Riding Out the Storm
In the event you can’t outrun the storm and get out of its path, it’s time to batten down, don life jackets, and prepare for a ride. Seas can increase with amazing speed, and the danger factor multiplies equally fast.
- Keep the boat in gear and headed into the seas at an angle of five to ten degrees to the wind. Heading directly into big, steep waves will tend to bury the bow into the face of the next wave. A slight angle allows the boat to roll slightly, keeping the bow out of the water on the next wave. Too much angle will cause the boat to “breech” and possibly roll over.
- Use only enough engine power to safely mount and ride over the oncoming waves. At this point the engine is the only tool that can help you accomplish boat positioning, and positioning is the only pertinent issue. Once again, your earlier fuel decisions play a major role.
- Rain and water over the bow can fill a boat faster than most people envision. A good bilge pump is a necessity; make sure it works and that you use it as you ride out the storm.
- Anchoring becomes a choice only when your engine power is either dead or insufficient to keep your boat positioned. Without power, the boat will turn sideways to the wind in a breech. The very next thing that will happen is an overturned vessel with people in the water.
- Be prepared to get an anchor over quickly, but only as a last choice. The need for a long anchor line should be obvious. The anchor will, as it goes down, act as a drag and possibly pull the bow of the boat back into the wind. As it reaches bottom, feed out as much rode as possible and tie the line off on a bow cleat. Now, sit tight, keep the bilge pumps running and ride out the storm.
Plan Ahead to Avoid Disaster
Riding out a storm in a small vessel is a harrowing experience. The amazing thing is that with few exceptions, there is no need to go through that experience. Proper planning and preparation will take care of the circumstances before they become an issue.
- Check the weather reports. We call the forecasters “weather guessers” at times, but overall, they are pretty accurate, particularly regarding afternoon thunderstorms. Plan your trip’s conclusion to avoid the storms.
- If storms build while you are offshore, make a decision early to either head in or run out of the storm’s way. Staying to catch that last fish will needlessly get you in big trouble. The fish will be there another day – make sure you are there with them!
- Most of all, use common sense. That common sense tells us to be prepared even before we head out – and that means following the five rules we have already listed.
Bottom Line
Should we fear the water? No – but we need to have a whole lot of respect for the power that a storm can generate on that water. And, we need to be prepared to address that power.
