wild weather right now in broads

ApS · 06-09-2011, 05:26 PM

It was pretty bad.

In the distance, I couldn't see any rain, and the sun started shining. It was hazy in the distance, and I saw the storm approaching, but it seemed to be building—even as I watched!

Two powerboats left at a gallop, going the opposite way into the storm

passed by my sailboat just as I reached a neighbor's dock—only 50-feet from home!

I had to jump into shallow water to keep my boat from hitting the shore—and was not quite able to handle it against the waves and wind—until the mast broke off, the sail tore in half, and released much of the strain on me and the boat.

With wind-driven spray soaking me, I tied the boat to the "wrong side" of my dock, where the dock took the brunt of the waves for at least ½-hour. The fiberglass doesn't appear to be damaged—just need to repair sail and mast. (My first dismasting—ever—but I have spares

).

Fortunately, it was a comparatively "dry" storm—which allowed complete securing of the boat, but plenty of lightning. It was one roll of thunder that told me to turn around—after only a few minutes "out".

To hear approaching storms, I may need to tune-in—once again—to an AM station, as I've advised everyone else to do.

06-09-2011, 05:26 PM	#3
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 6,028 Thanks: 2,285 Thanked 789 Times in 564 Posts	You Had to BE There... It was pretty bad. In the distance, I couldn't see any rain, and the sun started shining. It was hazy in the distance, and I saw the storm approaching, but it seemed to be building—even as I watched! Two powerboats left at a gallop, going the opposite way into the storm passed by my sailboat just as I reached a neighbor's dock—only 50-feet from home! I had to jump into shallow water to keep my boat from hitting the shore—and was not quite able to handle it against the waves and wind—until the mast broke off, the sail tore in half, and released much of the strain on me and the boat. With wind-driven spray soaking me, I tied the boat to the "wrong side" of my dock, where the dock took the brunt of the waves for at least ½-hour. The fiberglass doesn't appear to be damaged—just need to repair sail and mast. (My first dismasting—ever—but I have spares ). Fortunately, it was a comparatively "dry" storm—which allowed complete securing of the boat, but plenty of lightning. It was one roll of thunder that told me to turn around—after only a few minutes "out". To hear approaching storms, I may need to tune-in—once again—to an AM station, as I've advised everyone else to do.