|
|
Posts: 3926
| With this post I ask the question,
how do you deal with getting caught out in big wind, so big the lake is covered with rollers?
"Rollers" to me are big, deep waves that create long lines of whitecaps.
If you find your boat is less than adequate and you have no choice but to get safe, what do you do?
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 619
| How big are the waves and how big is the boat? Are they slow rollin spread out waves or the close together high speed waves....i would say a metro lake on the weekend is the worst waves to ever fish in, they come from every direction and on top of that they come with floating bogs of weeds |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1906
Location: Oconto Falls, WI | Ranger - 5/3/2012 8:00 PM
With this post I ask the question,
how do you deal with getting caught out in big wind, so big the lake is covered with rollers?
"Rollers" to me are big, deep waves that create long lines of whitecaps.
If you find your boat is less than adequate and you have no choice but to get safe, what do you do?
Hope there is someone you know on the lake to help you load the now swamped boat at the landing. 
If you are still running the same boat you were 8-ish years ago I would pray for the best, and hope you have your lucky rabbits foot with! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3926
| Ah Travis, I did not write the above post without you and your brother in mind. Some night, eh? You guys saved my butt.
I do still have that same small but proud 14' boat but now also have a 16' Lund. So I can get in twice as much trouble, I suppose.
Note - last time I got in trouble loading out my 14' boat was halfway up the trailer (with tall guide posts) when it was hit with a big wave from the side. Right exactly when the winch handle broke. That wave lifted the whole deal, trailer and boat, and it ALL almost flipped. I jumped to hang on the side of the boat as it floated up in the air and then slammed back down. Slow motion, except when it came down. Real late, very dark, wind howling and no one around. Decision time. Backed the trailer in so deep water was washing into the rear of the Durango, I jumped out into the water, pulled the boat up to the trailer nose and just clipped on the emergency hook then back like a rabbit into the truck and pulled da boat out. Soaked and shaking at the time but in hindsight it was some of the best fun of the season.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 3926
| Rollin - I mean that the waves are bigger than what the boat is able to handle. You either get home, somewhere safe, or swamped.
Ok, in my little boat I can only do two "safe" things when in rollers. We're talking maybe 30mph wind. Quarter into them or surf with them. Actually a combo of both gets me home.
Going straight into the waves is bad; the boat is slammed over and over as it moves forward, hitting those rollers is just too much. I get no distance and the bow is always ready to throw to one side or the other. Don't forget big wind is slamming the little boat as it lifts. If that happens, the boat swings, I've lost control and I have to power into the turn and accerate, just exactly like a surfer.
Going straight with waves works only if you have the boat power and personal balls to surf. Go too slow and a following wave will come over the transome. Go too fast and the bow will plow into a wave, stall the boat for a moment, and a wave will come over the transome. With a light touch and big power-weight ration surfing rollers at night is better than a carnival ride. It will get you to the landing, anyway, and you'll be swamped on shore near your truck. Success.
Quartering away from rollers, unless your boat is leaping along the wave tops, is a killer. Eventually the boat will be hit from the back, then the side and the boat will turn parellel to the waves and my boat, anyway, will flip.
So safe port for me, when I don't have another choice, is taking turns quartering into the wind then surfing straight on top of the waves with the wind.
So, what do you do? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3512
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
Much of that is dependent on the direction I have to go and how bad the conditions are.
If I needed to get off the water in the safest manner possible, I would go into the waves to the lee side of an island or shore, given it is the nearest point of relief. I will usually trim up a little and go slow to let the bow block some of the wave and let the main part of the boat take the wave, but at other times depending on how bad the conditions are, I might be able to trim down to let the bow cut the wave more, making a smoother ride. It all depends on the condition as to what I do.
If I had to go cross wind, It'd be slow and probably at a minimum.. quartering into the waves. It would be wet too. I'd basically slide sideways with the bow in the wind making slow movements in the direction I need to go...again how much depends on how bad the conditions are.
Last option (unless it is the closest point to shelter and could get to the lee side of a point or shoreline), would be with the waves. Smoothest ride, but toughest to work as spearing a wave is possible and swamping from the rear being the most probable out of all directions of travel. Lots of throttle work and a bit of trim up so the bow cannot get below the crest of the wave in front of you. It's tough because you slide off of one wave (like a surf boarder) but hit the next wave pretty hard. If bow is down...water potentially over the front, a quick slow-down of the boat because of the hit, and if the wave behind crests, you have a boat full of water and swamped you be.
I've had my 17 footer in what I would say 6 footers from crest to valley) on Chequamegon Bay in the fall with a north wind and had to go with the wind to dock. At one point my buddy in the back was looking up at the following waves...not the most secure feeling, but we made it off without too much trouble and we stayed dry. Just not all that much fun for me as I was working my butt off on working the waves. I never felt unsafe, but it was not the most fun experience I've had.
