A scary tale of big waves and a small boat.

[seabeagle]

Well, I'm telling this story quite simply because I need to get it off my chest. I've been haunted by it since it happened on our last vacation.

I'm no captain or a professional seafarer yet, I have around 10 years experience with power boats, time spent on kayaks and rafts, ability to swim, a basic understanding of aquadynamics, wind and wave action, and a desire to be on the water to make use of the boat I'm still paying for.

We were nearing the end of our annual summer vacation and got the boat out in the west arm of the Traverse bay in Michigan. The bay is approximately 4 miles wide, 30 miles long, and 3oo + feet deep with a small island 7 miles north of the southern most point of the bay. The winds were wsw 10-20 mph and cloudy skys with 60 degrees. We had traveled the western coastal road of the bay and ahd stopped to see the conditions of the water. Looking out from the shore, the water seemed relatively good. Waves were no more than 1 foot as far as the eye could see. So, we decided to make a last run for the island before returning home the next day.

From the launch site near the southern most part of the bay, we rode fairly close to the shore for several miles until turning northeast for the remaining 1.5 miles. That's when it started to get rough. I didn't imagine that the waves would have built up that much only 3 miles from the shore from the direction that the wind was coming. The waves had reached 3 feet with a close chop coming from the port stern. Looking at how close the island was, I decided to continue. It was a bit difficult with the wind blowing me off course and avoiding turning the boat parallel with the wave but , we made it to the sheltered side of the island and set anchor.

We stayed for about a half hour picking through the rocks along the beach. My wife was happily gathering her favorite stones and I was pondering the method of departure and returning to the launch. I figured the wind and waves would still be there on the way back so I would just have to deal with it.

We finally left and I began to procede north and then west around the island to try to make use of its shelter as long as possible and dart straight across to the nearest shoreline in the direction of the wind, about 3 miles. As soon as I cleared the island, it got bad. The waves had a tight chop mostly 4 feet and a few that were possibly 5. I felt it to be so bad, I didn't dare to turn around and risk capsizing. The forecast predicted the winds to increase as the day wore on so, I had to make it back now.

As soon as the first large wave took the bow under and covered the cabin, I almost became petrified. My first instinct was to cry. Then I thought to call the coast guard but, I could be sunk before they would arrive and was afaraid to take my hands off the steering wheel and throttle.

My wife placed her hand on knee to hang on to something. I turned and shouted "Don't touch me". From that brief glimpse, I noticed that she didn't really seem bothered by the situation while I was struggling to keep completely focused on driving. I soon said "I'm really scared". And I was. I kept thinking of how I was reponsible for her and it was my job to heep her safe and get her home. I thought I probably shouldn't let her get to the panic state that I felt so, I said jokingly "Don't let me do this again".

We pounded through the waves for about 20 minutes though 2.5 miles until we were nearing the west shoreline and the waves subsided enough to throttle up and get moving faster and ride the shallow water back to the launch. Finally I began to relax.

I know these waves are nothing like those pics I seen of that 22 foot C-Dory jumping the ocean waves but, to me an my 16 footer, it may just as well been the same. I guess I should also mention that I am terrified of water that I can't see the bottom. And, without a life jacket I sink like a rock. Through that short journey, I kept reminding myself that if something happened, Were had all of our protective gear on, the boat was relatively well enclosed, and I could still call for help. But the terror of man vs the unknown had a solid grip on me.

We arrived safely at the dock, pulled the boat out quietly, and finished our day of sightseeing in the region before returning to some secluded woods to camp for the night. When it was lights out, I said to my wife "I'm sorry for today" and quietly prayed to God and thanked him for his watchful eye and guidance through everything. I am a born again Christian and this was not anything unusual for me yet today, it meant something more.

It's been nearly a week since that day and I'm still not ove this and I'm telling everyone this because I need the release of the fear I feel boating, warn others on small craft in bad conditions, and look forward to hearing the advice of those who have felt this situation before.

By the way, this is the second time in this bay that I felt I wasn't going to make it home. The first time prompted me to make the grabrail system on my boat. But that is another story.

Tom

[Hunkydory]

Good story Tom and nothing wrong with being scared its what keeps most of us just back from the edge. Keeping your cool and doing the best you can do when found in a bad situation is whats most important and it sure sounded like you did that. Now many will say that prevention is the key and its hard to argue with that logic, but most if out and about in big water in small boats will eventually find themselves in a spot where keeping your cool and making the best of yourself, partner and equipment the difference between a scary story and real disaster.

