Foul Weather

[hump180]

We were caught in a storm on Lake Erie yesterday. This was our first storm experience and not one I would ever care to repeat. We had left Middle Bass Island in the morning around 11:00 and were about an hour 1.5 hours into our 5 hour trip home when we checked the weather for an update. We saw a warning about thunderstorms and had to make a choice to go back or push for home and hope it wouldn't be too bad - we went with the latter. By the time I saw the lightening strikes about an hour later I knew I had made a wrong decision.

The foul weather started while under power with a south wind at 5 knts at our back and then all the sudden it switched to SW at about twenty, then thirty. At this time we were starting to heel at about 15 degrees without sail, which for some reason unsettling to me. Then the wind built to 40 knts and then 52knts – all of this in a matter of ten minutes. We were heeled so much with the wind and building rear quartering seas that the boat felt like it was rounding up and I was fighting the rudder all the ways to the stops. The seas finally built to about 5-6+ ft steep waves and I figured out the only way to control the boat was to put the waves square on the stern and let them roll under us. During the 50+ knts of wind we were pelted with hail for about five minutes and blinding rain for an hour. Luckily we had our backs to it, with the bimini and some foul weather gear on to protect us. After about an hour and a call to coast guard to let them know our position, the wind dialed down in increments until it was back in the teens. At this point I decided to try and turn around and head into the wind and seas, this way we would be making way for home instead of further away.

I am not sure if this was too much weather for the boat or just me, but I know it is the most worried I have ever been on a boat. I will be playing the situation back mentally for a while trying to figure out what went wrong – 1st with my decision making, and then 2nd with how I handled the boat.

During this time we overheard many maydays and I still wonder what happened to a boat I saw behind us a few miles that was sporting full sail when it hit. One mayday was a family on an Oday 28 with member knocked unconscious seeking assistance to harbor. I wanted to help but all I could do was try to keep going with the waves at my back and hope that the storm outran my steady 8 knts of speed.

I am definitely not a great writer but I wanted to let the board know of this experience so people can think about my mistakes and also to remind everyone that this board is also for discussion on seamanship, of which I could obviously use some help. Maybe we can share more stories in the future of seamanship and handling, both in how to avoid weather and also how to handle it in our cruising boats. Thanks everyone. Bill

[Terry Forshier]

Most sailors will find themselves in a similar predicament if they sail a lot or have sailed for many years. I try to be a fair weather sailor but have at times also experienced those winds over 50 mph. they do get your attention. The worst storm I was in was on my ODay 30 coming back from the Dry Tortugas to Key Wst. It was overcast and in the Dry tortugas you were too far out to get weather radio and several of us went early that morning trying to beat  the big front that we heard was coming. We were about 15 miles out ready to turn up into the southern channel when the big black line in the sky caught up with us. Like you, there was no turning into the wind and we barely got the sails down before the bimini top started shredding off. (we finally cut it all off with the knife) It was just my wife and i and we had a boat about a mile or two  in front and one behind us a ways back. The rain come in sheets and waves got huge in minutes. We rode stern to for about 2 hours until it let up some and we could turn into the waves and try to get on course as we were trying to avoid some shoals marked on the charts. We had a handheld garmin GPS and it was bouncing all over the cockpit but when we picked it up it showed a top speed of 9.2 kts was reached. (pretty fast for an old ODay 30.) Anyh0w, during this time a Pearson 36 with a grandpa and 2 kids on radioed trouble. Their compression post failed and drove their mast through the top of the deck down into the cabin. They could not get out very far with the antenna on top of the mast and the whole rig  bouncing around. They were afraid the mast would hole them and they might sink. WE could not see them and did not know where they were in realation to us so we kept our course. We could hear them though and were the only vessel that could. We radioed their approximate location and may day to the Ranger station in the Dry Tortugas . They in turn called Key West Coast guard and they dispatched a cruiser to find them and tow them in. They were finally reached, all was well and they made it in to Key West ok. All that worry about them took our minds off our problems which then seemed small. We just reacted and did what we knew we had to do to keep the boat going and somewhat level.
After all that we finally got to survey our situation. our bimini was gone, our jib was shredded some as when we rolled it in it rolled so tightly that some of it flapped around until I finally got up to tie it off. We had the motor on and the jib up and the wind was closer to 20+  and the waves back uner 6 feet.....After the storm the wind shifted and we had following waves and winds on our back quarter. WE sailed on toward Key West. There is more to the story including the motor failing due to an obstruction in the water intake, us getting towed in to Key West harbor at 1 am. But I will spare you the details. Needless to say, you cannot predict the weather. Now it is much easier with the sattelite weather and all but back then, well, just be prepared for anything and know what to do if you find yourself in a bad situation. Remember you can have trouble with out having to be in trouble. Know you boat and "be Prepared"
Terry

