Thank God for my CSR friend

[ImpulseIII]

From Atlantic City we went to the "Secret Spot" for a few hours. SeaCure did a drive by to check the place out.......I think we have a new "secret spot resident". We heard the wx report and saw the sky start to look funky so we headed back to Dillons Creek with about 30 minutes to spare. Docked, put up the canvas, made Karen an G&T and got a Coors N/A for myself, went up to the clubhouse and watched the wind and rain. Did not have to wash off the salt spray !!!!!

Great weekend...Thanks Ron for putting this together!!!

 

[rcknecht]

From Atlantic City we went to the "Secret Spot" for a few hours. SeaCure did a drive by to check the place out.......I think we have a new "secret spot resident". We heard the wx report and saw the sky start to look funky so we headed back to Dillons Creek with about 30 minutes to spare. Docked, put up the canvas, made Karen an G&T and got a Coors N/A for myself, went up to the clubhouse and watched the wind and rain. Did not have to wash off the salt spray !!!!!

Great weekend...Thanks Ron for putting this together!!!

We love the "Secret Spot" don't tell too many people :smt101... If gets too crouded, we can make up a rumor that the Jellies are there...

 

[osd9]

I did the 'storm' run last year and I talked a bit about it here . After that adventure, we didn't want a repeat performance.

 

[Alex F]

Actually, we did discuss the weather...

I knew about the possible (30% chance) t-storm based on previos day reports. But I failed to check the most current updates. I wish you would have spread the word. In any event I had nothing to worry about as we had excellent ride back and were anchored in sheltered harbor at least 1.5hrs before the beast hit us. I just think that have I known about the strength of this beast I would make sure to prep for it much in advance to stay in pro-active mode rather than reacting and fixing things on the fly.

...Next year, I vote that we have a Captain's meeting :thumbsup: prior to our morning departure and discuss the weather, and who is traveling with whom... The party is not over until everyone is home safe and sound...

A quick note: if we descover that there's any kind warnings, alerts, etc. as result of the meeting, SPREAD THE WORD to keep others safe as well.

 

[Turtlesboat]

running in storms is just another day on the water for us. They hunt me down. I always think I can outrun them but end up just running into them.

 

[Alex F]

running in storms is just another day on the water for us. They hunt me down. I always think I can outrun them and end up just running into them.

When I get my 45+ footer I wont care either :lol:

Wow, glad everyone made it through relatively ok, we were just off of Sandy Hook when it hit. I was watching the radar maps and listening to the weather forcasts, I think that was making me more nervous than the actual storm. We just kept motoring along, i was amazed how well the boat handled the storm, Other than the bow sunpad blowing loose, we did fine....

Greg,
I'm really glad to hear this kind of report. Those large Sea Rays are like small ships. It's a great feeling when you're able to say that we got hit with a storm, but it was just another bumpy ride.

 

[rondds]

Frank, that's funny b/c I was just going to ask you if you did indeed anchor out somewhere (you had mentioned it was in your plans). Sitting on dry land is the best way to watch these storms. I was in my car when it hit the Bronx and in my house when it hit Monmouth County - had to rethink my plans for cutting the grass. Too damn muggy for that anyway!

 

[Alex F]

....I was 15 and solo sailing a daysailer and got caught in a storm like that... and was not wearing a life jacket... it blew off the boat along with everything else. Was I stupid? Probably... I'm lucky I lived through that and you all probably noticed that our family wears life jackets 100% of the time even on a 480 DB.....

Gary,

I was looking for similar PFDs you have, but I could see that they're TYPE II. Is this what you have or did you find TYPE I?

Any recommendations for not very expensive version?

 

[Vince_nj1]

The one time I was stuck in a similar situation, many capsized boats on the bay and a tiny sailboat race that was caught in the mess. Ambulances along the shoreline - not a pretty site. 60mph winds through Bricktown.

Did that happen around 1990? If so, I was out in that on my 260. I got stuck in the Manasquan inlet waiting for the train bridge to open. When the bridge opened I took off along with every other boat. The wind nearly blew me into in the Rt 70 bridge as I went under it. I went through the Point Pleasant Canal on plane. I slowed down by the police station and they waved me to go faster. I saw a 60 foot sport fisher sunk in its slip in Bayhead. Another fun day on the water..

 

[rondds]

Vince
That was in 2003 - or 2002 (only two summers I had that boat). Probably a Wednesday b/c it was not on a weekend and back then I was off on Wednesdays. Ah crap, I can't remember squat anymore!:smt013

 

[fc3]

A few people asked what the "right" thing to do in such a situation. I'm not going to debate the actions performed. That's pointless. Question asked. Question answered. It's up to each to gather, process and act upon the data.

Actually, we did discuss the weather.

My original plans were to stay in AC till early afternoon. After checking on the weather reports and seeing severe storm warnings from the impending cold front coming in, I changed my plans, left early and went straight home.

I watched the storm from my lounge chair in the sunroom....all comfy and dry.

Same, except we watched the storm though the windshield of the Navigator. Weather was certainly a topic. I'm a strong believer in the 7 Ps.

running in storms is just another day on the water for us. They hunt me down. I always think I can outrun them but end up just running into them.

If you can't be docked during a storm, I think the next best thing is to have the engines turning and to be underway. If visibility is poor even with the radar, then underway should be no more than station keeping using engine power.