Had one especially bad time in a boat in a situation where we were really scared and had serious doubt whether we would make it through the experience. This occurred in l981 in a rented open 16 foot boat with 25 hp hand tiller controlled outboard motor. Was our first time on Yellowstone Lake in a boat and Jo-Lee and I had our three very young boys with us. We had explored the far eastern side of the lake and about noon headed back across the lake to the rental docks at Bridge Bay. Half way across on a very sunny day the winds began to howl. Waves got up to about the max they get on that lake about 5 feet. Was a very close call for us all being it was early in the season and at that time the ice had recently gone off the water leaving a survival time of only about 15 minutes if the boat capsized. The next day in the same type boat in similar conditions the boat did capsize and two out of three aboard didn't survive. The loss of those two I think brought about the 19 foot high bowed stable boats they currently rent at the Bridge Bay Marina today.

I do know how you felt.

Enjoyed your photos of your cruise this year.

Jay

[DaveS]

Tom,
I've written about the following on the site before. In March '01, our daughter, Jessica (who was 11 years old at the time) and I were enroute to the very first C-Dory Gathering in Langley, Wa. When we got 1/2 way between Everett and Hat Island in our 16' C-Dory Cruiser, we had "green water" over the top of us. At one point, Jessica said, "I don't know dad but I think this is the Perfect Storm (we had recently watched the movie). Since we were at the point of no return we continued on to the safety of the Hat Island marina where we hunkered down for a couple of hours until the seas subsided. While we were in the storm on one side of the island, Brock (Catman) in his 16' Angler and Fred and Robbin in their 22' Cruiser were on the other side of the island. Robbin said that at times Brock's 16' was vertical in the waves.
There are others amongst us who have likewise previously posted their harrowing adventures in turbulent seas with their C-Dorys. As has been said before, "these little boats will take more than the crew".
Glad you made it through to tell us about it.
Since, we now have a 22', I'm a bit more comfortable out there, but obviously cautious.

[SeaSpray]

Hi Tom,

I also have been there and on more than one occasion with more than one boat. On our first cruise with our brand-new CD22 we got caught in some rough conditions. When I was unable to stay in the seat without bracing with my feet and the steering wheel, the fear hit me. I just wanted out of that boat - but there was no way out! I watched my friends in a deep-v boat leave us behind as we were forced to slow down. It was too rough for them to slow and wait for us.

I felt so hot I opened the window and spray drenched me and the electronics so had to close it. I realized my only option was to just do the best I could to get to were it was calmer. I was concerned about the kayak I had jury rigged on top. It could come partially off and break a window. I was also running on a low tank and was afraid I would run out of gas at any moment. It was too rough to have my wife go to the stern to switch tanks and I could not leave wheel. I was concerned about how much spray was coming into the cockpit so I turned on the bilge pump.

When we made it in I was wondering if I would be able to enjoy our new boat that I had just spent so much for. After getting home to my local waters I realized that we can have rough conditions but it rarely gets to more than 3ft. Also, it is not large open water and there are lots of protected places close by. It is easy to go out in rough conditions to gain skill and build confidence when you know the area and can get out of it quickly. I have done that many times now.

That first trip has been almost 5 years ago and we recently did a 3 week trip to the SJ's where we had our scare and we had a great trip. I was not totally without some concern and had some discomfort once or twice but nothing like that time. Part of the skill of boating is to decide when to go or not go and I am fairly conservative. I don't think those same conditions would affect me as much now as they did then. We could get caught again, but we are not ready to give up the enjoyment we get from boating. I will also continue to try to build my skill and confidence so that if we do get caught it will not have the same affect.

I hope this helps,

Steve

[JamesTXSD]

To quote the magazine: "The difference between adversity and adventure is attitude."

No, I'm not being a smart mouth. A good attitude is something that is built with experience and education. Sounds like you got some of both on that trip. These boats are tough; I know our boat can take more than I can. But, there are times when you just shouldn't be out there... and when you find yourself up to your armpits in one of those times, you have to make sure you don't let "get-home-itis" push you beyond your (or the boat's) capabilities. You were in the protection of an island... that could easily be "Plan A"; stay 'till conditions get better. If you stick your nose out and don't like the conditions, go back to the protection of the island.

If you don't have that, then the next plan may be to run with the waves to an alternate destination. If that doesn't work, and you are starting to run out of options... and you find yourself "out there." Every boater who has done this for any length of time has been there. Some have gone so far beyond their comfort zone that they get out of boating.

Back to the experience and education: what did you learn from this experience? Mostly: big close waves and a little boat = very uncomfortable. You felt fear creeping up out of your stomach, but you didn't panic and you worked a plan... that's a good thing. Now, go boating on a nice smooth lake and remember all the good reasons you do this. Then build on your experience and take on some lumpy 1 foot chop. Then build on that. You will eventually get to the point where you say to yourself, "Self, I don't like being out in _____________ (fill in the blank for the waves/conditions), but the boat can take it." You've now found the limit of your comfort zone.

Then, back to "Plan A"... remember that? That's the plan where the boat is someplace safe and so are you. If your experience tells you that 5 foot waves are beyond what you want to be in, stay with Plan A. Do you have some food onboard and a cell phone? Call your float plan contact and tell 'em, "We're staying put until the conditions improve. Call my boss and tell him I'll be late."

