Got the snot beat out of me today

[chris in va]

Situation, Annapolis to Baltimore's Inner Harbor for some shopping/dining/whatever. Forecast stated light winds, 5-10 knots, waves 1 foot. We get out on the bay and there it was, 2 foot swells with all the boat traffic. I was about to turn around, but my friend suggested heading for the middle, which helped. <br /><br />We do the shopping thing, get back on the water around 7. 1/3 the way back, the swells get HUGE, like 3'+. My 19' bow rider just didn't like that, and a normally 1.5 hour trip was turning into a Gilligan's Island episode. Dark fell and the swells were big, dropped down to 8mph, spray over the bow...time to notify the CG. They sent out a high-powered Zodiac looking boat and escorted us to the nearest boat ramp (Sandy Point). Those guys were so incredibly great, they even drove us to my truck back in Annapolis. Wow.<br /><br />So, it could have been worse. I do have a GPS, VHF, cell phone, PFD's, etc and the CG was fairly impressed. Everyone we talked to was saying the forecast was totally wrong, especially about swell/wave heights. I don't think I'll be back on the bay anytime soon.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

Well you certainly get my kudos for knowing when to ask for help.This could have been a real disaster otherwise.Hats off to you and the Coast Guard!!!!!

 

[L Christopher]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

It is good to know they are there when you need them, I hope and pray I never need them.

 

[Snailman]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

Hi Chris!<br /><br />You're scarin' the crap outa me! I have a 21' Wellcraft Cuddy ( http://home.comcast.net/~snailman22030/missdelivery.jpg ) and I'm down on the Rappahanock (I live full time in Manassas also). I want to go out on the Bay but that's my worst nightmare! The weather can change so quickly and my boat handling skills are still weak. <br /><br />It's REALLY nice to know that the Coast Guard ran out to help you. I'd like to hear more about that experience and what happened.<br /><br />Did they inspect your boat? All of my licenses and equipment (flares, flags, life vests, fire extinguishers, horns, lights, GPS, radio etc...) are just fine but I wonder what they look for.

 

[G DANE]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

Hi Snailman<br /><br />I cloused deck will stand a lot more than a bowrider - its critical if you get a lot of water inside and boat gets heavy. You really need tough waves to get that with a cloused deck. I drove my Fjord 21´ daycruiser in 6´ wawes. Slowly, but it sure wasnt comfortable, we had difficulties seing where to go over the wawes !!

 

[Carphunter]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

Hey Snailman,<br /><br />Where was the picture taken? That sure is a beautiful place.

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

Apart from being a stunning place the photographer also needs credit.<br /><br />Nice exposure, composition and use of shade and foreground detail.<br /><br />Good one<br />Andrew

 

[Snailman]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

Wow! Now I'm a photographer! I took that with my digital camera (Olympus D-550) in my back yard. <br /><br />I have a little place on the Northern Neck of Virginia on Greenvale Creek (on the Rappahanock River).<br /><br />C'mon down!

 

[Snailman]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

Uhhh...... er... Now back to the Coast Guard...<br /><br />What did they look for and/or inspect? I truly want to hear more about that experience.

 

[KennyKenCan]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

Hey chris in va,<br /><br />Next time, instead of slowing down, try to add a little more power and get the nose of the boat down by trimming in.<br /><br />You need to keep the boat up on a plane to get the best ride.<br /><br />I have a 20' cuddy cabin and regularly run it 3 - 4' waves with no problems and usually can average 30 MPH without getting airbourne to often.<br /><br />One thing I have learned about operating a boat is that when you get the feeling that things are getting out of hand, it usually means that the bow is way to high for the conditions, and you need to trim in and stay on the power.<br /><br />Slowing down tends to just beat you up more.<br /><br />I know that this seems un-natural, but boats tend handle the way you least expect them to, especially when it gets ruff.<br /><br />Kenny

 

[chris in va]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

Sorry I haven't replied, didn't know others were reading the post! <br /><br />The problem was, they weren't waves but swells. 3-4' and no whitecaps. My boat was plowing up and down so hard I thought for sure some green water would swamp us any minute. There was *no* way I could have gone faster than the indicated 8mph in that mess. My boat doesn't have a whole lot of freeboard as it is.<br /><br />I called the CG on my VHF and got a land-based station. He talked me through the different lighthouses and pinpointed my location after giving him the coordinates from my ETrex. After a while, they sent out this overgrown Zodiac-looking boat with a tall center console and guided us to safety. All they did was ask for my registration once we got ashore. Obviously we had every known safety device I could think of, and they all worked great. PFD's, spotlight, VHF, GPS, operating bilge pump, etc etc.

