When high winds erupt on lake

[mountainboy]

I was wondering if anyone has any advice about how to handle the ol' 14 ft. fiberglass trihull when high winds erupt on the lake. I'm a bit new to boating (have kayaked for a few years, but never ventured out too far). I also have a 1984 9.9 evinrude which is a true champ! Any info. is always greatly appreciated. MB

 

[buschman]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

put it back on the trailer and go home

 

[mountainboy]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

Putting it back on the trailer is the easy part. I'm talking about when I'm out on the lake and the winds hit. Is there is a certain way to direct the boat and control it when the waves are hitting in order to get me safely to shore? MB

 

[88spl]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

A freind of mine went out about a month ago in a new,used fishing boat, paid 15,000 for it. I was asked to go the lake Fork with them but declined as the weatherman said high winds on the lakes.(that wasn't the reason I gave not to go) anyway, Steve my buddy told me the next day they sank the boat! That the winds were so high, that when trying to retreave the boat at the ramp, waves would come over the back of the boat and filled it with water, the boat then driffted off to the side of the ramp, and hit several rocks befor stopping, then he said it started to rain hard. I have dreams about it! Well several hrs later they managed to retreive the boat, Steve said it was full of that green moss all over the carpet, very messy. I allways watch and listen to the weather guy befor going out on the lake, its not worth it,<br />especily with kids

 

[corm]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

I generaly try to quarter into the waves taking a zig zag path back to the landing. Speed depends on the way your boat handels the waves, to fast and u may submarine it if the waves are far enough apart. To slow and they can wash over you<br />flooding the boat, a bad thing too. It maybe wise the find a sheltered bay to sit it out in sometimes. Check with the Coast Guard or your DNR or Fish&Game dpt for book on it. A boating saftey<br />course would help also.<br />Above all be safe and have FUN.

 

[mountainboy]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

Thanks alot for the advice!! I really appreciate it. MB

 

[Boatist]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

Mountainboy<br />First thing in bad weather is everyone must wear their life Jacket. Second if it is too bad don't go find shelter and wait it out, Better to be late.<br />If you decide you can make it you need to make sure boat is balanced. Weight low and in the center. Most boats will lean into the wind so move weight around to get it balanced while under way. If you are traveling into the wind move tilt pin in motor out one knotch to raise the bow a little. Slow down do not go up on plane. If it is too bad to head directly to you destination then quarter the waves. Waves on any quarter and tack to different quarter as necessary to get to destination. On my 14 alminum I find it best to head into waves at about 30 degrees. When I try 45 degrees it pushes the bow too far on big waves and I end up all most sideways. My 21 foot boat anywhere 30 to 45 degrees is ok. If the wind and waves are coming from behind this I feel is most dangerous. Waves will pick up the back of boat and push it foward and try to broach the boat or worse yet if go over the wave can run down the face of the wave and bury the bow in the next wave and pitch pole the boat. In big swell best to ride the back side of the wave and do not go over. Waves will usually travel 18 to 20 mph so if you can not go that fast slow down and as the wave pick up the back of the boat control any yaw do not let it push you sideways. Make sure any water you get in boat is pumped out. <br />I have taken Coast Guard class three times and U S power squardon's class twice and they were great classes, but do not really give you much info on rough water. The last two classed I taken one form both have been really shortened and not nearly as good as old classes. I ask why and both said many people Just want the certificate to save on insurance and will not sign up for the longer calss. Still I take one about every five years and until they shortened the class always learned something. My whole crew has completed at the Coast Guard class. There long class if pretty good and worth takeing. The US power squardon long class has a better navigation course.

 

[crab bait]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

the 'power squardron' also has tons of other classes on navigation , piloting, weather , to motor repair & more ... lots more... all free for the takin' after you pass with high marks on the first coarse ,boating safety & join up .. for a fee of $50 dollars ,give or take.. IT'S A GOOD THING ...

 

[Capt. Bob]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

Experience. The most important thing to have with you when things turn for the worse. Every post here is giving you advice based on their experience. Classes are a great place to begin but there is nothing that can take the place of experience. You can gain this but limiting your outings to near shore and protected areas until you have spent time on the water and gained the knowledge to safely take yourself, family and friends out where the weather and other factors can make a mess of your day. For example, along with passing several tests, you can only become a USCG licensed Captain when you have demonstrated that you have experienced many hours on the water. An experienced Captain will not venture beyond his ability to safely navigate and protect his passengers.<br />A few things to remember...always have you pfds readily accessible and let all passengers know where they are in the boat if they do not wear them. Tell a friend or family member where you will be boating and when you should be back...if you are not, they will be able to contact the proper authority and get help to you asap. Know the ability and capacity of you boat and never overload it. Do trials...where you practice heading into waves and other conditions before you are forced to learn the hard way. Sometimes it is better to drop and anchor, put on your pfds and sit it out rather that try to run in it. There are many things to learn and every time you are out you will learn something new. Learn "local knowledge"...does the wind kick up at a certain time of day? Does the water get choppy, confused when there are a lot of boats out? Ask..<br />Fair winds and safe seas,

 

[lepper]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

capt. Bob is right. Experience is the key. learn what your boat can handle and what you can handle. In my experience, which is all based on the coast, Crossing Bars, fighting strong winds. I don't mind going with the waves, just get inbetween a couple of big ones and make sure you have ENOUGH POWER to out run the 10 ft wave coming at your butt end. For smaller waves 3ft or so I find that it is easiest for me to just angle into them, trim the motor and point the bow up in the air a little bit and go.. not to fast and not to slow there is a sweet spot you will find. good luck.<br />dave

 

[KCook]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

^

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

the trick is getting experience without becoming a statistic!<br /><br />whoops, dammn, hey, I drowned, can I get a redo?<br /><br />this will actually sound more like<br /><br />glub blub glub glub ACK!<br /><br />lest anyone underestimate the ferocity of fresh water, the edmund fitzgerald was nearly 800 feet long, some 13 thousand TONS of her, well, him I guess<br /><br />of course, lake superior is an inland sea, but a long enough fetch and youve got serious waves, I bet Jasons lake kicks up like a monster, and those dammed (real dams!) impoundments out west must get vicious as well<br /><br />if it gets BAD, beach the boat<br /><br />repeat<br /><br />if it gets BAD, BEACH THE BOAT!<br /><br />better to have a dinged up bottom than a dead crew<br /><br />if its sheer rock walls, head to the leeward side<br /><br />and bigger is better<br /><br />

 

[kev_alaska]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

After you finish hanging out in here, look at this spot for some information for new boaters. Even old boaters can pick up something each trip... Boating Saftey Study topics

 

[Bushleaguer]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

Great info here on rough water handling.http://www.docksidereports.com/rough_water_seamanship_1.htm

 

[zzzzz]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

ALWAYS file a float plan before you leave home !!

 

[ED21]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

Bushleaguer, <br />Very interesting site. I'll take some time to go through it & refresh my memory & maybe learn a few things. All the suggestions are good. One of the most important things I've found, besides a bit of knowledge & a seaworthy boat, is to keep your head & adjust your boat speed & heading according to the conditions. I know of 2 Boston Whalers that were flipped by running fast into a strong wind with a steep chop. A little common sense can go a long way.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

they were running BOSTON WHALERS fast in a heavy chop? were they masochists???<br /><br /> <br /><br />

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: When high winds erupt on lake

Use small boats on small waters! Your little 14 ft does not belong on a lake where you're going to be concerned if you're going to make it back in heavy wave.