If I had to move down wind and cross wind as well, and I'm having a good day on the water, I can move with the trough. kinda fun as you are quartering away , but tough to maintain. It's like a controlled surf, as the bow is hitting the front of the trough, and the stern is riding the following trough. speed and steering being key...and if you are not paying attention, you can get turned and swamped in a heartbeat.
No matter what, in some directions you can expect to take on a bunch of water, which means having a bilge pump running constantly. My father had a circuit breaker trip on his in 4 -5 foot waves traveling cross wind, loaded down coming off of a camp 17 miles from where we put in. Slow going, and low in the water by the time he was to a place where waves were no longer an issue.
Steve
Edited by VMS 5/3/2012 9:53 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 121
Location: Plymouth IA | Last May was with a buddy fishin a walleye tourney i was driving his boat 3500 acre lake. Wind came up and before we knew it 35mph with gusts to 55 recorded at the airport. 17 foot boat. I was going 3/4 with the wind when it picked up buddy reeled in the lures. Just stayed with it and saw every fourth wave or so was a lot smaller, so made a turn on a smaller wave before we ran out of lake and swamped like the big lund pro v in front of us did. Did the 3/4 into the waves powering up the wave and slow on the down wave, changing direction every other smaller wave. My arms were so weak from fighting the waves we switched drivers before we got to the sheltered landing. After waiting for someone to move the trailer to the landing, we learned that a 20 foot boat flipped out there that day.
On more than one occasion I have noticed that when it gets really windy there will be that rhythmic repeat of a smaller wave. I know given the chance i want be angled into the waves not running with them. |
|
| |
|
| Pray. I had this happen the first year I had a boat--a 14 foot semi-V with a 9.9 hp. motor. Very light. I was on Black Lake, NY, in October. I launched O.K. and with the wind at my back had no trouble going down and across the lake. But coming back was another matter. I could not control the boat against the wind current; and decided to cut my way across the lake and go back to the launch in the very shallow water near shore. That is the only thing you can do. The current is less in toward shore. I prayed the whole way across, but I made it back. Bigger, heavier boats were fine. But I was staring straight into the face of disaster. Really, don't challenge it. If the water looks too rough for the boat you have, don't go out. Find calmer water. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | If you get the right situation you can run a trough of a wave for quite a distance. Sure, you'll zig zag around a bit but it will get you back if the win is perpendicular to the direction you want to go. You can usually crawl up the back of a wave and surf it for a while too.
Ran some 6 footers on Wabigoon 2 years ago. The wind howled for 3 days straight. 70 degree water temps dropped into the mid 50s. |
|
| |
|
Location: SE Wisconsin | Ranger - 5/3/2012 8:53 PM Ah Travis, I did not write the above post without you and your brother in mind. Some night, eh? You guys saved my butt. I do still have that same small but proud 14' boat but now also have a 16' Lund. So I can get in twice as much trouble, I suppose. Note - last time I got in trouble loading out my 14' boat was halfway up the trailer (with tall guide posts) when it was hit with a big wave from the side. Right exactly when the winch handle broke. That wave lifted the whole deal, trailer and boat, and it ALL almost flipped. I jumped to hang on the side of the boat as it floated up in the air and then slammed back down. Slow motion, except when it came down. Real late, very dark, wind howling and no one around. Decision time. Backed the trailer in so deep water was washing into the rear of the Durango, I jumped out into the water, pulled the boat up to the trailer nose and just clipped on the emergency hook then back like a rabbit into the truck and pulled da boat out. Soaked and shaking at the time but in hindsight it was some of the best fun of the season. Now that's a hell of a story! |
|
| |
|
Location: SE Wisconsin | I've got to say, reading some of these posts puts butterflies in my gut and makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck.. I've been in some scary situations on the water, instances I can tell the story to now but don't exactly want to relive. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | Pointerpride102 - 5/4/2012 9:18 AM
If you get the right situation you can run a trough of a wave for quite a distance. Sure, you'll zig zag around a bit but it will get you back if the win is perpendicular to the direction you want to go. You can usually crawl up the back of a wave and surf it for a while too.
Ran some 6 footers on Wabigoon 2 years ago. The wind howled for 3 days straight. 70 degree water temps dropped into the mid 50s.
I got stuck in that dirty bowl of a lake a few years back too in the wrong kind of boat on the wrong side of the lake...that was not fun |
|
| |
|
Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Musky Brian - 5/4/2012 9:36 AM
Pointerpride102 - 5/4/2012 9:18 AM
If you get the right situation you can run a trough of a wave for quite a distance. Sure, you'll zig zag around a bit but it will get you back if the win is perpendicular to the direction you want to go. You can usually crawl up the back of a wave and surf it for a while too.