 

[rcknecht]

I'm a strong believer in the 7 Ps.

Frank, totally agress with the 7 Ps... I also like to learn from my mistakes, and better yet the mistakes of others... I did not hear the story of how you ran a ground on your way down to AC... I would like to know how that happened so I can avoid making the same mistake... :huh:

 

[Jack F]

Rod, Alex... WOW pretty wild, glad everything worked out and no one was hurt.

 

[fc3]

Tide was all the way out and the channels were silted. Dom had already told us to expect some shallow areas in that stretch, so we were watching the depth finder closely. When the water started to get shallow, we came off plane and were traveling at idle speed. The prop tips touched bottom. No damage since the bottom is pretty soft, speed was slow and RPMs were idle setting. Thanks to Dom and Bobby, we were prepared and ready to take action at the first indication of a potential problem.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[Alex F]

....
If you can't be docked during a storm, I think the next best thing is to have the engines turning and to be underway. If visibility is poor even with the radar, then underway should be no more than station keeping using engine power.

So far I haven't heard a single advantage when being underway is better than being anchored in sheltered water. Can you explain?

 

[Turtlesboat]

At least for me, you have control of the boat. It could be proactive or reactive. As the storm approaches or hits, I head into the deepest, furthest from traffic and shore, that I can safely get to. But not so far that help would take awhile. turn my bow into the wind and maintain a speed that allows me to stay in control of the boat. I watch the burgee for wind changes. I'm not worried if my anchor will hold or if others will hold, I've just got my eye on the gps and radar while keeping lookout. As the winds pickup or recede, I can adjust my throttles accordingly. Now if I can jump into a harbor and grab a mooring ball, I will. but if I can't, I feel more comfortable being away from land and boats when the poo hits the fan. anchored, you have to deal with shallow water, other boats, dragging, and less maneuverability. If things don't hold up, you don't have many options, you just hope for the best.

 

[Alex F]

At least for me, you have control of the boat. It could be proactive or reactive. As the storm approaches or hits, I head into the deepest, furthest from traffic and shore, that I can safely get to. But not so far that help would take awhile.

I'm guessing and hoping that you're not suggesting an ocean when you say deeper water.

At least for me, you have control of the boat. It could be proactive or reactive...... turn my bow into the wind and maintain a speed that allows me to stay in control of the boat. I watch the burgee for wind changes. I'm not worried if my anchor will hold or if others will hold, I've just got my eye on the gps and radar while keeping lookout. As the winds pickup or recede, I can adjust my throttles accordingly.

So for now the biggest advantage is to control the boat and being in deeper water you're protected from grounding.

...Now if I can jump into a harbor and grab a mooring ball, I will....

Well, this is where your actions look like conflicting, b/c being on a mooring ball doesn't guaranty you being in control or being any different than anchored. The way I see it mooring ball or anchor are pretty much the same things as all they do is provide holding your boat in a position in a sheltered water.

....anchored, you have to deal with shallow water, other boats, dragging, and less maneuverability.

I don't see a difference between being anchored and a mooring ball. I only say this b/c I will never forget stories I read from people dragging with a mooring ball on the Block Island. It's scary to hear that those balls are placed by a small boat dragging them to desired position. I call this a "false confidence". A experience boaters drop their anchor there when they grab a mooring ball.

... If things don't hold up, you don't have many options, you just hope for the best.

C'mon Mike, there are always options and usually more than one. For example, you have your engines running and have all control you want. So that leaves only one problem others dragging in to you. However, my argument on this is that I prefer to deal with situation of a slow dragging boat coming at me rather than a idiot running in to me at cruising speed (remember what Vince experienced when he was trolling?). In addition, even while at anchor you can use your engines to move your boat to avoid the collision with a dragging boat.

 

[Turtlesboat]

i'm not going to argue with you over what I feel comfortable with. You anchor, I head out. As long as no one gets hurt or their boat damaged, it's all good.

 

[Alex F]

Mike,

Please don't get me wrong. I'm trying to learn things that I don't know. Granted, we're all different and have different preferences, but in some situations there're common ways that should apply to majority.

I would say that the biggest and #1 reason I prefer to stay anchored in sheltered water is due to the fact that the biggest thread during a t-storms is the lightning. The way to minimize the risk of getting hit is to turn everything OFF (that includes the engines), lower the antenna(s) and try to be not the highest point from the ground or water level. So, when I'm anchored in the sheltered water I'm really hoping that the lightning will hit many other higher objects (trees, towers, telephone poles, anything high in surrounding marinas, etc.) insted of choosing my boat. BTW, I had suggested and Rod did lowered his VHF antenna during the storm.

I think we need another thread do have a nice debate on this very important topic.

 

[rcknecht]

I think a lot of what you "should do" has to do with the waters you operate in... The LI sound is deep and wide... I would stay out there... The Barnegat is in shallow and full of yahoos... Its a great discussion, and hopefully it will help others in the future. It is a good idea to think about the "what ifs" before you get in the position to make the choices in an emergency... When I started this thread, :smt024 my intent was to thank my friend Alex publically:smt038, for the great job he and his wife did under pressure... There is nothing like the pressure to see what kind of boater you are :wow:... And as I said in the first post, I would follow Alex anywhere... Sure we could have done things differently, but I could not imagine a better person to be rafted up with when a storm hits...:smt038:smt038:smt038