[Jim Hardesty]

Bill,
Lake Erie is an interesting place to sail.  The weather forcasts are seldom correct.  Waves are quick to form and are choppy.  I still enjoy it.  BTW I did hear a marine warning on the NOAA weather station, may be it was too late for you.
Jim

[tonywright]

Bill,

It seems to me that you did well. Good that you had foul weather gear on board, and all sail taken in. You were monitoring the radio (surprised you could hear it!) and kept coast guard informed. It seems that you had enough sea room to keep going downwind. If you ever were in danger of running out of sea room, or running into an obstruction, then running downwind would not have been a great option.  Did you have GPS/Radar on?

If your sails are heavy enough and in decent condition, you could try having a small area of each unfurled, and heave to. This calms everything down, minimizes drift, and avoids running the engine in those kinds of conditions. Makes it easier to hear the radio too.

The storm we got caught in two years ago on the Ottawa river did not last so long, and only hit 42 kts of wind, but was scary enough. I chose to turn around to face it under power to keep the hail etc out of the cockpit, and to avoid drifting out of "sea room". I kept the gps going to keep an eye on where we were, and turned on all nav lights, steaming lights etc to warn boats coming downstream toward us. In a storm like that, visibility is very reduced. We had made the mistake of having no foul weather gear on board (hot day, early in the season, no storms forecast), and weren't really prepared for the dramatic drop in temperature, the soaking and the hail.

Despite having the dodger, bimini and connector up, by the end of it I had the first stage of hypothermia for sure, but the whole thing was over in 30 minutes. Lightning hit the water several times not too far off, and I have since had to repair/replace a couple of instruments.  Our lesson learned is never going out without foul weather gear, and checking several sources for the weather before leaving a safe anchorage.

Tony

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

I'm just happy that our boats stand up to these conditions!

[Kyle Ewing]

It sounds like you did everything right.  During the few storms I've been in I've typically dropped sails and motored into the waves.  I once had the genoa wrap while furling before a storm and had to run with the wind while trying to unwrap it.  The worst of storms seem to last only 15 or 20 minutes--watch the clock next time you're home and a storm passes.

To me, the noise from the wind is the worst part.  I've set my autopilot so I could stand in the companionway behind the dodger to keep lookout while crew stays below dry and safer from lightning. 

Around Chicago the NWS is pretty good about broadcasting special marine advisories about lines of thunderstorms.  It's something to be on the water under blue skies watching an awesome thunderhead pass a few miles away.

My favorite time to sail is after a line of thunderstorms passes.  The winds are fresh and there's no one on the water.  The lake seems especially smooth--I think it's true that rain smooths waves.

Don't get me wrong, storms scare me especially at night when you can't tell how strong it'll be.  I hate that lightning is completely random and you can't do anything about it, but like any other risk it can be lessened with the right skills and preparation.