Ran some 6 footers on Wabigoon 2 years ago. The wind howled for 3 days straight. 70 degree water temps dropped into the mid 50s.
I got stuck in that dirty bowl of a lake a few years back too in the wrong kind of boat on the wrong side of the lake...that was not fun
I actually enjoy running very rough waters. It is challenging and exciting. Definitely run with the life jackets on though! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1906
Location: Oconto Falls, WI | Pointerpride102 - 5/4/2012 11:19 AM
I actually enjoy running very rough waters. It is challenging and exciting. Definitely run with the life jackets on though!
Then you must not be running very rough water!
I could honestly say I was quite frightened for Ranger back in the day, and wish I would have handled the situation differently. I should have gone out and gotten him as I had a larger boat. It is quite something to see his bow light apear, and then disapear for a bit as he dipped down into the next wave as this was happening under darkness. We kept a close eye on him and were relieved when he got to the landing. Life jacket or not there are just some conditions you are better off not making a run, and heading for safety even if it means not getting to the landing. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | CiscoKid - 5/4/2012 10:47 AM
Pointerpride102 - 5/4/2012 11:19 AM
I actually enjoy running very rough waters. It is challenging and exciting. Definitely run with the life jackets on though!
Then you must not be running very rough water!
I could honestly say I was quite frightened for Ranger back in the day, and wish I would have handled the situation differently. I should have gone out and gotten him as I had a larger boat. It is quite something to see his bow light apear, and then disapear for a bit as he dipped down into the next wave as this was happening under darkness. We kept a close eye on him and were relieved when he got to the landing. Life jacket or not there are just some conditions you are better off not making a run, and heading for safety even if it means not getting to the landing.
Does Lake Superior in sustained 30 mph winds count? The vessel was a tad larger than 14 foot though.
I'd love to run in the Bering Sea in 30-40 footers. To me, that would be exciting. Risk of death? Sure, but we're all going to die some day. It may not be your cup of tea. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 622
Location: Seymour, WI | My first boat was a 14' mirro with a 15 hp Johnson. I used to take spring fishing trip to LVD every yr by myself. One yr the wind was howling and I fished all the way across the lake going with the wind. The wind kept getting stonger as the day went on. When it was time to head back to the west shore where I was camped, I knew it was going to be a long trip, but didn't realize how bad it was until I was past the point where I could go back or even change directions. I could only go straight into the wind. If I tried quartering at all the wind would've swamped me in a second. With each wave that I hit, the bow of the boat would get flipped up and then crash down. Not sure how long it took me to get across the lake, but it felt like hours. I was gripping the throttle so hard I'm surprised i didn't crush it, praying the little motor would keep running all the way across the lake.
Grass, |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3926
| If you do make it to shore and are dealing with big waves there's only one way I know to save your butt and your stuff.
As you approach the landing/shore, like with 10 feet or so, power like crazy forward and turn the boat sideways to the wind. Sideways. Get ready to get hit hard. In your first second pull up your motor and in the next second jump out of the boat such that the boat is between you and land. Grab the boat side and hold freakin on, lift when you need to and pull it down when you need to. The boat will be washed to shore and because you are on the lake-side of the boat you will not be crushed by the boat as it wallows to shore.
If you jump out on the wrong side of the boat, between the boat and shore, the boat will rock and roll right over yer butt.
Good advice. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 81
| This happen to me on Georgian Bay(North of Parry Sound) 8 years ago in a rental 16ft semiV with a 15hp.
I had alot experience on the bay(20years fishing ) and knew the area I was in very well. Over the years, my old man and some of the old salts in the area always told me to never go into the waves or across them as you will get swamped in a small boat. Instead, ride with them and surf them. This advice probably saved me! There was a 2 mile section of open water I had to cross to get to a group of barrier island (about 6miles from mainland) where the fishing was the best. I was by myself on a 10 day soul searching/camping trip and planned to camp on the islands for 4 days( so I didn't have to cross the open channel) and then camp closer to the mainland on the remainder of the trip. I was full of gear(generator,tent, tackle, food, etc) and told a local man where I was going to be and if I didn't return by Wed. afternoon to come looking for me.
