Storm strategies

[hdradaza]

I am a new boater. Been out only 4 times. Last time we went out, we started on a nice and sunny day. On the way back, the weather quickly changed and we were facing about 9 foot waves.

I have a tri hull 18 footer. I had always wanted to get some practice under these conditions so I would be ready but I was not expecting something of this magnitude. The tri hull really proved its worth during those times since we were really stable despite the constant waves. We were taking in so much water from the waves. Luckily I had two bilge pumps working perfectly. I took the waves at an angle (30 -45 degrees) and accelerated as I went up the waves and decelerated as we went down the waves. We dealt with these conditions for about 30 minutes.

Never at any point was I scared and I just tried to do the most logical things but I do wish I was more prepared.

I found this link on youtube ... http://youtube.com/watch?v=FwlCARfnO5s

Any FREE online resources such as online articles, videos, diagrams (so it is easy to understand ) on how to handle storms and adverse conditions at sea ?

Any DVD tutorials that I can order ?

 

[dmcb]

Re: Storm strategies

I can't help you with on line sites but I have been boating for more than 50 years.
I want to congratulate you on a job well done. I don't think anyone could have done better.
The tri hull is a safe stable boat but a wet one in those conditions as you found.
I often suggest people take their boats out in not the best of conditions to gain some experience.
You noted you felt the same.
I can't think of a thing you could have done different.
A couple of suggestions. I think you likely have figured this out all ready but the weather can change fast so don't take a boat out farther that the size, condition, and owner experience can get safely back when this happens.
Get a marine radio. Two reasons. You can monitor the weather and you have the ability to call for help. Marine help. A cell phone isn't the same. While useful you can easily get beyond range and you won't have the right numbers and will have to transfer from the 911 operator. Also when help is underway, they will want to communicate with you via a marine radio.
The only other thing I can think of is to have a sea anchor aboard.
It is a parachute type thing that drags in the water and keeps your bow headed into the seas if you lose power.
You did very well in handling your boat. I congratulate you on your seamanship and desire to improve. You have good common sense and used it. That is likely the best thing you can use.
Oh, one other important thing.
Take a Coast Guard or Power Squad. course. You will get a hands on course on everything a new boater should know. Don't miss this.
Doug

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Storm strategies

I would have been scared stiff in 8' waves with my 16 footer I think it would have capsized. I don't know if the waves on Lake Erie differ from ocean waves but it seems like 9' waves would capsize an 18' boat. If you weren't even scared you must be one brave individual or just really confident in your boat. All I can say is wear those life vests.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Storm strategies

Congratulations on a job well done.

I think the answers here are:

1. Always get a weather forcast and keep your eyes on the weather at all times. Like if you are fishing or playing, every once in awhile just look around at the sky.

A lot of time you can get a few minutes notice just by knowing what kind of clouds precede what kind of weather.

Also, like in tropical areas, know that usually in the summer months, there is going to be a very short (usually afternoon) intense storm that probably will affect you. Know it and prepare your evasive action ahead of time.

Know the wind patterns. Like on the Gulf of Mexico up here, things are usually quiet in the morning but in the summer, nearly every afternoon the South wind picks up and gets rather intense. If you head North to get home (like usually is the case here) it's a lot easier dealing with the waves.

2. Know your boat and what it can and can't do. I think you proved that.

3. Know different methods of storm survival and try till different ones till you find the one that works. Looks like you did that too.

Mark

 

[hdradaza]

Re: Storm strategies

thanks guys.

It was actually a flovial parade. Every year in the philippines we celebrate the birth of our church ( Filipino's are predominantly christian ). And so the image of the virgin mary holding the baby jesus makes its rounds around all areas of our city and after it ends in the last church, it is then placed on a yacht and it is travelled around 40 miles around the island city to the main church. The yacht is of course the leader of a long parade of boats, yachts, jet skis etc. So all boat owners join this parade (this year we had about 100 boats).

Everyone went through the big waves I was talking about so at that point everyone kind of distanced each other. 5 boats also stalled and had engine problems. 10 boats went back the other way. We decided to fight it through with the rest although most had gone farther off shore. We stayed close inland. I guess I wasn't scared because there was so many of us and the coast guard was there. However, too many can be dangerous too...

Here is a picture of my tri hull which bravely made it through...
http://www.friendster.com/photos/6270895/1/884103049

It is a newly rebuilt boat. more pics here

I will try to look for pictures of the "flovial" (sea Parade).