[horsemel]

Bill,
Glad to hear all came out well.  We saw the forecast and decided to head home about 15 minutes before the storm hit.  At one point we could not see past the end of the hood and the whole suv was shaking.  Those who have not sailed Lake Erie do not know how fast the weather can go bad.  At times 10 minutes can do it.  The Western Basin averages only 30' and makes the waves build fast, steep and irregular.  The boat does not so much go over or through them but gets slapped by them.  In my experience, when you see it coming it is too late.  Two years ago I took some friends out for a day sail.  Forecast was for 12 to 15 with clear skies.  Had the sails up for about 10 mionutes when we got hit with 35 plus knots with clear skies.  Completely unforecast.  Only lasted about 5 minutes but was certainly exciting.  I broke my foot in that one when I stepped around the pedestal to take the wheel.
Mark Mueller

[Stephen Butler]

Well done.  In answer to your question, the boat is much more capable of absorbing punishing weather than we are, at least in our own case.  Three hours into our last weather event, and we were exhausted.  You were fortunate in one respect, in having the wind and wave directions more of less constant.  If you had been caught in a micro-cell with 180 degree wind shifts every minute or so, and confused seas, it would have been more challenging...but still doable in a C34.  A final agreement with your comments....listening to maydays is indeed a chilling experience, knowing you are out of range to help.  Sobering to say the least, and very thought provoking.

[RV61]

Bill,
As said you did well. As a Lake Erie Sailor I have been caught out several times and have learned from each experience. The first one was a great day started with no clouds no storm in forcast out sailing and
and just past the tree line came a big black cloud. Wind started gusting and we pulled down the sails and made a run for home as we were near the channel. In the channel the cloud let loose and wind was on our nose. Not sure how fast wind was but the Tanzer 27 with an out board would not move forward against the wind. Could not see past the the bow. Traffic in the channel was heavy and congested. Learned when one of these storms pops up DO NOT to go in channel or try to dock need to ride it out in the lake.
The second time this happend we were on the Catalina  34. We pulled sail, dawned foul wether gear, Life jackets. Turned on running lights. Checked GPS, had enough room to run straight into wind, Sounded horn every 15 to 20 seconds so any on coming vessels could hear us as they could not see us. Winds built to 35 with guests 55. As rain was subsiding a guest of 50 plus hit just as the dinghy we were towing come atop a wave and  it took off like a kite and was spinning and landed upside down. I was concerned about  the drag as shore was not far behind us. I immediately ordered a crew member to grab my big knife as we may need to cut dinghy loose. I also brought up to full RPM and boat did just great. Wind and rain quit, dinghy was righted and went on in.  Did monitor radio the entire time and made sure a hand held was available if needed. Had much water riding the cabin top and learned to have hatch boards convenient.

Lake Erie and its weather  as said is very unpredictable.  We monitor radar and NOAA but NOAA is is not reliable and by the time a warning is out it is to late. If I stayed in every time NOAA called for a thunderstorm I would not get out to sail. My course is to be prepared and have the drill laid out to crew and ride it out. In case of mast failure I do carry cutters to cut the rigging loose and lose the mast. 
Our boats thus far handle  much better then this skipper.       

[Stu Jackson]

For those of you who have shared your stories, thanks, and thanks to Bill for sharing his for starters.

During all of your episodes, have any of you considered heaving to?  If not, why not?

[Ken Juul]

The first time I got hit was during a scheduled 10 hour move to our new homeport, first 3-4 hours calm, then an unforecast low moved in, wind rose to around 30knt, seas built to 8-10'.  Due to the earlier no wind, sails were all ready secured.  Found the boat most comfortable running about 45° into the waves.  It was the direction I needed to go and had plenty of sea room, did have to "tack" a couple times to get to the destination.  I had a couple of alternates available if I couldn't make the destination before dark, but the boat performed well.

The last time I left a day early to avoid forecast weather (good choice, the next 3 days developed into a bad blow), Wasn't as bad as the first time, only winds in the mid 20's but the long fetch quickly developed steep 6-8' waves.  This time they were off the stern quarter.  Tried to run a furled head sail, helped until the wind got gusty, single line furling line was wet, I was worried about an uncommanded unfurl in a gust so I eventually put the sail away.  A lot more rocking and rolling as waves moved past us.  A lot more work on the helm, but the boat was controlable

Of the two, 30-45° into the seas was definitely the easiest of the two choices.  As both systems were not quickly passing storms, heaving too was not an option.  Now before you SF Bay sailors think I'm a wimp, remember that 90% of my sailing is less than 14 kts apparent, in 1-2' chop.  Head sail is a 155, as we seldom have to reef, all the reefing is done at the mast, not where you want to be in a blow.  As the other authors have said, the boat will take more than the crew, I was never in fear....just working way too hard, worried about unexpected breakage or hitting something unseen.  As you SF sailors know, properly rigged the boat will sail in big wind and moderate chop/seas.

