Here's a new variation on an old theme...

[Winnipesaukee Divers]

My dive buddy Paul and I and our wives decided to do a recon dive over at the anchorage on the east side of Mark Island yesterday after which we would do some Kayaking around the area.

The dive went fine and we got our fill of anchors, lines, swim masks, sunglasses and what not. When we surfaced back at our boat we noticed we had been joined by about 6 or 8 more boats. Once be were back on board and in the process of stowing our gear and getting out the grill. One the men up the line of boats hollered, "There is a fierce storm coming in with hurricane force winds run for you life." Well now, I want to tell you it was like someone had hollered "Fire" in a department store... I've never seem such a mad exodus.... they yank up those anchors and sped out of the cove at full speed. The fellow on shore made his way over to where we were anchored and shouted, "didn't you hear the storm warnings? You'd better get a move on." I replied "Thanks" and continued to cook my well-earned burgers.

While we dining in the cockpit under the Bimini the rains came and barely wet the deck. Before we finished the meal the sun came out again and sky cleared. After we clean up and got things stowed we set sail in our "Yaks" and made the tour around Mink Island. A good time was had by all, I even had to make a stop for a swim break.

Later on that afternoon while I was cleaning the swim mask I had found earlier, man from the shore motored over by me on his way home and said "Honest, I thought it was going to storm" I replied back, "Thanks for the warring"

The way I look at it.... If such a bad storm was coming the last place I want to be is out in the middle of the broads. I was safety anchored on the lee side of the Island with all the comforts of home. There is no point trying to out run something that furious and that fast.

But it sure cleared that anchorage in a big hurry....

[jrc]

You know, almost the exact thing happened to me on Sunday afternoon. I was docked in Meredith, when someone yelled that there was a tornado warning. Every one started to untie and take off down the lake. A dozen boats left in less than five minutes. But I was thinking that tied up to a secure public dock was the safest place to be. I waited it out until after the big black clouds went by and the sprinkles let up.

[Rose]

But I was thinking that tied up to a secure public dock was the safest place to be.

But not if you stayed on the boat. If I were docked in Meredith and heard there was a tornado warning, I'd head to Church Landing or one of the other sturdy buildings near the docks.

[Coastal Laker]

Now I know how to clear out my favorite spot!
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_1_9.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001)
Tow Boat US came by where we were anchored and warned us of the approaching weather. I listened to my weather radio which only said thunderstorms storms were moving north from Concord, not specific enough for me to leave, I was in a nice cove. I set out my storm anchor just in case. Rain came, but no storm. None of the five boats in the cove with me moved either. It seems the warning didn't clear that prime location.

[jrc]

Rose is right. If I really believed a tornado was coming I would have made a run for a large sturdy building. But it would be easier to do that from the dock than from the middle of the bay. But the weather radio only said thunderstorms, so I stayed on the boat.

[SIKSUKR]

Now I know how to clear out my favorite spot!
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_1_9.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001)
Tow Boat US came by where we were anchored and warned us of the approaching weather. I listened to my weather radio which only said thunderstorms storms were moving north from Concord, not specific enough for me to leave, I was in a nice cove. I set out my storm anchor just in case. Rain came, but no storm. None of the five boats in the cove with me moved either. It seems the warning didn't clear that prime location.
Hey Coastal Laker,Was that you we were rafting with on the east side of Timber?We were five wide in a cove when Towboat US came by and asked us if we had heard about the weather coming this way.None of us left either.We waited out the 1/2 hour rain and then it cleared up to be beautifull!We had a Baja,a Formula and my waverunner.Maybe that was you next to us? :confused: SS

[madrasahs]

I was safety anchored on the lee side of the Island with all the comforts of home.

What does a lee shore mean to a tornado? Something removed the 25-foot tops of two of my big hemlocks and dropped them 75 feet away!

Tow Boat US came by where we were anchored and warned us of the approaching weather.

What WERE they thinking? :confused:

[Winnipesaukee Divers]

Safely anchored, means just that: I have a 45lb anchor with 20' heavy-duty chain and 150' of 5/8" braided nylon rode; it was well set and personally check by me. Even if we had dragged I was there to reposition it, if needed.

Comparing the mast on my boat that is: 8" X 4" X 61' with a tapered top to a hemlock tree with all the foliage at the top is really stretching it a bit, don't you think?

I fail to see your point here.... My top speed is just 10 kts, my homeport is 10 miles away, I have the safety of my ship and crew at stake here. I am a certified Captain with years of experience in offshore sailing. What would you have had me do differently?

[madrasahs]

The lee side counts big in, say, Johnson's Cove. But here's an account that had them dragging anchors 200 yards there. (A 28-footer and a 41-footer): "We were in anchored in Johnson cove that day..."
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/oldforum/archive1.cgi?noframes;read=62528

It turned out that the storm had F2 imbedded tornadoes, but even the 2nd mildest (F2) still flattened acres of forest near Winnipesaukee. Bad as it was, my hemlocks survived that July 6th, 1999 at 4:28PM assault just fine.

A tornado's real hazard is flying debris -- like my hemlock sections -- which could have had an argument with your body if you were close to shore.

Once a tornado crosses into water, it becomes its milder form -- a waterspout. In tropical waters, sometimes you see several "nearly-waterspouts" at one time. I usually skirt waterspouts when sailing offshore, but was caught in a waterspout when it came ashore -- at a beach. I alerted the lifeguard there who waved off my concern, so I hid behind a concrete block building, and got sand-blasted and "foam-blasted" for my trouble.

Most remaining on the beach were soaked, but uninjured. Most were "sand-burned" but were sore and temporarily blinded getting the sand out of their eyes, nose, and ears. It was also hard to breathe during that encounter. The lifeguard wasn't in sight. (But the only debris were coolers and umbrellas, fortunately).

The weather is clearly getting more violent worldwide! (Something to do with the Southern Ocean Oscillation") I have never seen such "modern" weather in my 50 years at the same Winnipesaukee spot.

If there's violent weather warnings -- or if it gets dark, cold, and still -- I side with those who seek shelter. Nowadays.

[Winnipesaukee Divers]

Yes, that was me that cruised by your place yesterday... I see your point now... I sure wouldn't want to meet up with the tops of your hemlocks in a storm either. But my point still stands that: I'd rather take my chances anchored near the lee shore than to be totally unprotected out in the open waters.

I would have stopped to greet you personally, but I didn't know the depth at your docks or how you receive unannounced visitors... My wife is a stickler for rules and proper etiquette. Maybe if you extend an open invitation she’ll let me stop next time.

[madrasahs]

"...I'd rather take my chances anchored near the lee shore than to be totally unprotected out in the open waters."

Whatever floats your boat, hee :) hee.
.

"...I see your point now...I sure wouldn't want to meet up with the tops of your hemlocks in a storm either."

Always nice to have an eye-witness. Some on this forum might think I exaggerate. :(

I don't know what made me think your boat was a wood ketch -- maybe the 61-foot mast? (Nice high-aspect-ratio for your superb boat, though).

There's seven feet of water across the end there at present and I had just greeted two old boating friends -- unannounced -- just before you passed by. (I was just waiting for a little less wind for some less-wet sailing).

Please consider the invitation extended -- and open. :)