05/11/2007 07:20:01 AM
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RadioWaves
Junior Member
Posts: 13
Joined: 02/13/2007
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Hello all,
I purchased a 14x64 aluminum hull this winter and plan on taking it
out on Kentucky lake a lot this year. My question is, What do you
all do when you are caught by surprise by a pop up (but violent)
storm. Kentucky Lake is famous for these and in a ski boat you can
usually make it back to the dock but a houseboat - no way. Assuming
I am in a partially protected cove, am i better off anchoring with
2 (bow and stern) or 2 (bow only) or just beaching the boat?
-------------------------
1989 14x64 Sumerset "SOLD"
1999 16x80 Fantasy
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05/11/2007 09:11:02 AM
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OLD HOUSEBOATER
Super moderator
Posts: 1520
Joined: 10/18/2002
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Bow only with power on in case the anchor starts to drag. Be careful that you don't over ride anchor.
Anchoring bow and stern can put you sideways to the storm and sink you.
Beaching can flood you over the stern.
-------------------------
OLD HOUSEBOATER
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05/11/2007 09:47:04 AM
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BananaTom
Admiral
Posts: 968
Joined: 12/05/2006
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I have been caught in small popup storms / squals before. I do not anchor, I motor into the wind and rain for the duration, after finding a cove or a shore line to hide behind to help protect. These can challenging and fun. Never in Kentucky lake, down around the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
You can be wet with sweat or be wet with rain.
Rain is cooler.
-------------------------
Banana Tom
Edited: 05/11/2007 at 09:48:06 AM by BananaTom
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05/11/2007 11:05:15 AM
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BrokerDave
Member
Posts: 154
Joined: 08/15/2006
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Been there during some bad ones. KY lake can make some big waves. I
would make sure you have more than adequate bilge pumping power
before going out.
-------------------------
Boatless at the moment
www.spboatsales.com
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05/11/2007 11:17:21 AM
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alreadygone
Admiral
Posts: 792
Joined: 02/07/2004
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Originally posted by: BananaTom
I have been caught in small popup storms / squals before. I do not anchor, I motor into the wind and rain for the duration, after finding a cove or a shore line to hide behind to help protect.
Best plan possible.
Bob
-------------------------
I carry a gun because it's too tiring carrying a cop.
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05/11/2007 01:28:23 PM
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ted655
Admiral
Posts: 424
Joined: 02/09/2007
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Don't know a thing about squalls on lakes. When "Rita" hit, the
boats that made it were the few who left the "safety" of the marina
and double anchored from the bow out IN the river, away from
everyone. All, we talked to, had put out long chain rodes (12 to 1
in one case). All had rigged a storm jib at the stern (even tiny
ones worked).. Some did drag, but they still faired better than the
boats in slips at the marina.
Some did come and double tie their boats (mostly the cleats pulled
out) BUT others "wanted" the insurance money & did nothing.
These boats were the ones who did the damage. Tearing loose,
ramming & holeing others and climbing up on top of others,
sinking them.
I spent a few days helping to recover friends boats. I learned
about politics, economics, insurance, mass/inertia &
greed.
My advice is stay out where you have room & TIME. Head up into
the wind. Don't flee to what seems like safety. equip with seperate
powered, multiple bilge pumps. Make certain the batterys are high
enough above the flooded height. My pumps are located so as to pump
out at different levels. That way I have a fresh battery set to
kick in IF the 1st pump is over whelmed or quits. My 3rd pump has a
buzzer wired in so all know we are in big trouble, get busy. It's
never sounded so far. I'm doing the same on the HB befor we head
home.
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05/11/2007 05:28:26 PM
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enginetamer
Member
Posts: 87
Joined: 02/14/2007
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So you are still enroute down the rivers?
-------------------------
lookin' for adventure and the next wild engine!
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05/11/2007 06:43:56 PM
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OLD HOUSEBOATER
Super moderator
Posts: 1520
Joined: 10/18/2002
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Agree with BT and Bob but if the engine quits be ready with the bow anchor with a lot of scope.
-------------------------
OLD HOUSEBOATER
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05/11/2007 07:46:25 PM
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ted655
Admiral
Posts: 424
Joined: 02/09/2007
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Originally posted by: enginetamer So you are still
enroute down the rivers?
Yes. June 24th we leave Evansville. (that's the plan anyway).
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05/13/2007 06:04:01 PM
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Pirate
Admin - super moderator group
Posts: 1346
Joined: 10/08/2002
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Look forward to seeing you on the Tenn Tom.