 

[Lark40]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

Chris,<br /><br />Glad you came out of it OK.<br /><br />But, I really feel that a 19' bowrider is just not a safe boat for the Bay. <br /><br />My 22' cuddy is advertised as a "Great Lakes fishing boat", and handles waves well, but I am very careful about venturing out into the Bay unless the forecasts and "feeling" is for calm seas. Way too many stories of white-knuckle experiences in boats larger than yours and mine.

 

[Snailman]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

Thanks Chris! <br /><br />I've never had to call on the Coast Guard but it sure is nice to know that they're there for us!<br /><br />I think I'm about ready to venture into the Bay. I had Miss Delivery out on 7/4 and she's running like a top. I fixed all of her lights and I rebuilt her rotten engine box and stern plank. I think I'm going to take an overnight trip UP the Rappahanock first. We'll see how she does on fuel consumption (I still don't trust my guage) and then I'm going to make a couple of runs into the Bay during striper season. She's not really made for trolling but we'll work it out.<br /><br />I'm also in Manassas (on Fairview) but my boat stays at my place down on the Northern Neck just outside Lively, VA. Shoot me an e-mail... <br /><br />Snailman22030@Comcast.Net

 

[fishfearme]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

Happy Ending to a story that probably happens hundreds of times a year. <br /> Two biggest liars in the whole world:<br />1. The weatherman....as mark Twain once said...everyone complains about the weather, but no one ever does anything about it.<br /><br />2. The guy at the bait shop......Oh man they are tearing 'em up with these bodlehoppers here, better take a few extra just in case...<br /><br />I served 20 years in the Coast Guard, and the best feeling in the world was helping someone. Also the worst feeling in the world, was helping somebody in rough seas. Glad you had a good experience!

 

[mathiasmorgan]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

chris in va wrote:<br />

We do the shopping thing, get back on the water around 7. 1/3 the way back, the swells get HUGE, like 3'+. My 19' bow rider just didn't like that

Wow.. I didn't realize bow-riders were quite that sensitive. I was considering a bowrider style boat because I liked the concept for a pleasure boat. I ended up buying my old Penn Yan deep V instead. From your experience, I'm glad I did, especially considering I have Lake Erie near by. I just finished restoring this old boat and took it out this past weekend. There were 4-5' swells and that deep V took them like they were 2 footers. I'm not picking on your boat chris, I just never realized this would be an issue in 3 foot swells.<br />George333

 

[pbailey]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

What Chris is refering to is what we here in the Chesapeake call chop.<br /><br />The Chesapeake is famous for it, it is wind driven. Gets worse when the wind is opposite the tide. I wouldn't call them swells, because swells are even in angle on both sides of the wave, very pleasent ride on a true swell. Chop on the other hand is nasty. <br /><br />Correct me if I'm wrong Chris, but what made it so difficult was that the waves were very steep on the down wind side of the wave. And what made it so steep was the wind against the tide. <br /><br />I've been out with south winds 10-15 knots and the tide will get to running out and everthing goes to hell. Can get very rough just from the tide change.<br /><br />pbailey

 

[Snailman]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

PBailey.... Thanks for that info; something else to look out for! Tide + wind forcasts. <br /><br />

 

[Snailman]

Re: Got the snot beat out of me today

I was just down playing on the water this past weekend and watching for what you described. <br /><br />With the wind and tide going in opposite directions there were some pretty steep waves on the river. They were'nt that tall but even the small one developed white caps when things got shallow. <br /><br />It seemed that the smoothest ride was going to be out in deep water.<br /><br />Wind, tide & depth. I've got my copy of Chapman Piloting but nothing beats experience.<br /><br />