storm while boating.

[beezee28]

This was my first time in a storm on a lake. This happened at Lake Sam Rayburn. We were having a slow cruise around the some of the inlet and when we got out to the lake proper suddenly there was a hugh wind blowing and the water on the lake was white capping in a matter of a few minutes to about 3 to 4ft high. We quickly put on our pfd and boat by now was taking on water badly and we are about 15 ft from shore, the water came in wave about 8 to 10 feet apart. Scare the s*** out of me as I thought that we are going to capsize with the bow of the boat dipping down so low and the next wave cresting over with a lot of water coming into the boat. Finally I got back into one of the cove and the water was a whole lot calmer but the wind was still blowing. I was idleing slowing into the cove and the next thing I know I hit ground on one of the shallow spot. Shut the engine and when to check the prop and found a small strip of prop was torn out but still useable. Now that I was grounded I hit the bildge but water was coming out at a dribble. Found out that the hose had a kink in it and about half a hour to work out the kink and took another 15 minute to pump out all the water. It took about an hour for the weather to pass and after that the lake was calm again.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: storm while boating.

Yup, scary stuff for sure. Just out of curiosity, did you check the weather forecast before you went out? Not be judgemental, but if you didn't, this should be a lesson learned!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: storm while boating.

Yup, scary stuff for sure. Just out of curiosity, did you check the weather forecast before you went out? Not be judgemental, but if you didn't, this should be a lesson learned!

Excellent point.

 

[Nandy]

Re: storm while boating.

Now that I was grounded I hit the bildge but water was coming out at a dribble. Found out that the hose had a kink in it and about half a hour to work out the kink and took another 15 minute to pump out all the water. It took about an hour for the weather to pass and after that the lake was calm again.

I was in a storm in a lake two. This was no fun at all. If you have the hose that is corrugated you might want to change it for the solid wall hose. They are more resistant to anything and everything than them corrugated ones. Make sure they hose is secured, also check to have a loop in the hose as close as you can to the water port to keep water from waves coming in. Loop should be higher than the water port.

 

[David Greer]

Re: storm while boating.

I also carry a hand pump. Hope I never need it. But I've used them before and they move a lot of water.
We have sudden squalls in the summer like that. Good move putting on the PFD's. If you can't out-run you have to go into them and keep the bow up--a good reason not to underpower your boat. Getting pasengers to help is hard b/c they want to stay dry squeal when they need to sit where you put them for ballast-probably in the stern or amidships. It's tricky to power up the face of the wave and not drop into the trough and submarine the next one. Also very tricky to turn around--takes a quick pivot and brass balls.
There's no teacher like experience and now you know more about your boat. I think, within reason, one should go out in adverse conditions on occasion to learn about them, but with able-bodied crew and back-up. We get tug-boat waves that can give some experience without the whole river being bad.

 

[TWFisher]

Re: storm while boating.

My first and only experience with the bow going over one wave and through the next was while passing a harbor tug. I was passing and looking back and side and before I knew it, there we went. An eye opening experience. Lots of warer in the boat! I've never been caught out in a storm though. What size boat were you in out there on the Sam Rayburn? I think the biggest crappie in Texas live in that lake.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: storm while boating.

Having a second bilge pump with separate through hull fitting would have saved the day also.

I got caught in 5-6' waves in a 16.5' closed bow SeaSwirl and we were taking on spray from cross winds. Our bilge hose clogged up and the bilge filled, killing the engine. After digging the hose clear (combination bug nest and tree seeds) we were able to pump it out and get the engine started.

My buddy wasn't scared,,, until he was monkeying around and jumped as hard as he could coming off the crest of a 6' wave, darn near wound up on top of the doghouse and into the drink (prop ) Then we took on a set of 3 - 6' waves and we both had enough, dropping into the trough the bow was inches from digging into the next wave. We were lucky to find a nice cove to tie up in and let the blow pass, 3-4 hours.

After this experience I added a second high volume bilge pump. Have even talked to bass guys in low slung go-fast rigs who have 3 bilge pumps...

 

[fire831]

Re: storm while boating.

Just added a second bilge pump to my bass boat this past winter.

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: storm while boating.

I always carry a sturdy pail, Do you have an anchor? that would save your prop and keep your bow into the wind, also use your shallow water drive to keep the prop out of harms way

 

[beezee28]

Re: storm while boating.

If i am not mistaken, we check the weather online before going onto the water, and it says sunny and maybe wind at 5 to 8 mph. The bad weather did not last very long and after the storm it was like nothing happens. The kink was at the loop near the outlet (like a water hose that collapse) and will keep a look out for this trouble spot the nex time I go out on the water. Might have to change out the hose. Took the prop to the shop and they welded it and grind it back to shape. Will have to look for a new prop next season.

 

[beezee28]

Re: storm while boating.

I have a maxum 18 ft runabout.

 

[Rdraidr]

Re: storm while boating.

Happened to me on a lake in southern New Mexico. Just a random scattered thunderstorm - not huge, but...saw it coming, got the two families off on the dock and sent them for the truck/trailer. Made one attempt to load but the cross winds were putting me at severe angles. Told them I'd see them on the other side of the lake just in time to turn and see a literal wall of spray and waves bearing down on me. Don't know how big the waves were, but I put my PFD on and kept the bow into the wind. I made it, although I was soaked. The game and fish was fighting it in a Boston Whaler. One boat did sink at the first ramp - bad stuff. Worst I thought was that I would have to flip the boat around, with the wind and beach it. Whew, got my money's worth that day - glad to have a tall sided Galaxie with a 350 V-8 that day!

 

[OldePharte]

Re: storm while boating.

I hear your concern. We also got caught in a storm that blew in from nowhere. Forecast was for a clear and sunny day.

We were close to 30 miles from home and saw the clouds racing in behind me. The nutsy thing was, that part of the lake had few decent/sheltered coves to head into. I managed to get around the bend and got close to a deep cove when the hail started. It started as pea-sized and worked its way up to quarter size as I found as a much shelter as I could, along with dozens of other boats. By now, the Bosslady was in the mini-cabin and I was deciding whether to set the anchor or take a beating and keep the bow into the wind. I took the beating for another 5 to 10 minutes. Too many other boats in the area and didn't want to chance of the anchor not holding. Then the storm passed, we dried out as much as possible, and decided to keep on cruising around the rest of the day.

The worst sunburns we ever had. The idiots that we were, didn't apply more sunblock after the storm and drenching.

 

[bowman316]

Re: storm while boating.

there is at least the threat for a thunder storm almost every day here in the summer, but they are usually isolated, and you can avoid them by moving the boat up or down river.

I am also glad i have a high transom and high gunwhales, to handle big waves.

If i had to, i am never far from the shore, just beach anywhere.
But i have never gotten rained on.