-------------------------
The pirate
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05/14/2007 09:06:29 AM
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BananaTom
Admiral
Posts: 968
Joined: 12/05/2006
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Hey Ted,
Are you planning on coming down the Tenn-Tom?
If so, I have the charts and a book for you, interested??
-------------------------
Banana Tom
Edited: 05/14/2007 at 09:06:56 AM by BananaTom
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05/14/2007 02:19:57 PM
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RadioWaves
Junior Member
Posts: 13
Joined: 02/13/2007
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Thanks for all of the replies, some good info. I took the boat out
this weekend for the first time, had a great time with no real
issues until it was time to return to the slip.
I had just entered the marina and was a couple hundred yards from
my slip when a water patrol officer in a john boat (not kidding)
pulled along side and motioned for me to stop the engines. I
pleaded with him to let me get into the slip first. The wind was
blowing 10-20 mph and I was being blown all over the place and
being my first time I was a nervous wreck anyway. Well, he made me
cut both engines while he checked to see if my son was old enough
to be on the bow deck without a life jacket- he was. He let me go
seconds before I was going to hit the dock. I had to fire the
engines and pour the coals to it to avoid the impending CRUNCH.
To make a long story short I made it into the slip ( took 2
tries) without incident but things could have been much worse.
BTW, I never would have taken it out if I knew the winds were
going to blow like that. When we left on Sat. winds were calm then
when we woke op on Sunday the wind was sustained at 10 and gusting
to 20. It was a little scary.
Thanks again for the replies
Greg
-------------------------
1989 14x64 Sumerset "SOLD"
1999 16x80 Fantasy
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05/14/2007 02:45:45 PM
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BrokerDave
Member
Posts: 154
Joined: 08/15/2006
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That pattern with wind is completely normal for the area. Today OK
tomorrow NOT. If your not exaggerating about the events with the
water police--it sounds like he was proving his rank to you. I have
no respect for unintelligent behavior like that.
-------------------------
Boatless at the moment
www.spboatsales.com
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05/14/2007 02:54:31 PM
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RadioWaves
Junior Member
Posts: 13
Joined: 02/13/2007
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I am not exaggerating at all about the water patrol, my wife was in
tears in fear of wrecking the boat or worse yet hurting someone. I
have no problem with him checking us, I am all about safety, but he
could followed us to the slip.
I had seen him out on the lake checking fishermen, I think they use
the john boat so they can sneak up on people.
-------------------------
1989 14x64 Sumerset "SOLD"
1999 16x80 Fantasy
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05/14/2007 03:07:15 PM
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BananaTom
Admiral
Posts: 968
Joined: 12/05/2006
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Get use to the winds, and think like a kite.
This will happen again, and again. Plan on taking the boat out on windy days to learn. You will learn use the wind to your advantage.
Glad you made it back to the slip without an impact.
-------------------------
Banana Tom
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05/14/2007 04:44:28 PM
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Dave
Moderator
Posts: 182
Joined: 10/18/2002
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Here in S. Florida the weather is fairly predictable, if one is careful I don't think there are any surprise storms down here. Between that and checking several different weather forecasts and the radar I've found it to be a fairly safe boating area for avoiding surprise storms or unexpected winds.
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05/14/2007 05:24:48 PM
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ted655
Admiral
Posts: 424
Joined: 02/09/2007
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Originally posted by: BananaTom Hey Ted, Are you
planning on coming down the Tenn-Tom? If so, I have the charts and
a book for you, interested??
No. I don't feel good about the streach from Mobil tp the west ICW.
Lots of open water, low freeboard & a better than even chance
of wind & waves (real ones).
Sorry to miss you Pirate. Thanks for the chart offer BT. Any charts
of the Ohio/Miss?
.
So now we know.... cross your Ts & dot your Is when on Kentucky
Lake, cuz Barney Fife is on the job. 
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05/15/2007 08:22:28 AM
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BananaTom
Admiral
Posts: 968
Joined: 12/05/2006
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I have none of the Ohio/Miss as I traveled the Tenn-Tom.
We have Barney Fife around here, but when the law wants you to shut your engines down and check your vessel, they take the responsiblity of controlling it to safty. I believe that if damages would have occured, the law would be liable, not the boat owner.
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Banana Tom
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05/15/2007 08:49:00 AM
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stmbtwle
Admiral
Posts: 2142
Joined: 04/22/2003
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I'd think a good lawyer could have a field day with it.
-------------------------
Willie She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw
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05/15/2007 08:56:16 AM
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BananaTom
Admiral
Posts: 968
Joined: 12/05/2006
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The lawyer would of course have a field day, up to the sovereign immunity limit of liabilty which exists for that State.
-------------------------
Banana Tom
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