Tuesday afternoon the wind started blow and I wasn't aware of the massive storms coming that night(No cell service and no weather updates). In the middle of the night I started dreaming a train was coming and then awoke and still heard the train. However, it was impossible for me to hear a train 6 miles out on the Bay!!!!!!! Soon after that trees started snapping and my screened gazebo that stood over my tent flew away!!!! I would like to say I keep my cool but didn't! I scrambled out of my tent and layed in a creavase in the rocks! I stayed there all night , watching lightning and stuff was flying everywhere! It lasted for a few hours and then happened again a few hours later. At daylight I checked to make sure I had a boat and it was pushed up on shore, completely out of the water! I pushed it back in and just looked out across the small bay, into the open channel I had to cross, and saw extremely large waves! They were coming right up the 2mile wide open channel, which meant I would be going right into them!!!!! I knew I couldn't make it. As I picked up my stuff from the night before the skies started clearing(post front?). I thought the winds will change(currently coming out of the south) and when that happened I would have a short window to ride the waves and cross the open channel. I had the boat packed with all the gear and ready to go and now just had to wait! As I awoke from a nap, I looked out and everything seemed calm(could not see any waves). I put my life jacket on and said a prayer and went for it! As, I got out into the channel I soon realized the waves were still very large, but couldn't turn around or one would have swamped me. The waves were so large that when I was in the trough I couldn't see anything but walls of water around me! I was petrified but there was no turning back! I would have to gun the motor going down the wave so the white cap wouldn't get me from the back and slow as I crested the wave so I didn't jump off it! I prayed the motor didn't stall! To make matters worse, I took a look back and notice the sky was black and it was headed right for me!!!
It seemed to take forever but made it across just as the storm caught up to me! More, downpours, lighting and wind! I actually missed the opening between the islands since I was riding the waves, but was able to get to the other side and then got behind some islands out of the wind and took cover in some more rocks! I waited there until it cleared a few hours later. I was within the inner islands and then went straight back to the locals house where he was expecting me!
He invited me in and told me a tornado touched down just south of our location last night and another was spotted. There was heavy damage up and down the coast. He also, said as he watched the wind change that day (the time I crossed the channel), he said to himself " if you are go to get back nows the time while the wind was changing!" He let me stay with him the remainder of my trip!!! On the last day of my trip I saw a large musky 5 min from his cabin! Guess I didn't need to go across the Bay! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3926
| Great spooky stories.
Cisco, I've never considered that you were responsible for my welfare that nite. After a certain point I was at the mercy of the wind and a 15hp Merc!
Sam, jerking the boat out was really half the story. How can anyone drive home with 1/3 of the boat hanging off the trailer? Which is what I ended up with when using the safety chain.
Soooo....I got the boat on the trailer using a lag bolt and a half can of WD-40. Anyone hauling a 40 year old boat and trailer learns to carry tools and hardware like lag bolts. I "installed" the lag bolt to replace the handle then slowly pulled the rig around the access until gravity was in my favor. Then hosed down the carpeted bunks and boat bottom with WD-40. Crank the new handle until everything is as tight as can be then go to the back of the (small) boat and shake and shove the boat forward. Back to the handle, crank it down and then back to the nice try end of the boat. Within a few minutes I had the bow to the front of the trailer and could haul away safely. Worked so well I felt like one of those guys from Myth Busters.
(Broke Winch Handle 1.JPG)
Attachments
----------------
 Broke Winch Handle 1.JPG (39KB - 172 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1220
| The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they called 'Gitche Gumee'
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy
With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more
Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty.
That big ship and true was a bone to be chewed
When the gales of November came early.
|
|
| |
|
| I know this is'nt a direct answer as far as navigating but I would definatly put a bilge pump in your boat it you don't have one. That way your able to get any water that comes into your boat out quickly while leaving you free to navigate the rough waters. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1041
| About ten years ago I was out on Pewaukee in my 14 foot Lund with a 20 horse Merc. Mu buddy and I were fishing right out in front of Smokeys Muskie shop and the water was like glass. Then we saw dark clouds moving in from the east (strange) and soon we saw little ripples starting on the east end and approaching us. By the time they got to us, they were two foot rollers and it was time to go.
I took my shoes off and used the laces to tie my rods and tackle boxes to the boat. My buddy asked what I was doing and I told him I was preparing to swim and save my gear cuz the boat was probably going to flip.
I cranked the engine over but was turned sideways with the wind and couldn't turn into it. I basically hit the gas on the "down" wave and moved the bow as far into the waves as I could to keep from getting swamped. We couldn't get to the launch, but that tactic was keeping us from getting swamped. Soon the wind pushed us down to Rocky Point where we found a little wind break and could right the boat and turn it into the wind. Took us about an hour to get back to Smokeys, but we got back safe and sound.
#1 rule. Don't panic. #2 rule, have a plan. #3 rule, execute the plan.
Up in Canada I've been caught in some big winds in those camp boats. Not fun. Just take her slow and realize that the goal is to get home safely and not quickly. Jack Daniels will still be there if you get home late....  |
|
| |