A70eliminator - thanks. yes the waves were prettty big. coming at around 20 feet intervals. We were around 50 yards from the cliff too. The bigger boats ventured out towards the ocean which gave even harsher conditions.

dmcb - thank you. It's great to hear that. I will order the sea anchor asap. Please expound more on how and when to use the sea anchor. I mainly stay within the small islands across our city so it is within reach with cell phone. I will however buy rightaway a waterproof cellphone and a handheld marine radio. I already have a gps. I am not sure if the Philippine coastguard offers such courses but I will inquire. Good idea. Yes you are right, the tri hull is a very stable boat but a wet one. During that ordeal, I would probably have vision for only about 5 seconds because of the waves coming into the boat and drenching everyone. So I would loose vision for about 3 or 4 seconds and regain it for 5 seconds before the next wave would come again and turn off the lights. I had the other passengers (there were 6 of us) give me audibles (there goes my football ). One took charge of giving me distance to the rocks. One took charge of the waves and the other for where I would be headed. Another one for my sea water level in the bilge and of course the others were bailing out water.

I guess I just wanted general tips and ideas so when the time comes I am ready for it.

 

[hdradaza]

Re: Storm strategies

thanks guys.

It was actually a flovial parade. Every year in the philippines we celebrate the birth of our church ( Filipino's are predominantly christian ). And so the image of the virgin mary holding the baby jesus makes its rounds around all areas of our city and after it ends in the last church, it is then placed on a yacht and it is travelled around 40 miles around the island city to the main church. The yacht is of course the leader of a long parade of boats, yachts, jet skis etc. So all boat owners join this parade (this year we had about 100 boats).

Everyone went through the big waves I was talking about so at that point everyone kind of distanced each other. 5 boats also stalled and had engine problems. 10 boats went back the other way. We decided to fight it through with the rest although most had gone farther off shore. We stayed close inland. I guess I wasn't scared because there was so many of us and the coast guard was there. However, too many can be dangerous too...

Here is a picture of my tri hull which bravely made it through...
http://www.friendster.com/photos/6270895/1/884103049

It is a newly rebuilt boat. more pics here

I will try to look for pictures of the "flovial" (sea Parade).

A70eliminator - thanks. yes the waves were prettty big. coming at around 20 feet intervals. We were around 50 yards from the cliff too. The bigger boats ventured out towards the ocean which gave even harsher conditions.

dmcb - thank you. It's great to hear that. I will order the sea anchor asap. Please expound more on how and when to use the sea anchor. I mainly stay within the small islands across our city so it is within reach with cell phone. I will however buy rightaway a waterproof cellphone and a handheld marine radio. I already have a gps. I am not sure if the Philippine coastguard offers such courses but I will inquire. Good idea. Yes you are right, the tri hull is a very stable boat but a wet one. During that ordeal, I would probably have vision for only about 5 seconds because of the waves coming into the boat and drenching everyone. So I would loose vision for about 3 or 4 seconds and regain it for 5 seconds before the next wave would come again and turn off the lights. I had the other passengers (there were 6 of us) give me audibles (there goes my football ). One took charge of giving me distance to the rocks. One took charge of the waves and the other for where I would be headed. Another one for my sea water level in the bilge and of course the others were bailing out water.

I guess I just wanted general tips and ideas so when the time comes I am ready for it.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Storm strategies

Nice boat. For some reason I expected to see more freeboard. I can understand your getting wet in waves of that size, especially if you had the boat loaded down with family/friends for the parade.

Mark

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Storm strategies

Good leadership and captaining skills to assign everyone a co-operative task for the good of the group and safety of the boat.

 

[hdradaza]

Re: Storm strategies

thanks frank and texas.

I guess the tasking came from my football coaching background. hehehe.

Frank - what do you mean by freeboard ?

So does anyone have links of videos or articles to help us new boaters out???

 

[dmcb]

Re: Storm strategies

About the sea anchor. It will seldom if ever be used. It is kind of a last ditch solution if the seas are great and you lose power. It will keep your bow into the waves. It need not be huge but should be rigged with a line and ready to deploy if necessary.
Here is a link. It is usually used for larger boats but I know anyone will sometime wish they had one.
It doesn't have to be expensive.
Here is a link you might find useful.
http://images.google.com/images?q=s...20US245&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=images&ct=title
If you have a Coast Guard Auxiliary, they likely have classes.
A book that you will find helpful is Chapmans.
Ebay or Amazon will likely have one.
Here is a link. http://www.amazon.com/Chapman-Piloting-Seamanship-64th-Illustrations/dp/1588160890
Doug

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Storm strategies

Freeboard is the distance from the water to where it could get into the boat......like how high are the sides basically. Usually the higher the freeboard the better chance you will have of surviving a storm.

Conversely, the higher the freeboard the harder it is to get into and out of the boat, manuever while fishing (bass-school fish), launch and load on a trailer, boat hygiene and prep at home and tendency to be blown about by the wind.

Mark