[RV61]

Stu,
You make a very good point as Heaving To would be typically be much more stable however in my episodes I brought the sails down as we never know how bad the gusts are going to be. It is not unusual to see 50 plus gusts for short periods and do not want to risk shredding the sail as that would cause another set of issues to deal with. The winds in these thunderstorms change directions quickly and some times water spouts. The wave action is most unusual on lake Erie due to it being shallow. It is not uncommon to see  the lake go from 1 to 2 foot waves 6 ft  ft plus chop coming from slightly directions and braking in the mater of 15 minutes. Unlike the ocean rollers we have a milkshake in a blender with out the top on. I have found for me pointing into the wind with motor speed adjusted to keep control is best option however your point is well taken and will practice Heaving Too as we never know when the motor may fail. Thanks again for the point.

[Stephen Butler]

Stu, we have heaved-to twice when we had enough sea room, but more to gain experience than anything else.  The boat handles this very well (full keel).  We have found that with a well reefed main, and no genny (ours is a 155), the boat is fairly comfortable and controllable.  We reef at the mast, but never go forward without a safety harness and PFD.  In about 2 weeks, we will be installing reefing lines back to the cockpit.   

[Terry Forshier]

Heaving to has never been an option in my mind in heavy weather sailing along the coast. (although i know all the books say it smooths things out and lets the boat rest and bob along).. I have mostly coastal cruised and rarely sail more than a day or so at a stretch. Now a trip to Key West, Marathon or the Dry tortugas is an overnight sail. Storms here can really kick up and I have seen lots of 30+ days but have only beenin a handful of 40 to 50 mph winds. Usually here in my sailing area these last a few hours at most. I always thought you needed sea room to heave to and close up and go below (or whatever they do) I have prefered to keep shortening sail and maintain some form of steering and be on deck to see what was going on.. I have though, taken all sail down and just motored with the flow. In 25 to 30 gusts I take a reef and shorten the jib on the roller as small as I can and still get drive. Fortunatly along this coast we rarely get large seas as many times these are easterlies so you can boom along with 20+ winds in about 3 footers. You really go. But if it got worse Next I would take in a second reef. Then I have a parachute drouge but have not yet felt I needed to use it. It would be my next step if I were losing control of steerage and had no sail up. I have also wondered if I should use it would I clete it on the bow or the stern? Bow if wanting to remain slow and stationary, stern if I wanted to continue a controled tack with the wind and waves.  After that I might try heaving to if nothing was working but I still think that heaving to is for blue water voyagers that get caught up in big ocean waves and long lasting storms. I hopefully will not find myself in one of those. For me the more times I have in windy bouncy days the more confident i am in the boats abiltity to stay up and going.
This C34 is far superior to my old O'Day 30 and that was better then my little 25 I started with.

[Jim Hardesty]

This has turned into a conversation on heaving to, one of my favorite topics.  Knowing what was happening to Bill I doubt that heaving to would have been much of an option.  Lake Erie waves can be just slop, best described as chop, comming from all directions and no direction.  I think that the chop would be like pyramids rising up, and Bill, standing behind the wheel, would be looking up at the crests.  They move the boat a lot. 
I like to heave to.  My favorite time is when we have inexperienced people on board and the weather is not to their liking.  Just sail hard for a short time, heal a lot, get some spray.  Then heave to, and call for a break, that usually settles them down, they realise then that the boat is under control and then they start enjoying sailing.
It is something that needs to be practiced a few times, perferably not when an emergency is happening.
Jim