat exactly like yours - 14 foot boat - 20 hp motor. He had put in on the opposite shore - 18 miles away. He had been fishing about 3 miles off shore when the wind hit. He did the same thing I had done -- i.e. go before the wind the 15 or so miles across the lake. Of course I gave him a ride all the way around the lake -- about 30 miles - to his truck. He was most appreciative -- and was also very happy to be safe and undamaged.

He had done the same as I -- simply let the storm blow me -- and drift before the storm.

A couple of years ago - I was up on Leech with my wife. We were fishing a mid lake flat -- and had been having pretty good luck. The wind was blowing about 20-30 mph - with 3-4 foot waves, but was managable. Then we saw a thunderstorm blowing in - that looked awfully dark. We could see the storm coming - with what looked like heavy hail and very heavy rain. My wife spoke up and said. " I don't think that we can outrun, this blow in this chop - so we had better just drift before the storm."

Again, we did the same thing -- I checked my GPS to be sure that there would be no land in my way for the next few miles and just turned off the motor and drifted before the wind. The problem was that although the winds probably went to 50 mph -- there was golf ball sized hail associated with the storm. By drifting before the storm - ( I assume that we were drifting at 5-10 mph - we could lessen the impact of the hail on us. We put extra rain gear over ourselves - turned our back and let the storm blow itself out.

After the storm blew over - we were near an island - where we stopped and enjoyed the beautiful rainbow that had come out after the storm. No damage - and we even caught some nice fish in the bay by the island after the seas calmed a bit.

Go with the flow and don't fight mother nature. She will win every time.

Take care

REW

[KevinA]

I agree that fighting mother nature can be a losing battle, but the turning off the motor part makes me a bit uneasy. If you can't quarter the waves to get back in then by all means go with the flow. One problem that might arise with no power is you get in a beam sea (boat gunnels parallel to the waves) and a wave rolls the boat right over. Another concern without power is a wave breaking over the back end of the boat...if this happens you're in a lot of trouble...and it happens really fast.

The first rule is not to take a 14 footer far out out on big water if the weather is iffy, but if you're out there & it happens then (personally) I'd maintain power & control...quarter a following sea if you have to. That or send out a drift bag & keep the bow into the waves...that's what it's there for.

(.....old sailors & bold sailors, but no old-bold sailors....)

[Phil T.]

See how well you did at www.usps.org.

[Alan Grudzinski]

Thanks for all the helpful advice. I always wear my life vest, being a non-swimmer. In my situation, I was too far s.w. to quarter the waves and get to the east ramp. I wanted to beach the boat, but we were right on the Dam, and were worried abought the rocks. I guess that is still better than drowning. One more Q, what is the best way to go into waves? Straight into them, or quartering? As a side note, the weather report was good that day. ##### Nebraska Weather! Thanks again for the help.

[legend]

When you cannot quarter, head into or with the wind and large waves, it is a tough situation with a small boat. I learned to hammer it and run in and follow the troughs, slow and quarter into a wave, and then hammer it again. It is a rough ride and you are going to get water in the boat and your stuff is going to fly around. But there are times when you have no choice, especially when confronted by rocky shores. Most lakeshore dwellers will gladly help you out with a ride if you have to beach the boat on developed lakes. They understand. Best idea is to constantly watch the weather, don't go out beyond the capability of your craft and be aware.
Regards

[Alan]

Hey, Phil T, I took the test and passed 100%. Thank's for the info.