Over time, you'll find that the comfort zone moves... it will depend on not just the wind and waves, but the distance, forecast, and who you have onboard.

And the next time your wife reaches out to touch your knee... it may be as much for HER comfort as yours. Some time when our paths cross, remind me to tell you about the time we were hit by lightning in our plane... while flying over the Rockies... and my wife asked, "Are we OK?"

Take that great little boat and your great wife out and have fun with it. You learned from the experience and now have one of those, "There I was..." stories to tell at a gathering. There will be nods and quiet "Oh, yeahs." The ones who really scare themselves move on to something else.

Thanks for sharing the experience here.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

[DoryLvr]

Good story and well written, I could feel your feelings.

I served aboard a buoy tender on the Great Lakes in the CG, and while some ocean sailors will make fun of you on the "puddles," I have seen some of the worst conditions ever on the lakes, Huron and Erie in particular.

Now on Chesapeake Bay, it too gets that high chop, short period kind of confused seas that the lakes get. I was out by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel at the beginning of the summer this year and took green water over the bow. It is not a good feeling in the 16 cruiser at all. But that little boat just popped right up and over the waves. Turning around was not fun and heading back in under the bridge through the pilings was "nerve wracking." I am learning that if the winds are more than 10kts. the open water (more than a mile from shore on the lee side) can be uncomfortable on the bay, not impassible, just really uncomfortable. In my mind, the jump from uncomfortable to scary is usually a short one too as you get tired and you start getting that tunnel vision.

All's well that ends well, especially if we learn from the experience, that is what makes us better mariners in the end. Glad you and Sea Beagle survived unscathed, unbroken and ready to go out again. Thanks for sharing the story.

[DoryLvr]

Oh yeah, one last thing, just think how good this story will be in a couple of years with a couple of beers and good friends willing to listen to it "again." The waves will be bigger, the storm stronger and you will become Capt Ahab himself chasing the big white whale.

[matt_unique]

[1TUBERIDER]

Where did you go wrong?

Wind was 10 to 20 forecast to be stronger? How much stronger? In the ocean I usually don't go if wind is forecast 15 to 25 or more. And if I do go I stay close to port and head in when the white caps arrive.

I have a lot of wind surfing experience so I am familiar with the effects of wind on water. What you see near shore is just the easy stuff. In the channel (out in the middle) the effects of wind on water is greater as you noted. Add to it current and the mess is only worse. Seeing the near shore conditions should have told you the offshore conditions would have been at least twice as bad if not 4 times as bad.

Wind chop is different than ocean swells. Wind chop is short and steep. By short I mean close together. No fun. Add to it 3 ft and you are burying your bow. Which means slow down if you are air born and maintain way but keep the boat in the water.

Once there and you are caught in it, waiting it out was a better option.

But where you really got in trouble was how you communicated your feelings to you wife. Maybe a hug and honey put your life jacket on would have been better.

Also keep one hand on the throttle and one on the helm after all the hugging, as this is the best way to control your boat.

You made it and have your story and now you can reflect on your experience before you attempt it again. I have some scary windsurfing experiences to share which is how I gained some of my rough water experience. But surfing for close to 50 years has really taught me something about the surf zone and reading water.

[colobear]

Tom,

Thanks for sharing that story and kudos to you for having the courage to do so. It is not easy to tell the world of your fears, and actions while afraid. Others may read of your experience and be safer because of it.

[Jack in Alaska]

Tom,
Great recount of your experience. Glad you made it and learned from it.
My "near death in a boat" came several years ago on a 28' twin I/O charter boat on the back side of the Barren Islands out of Homer, Ak. Coming around the back side the wind and tide rip caused 8-10 footers almost instantly with no way to reverse out of the situation. The skipper did a great job even when the boat plunged into the next wave, was thrown up so high that the side cabin windows slid open and the salt water crashed into the cabin knocking him off his seat and killing the radios. He managed to hang on, work the throttles/steering and get us to calmer waters.
We were 50 miles from safety, a vertical rock face on the port side and 5 miles of open water on the stbd. side. Not a pleasant thing. THe worst part was that I had absolutely no control over the situation and was dependent on a stranger doing the right thing..he did. Later on, back on shore, he admitted that he was scared also.

Another of life's learning experiences.

[Levitation]

Fear is the enemy, not the water... Fear can make hot and weak, make your hands and legs shake, make your chest ache, make you sweat like a mule, make you start to hyperventilate and desperately want out of here NOW...

But you cannot get out, you are the captain... You must look at the waves and pick the best angle, ride the throttle, and keep your wits about you to get the boat to calmer water... Once back at the dock and over a sundowner you will reflect and realize the boat was not foundered, the engine was making power, she answered the helm, and the weak link in the chain was you... Next time the wind pipes up and the waves get steep, you will cast a weather eye at the waves, realize that the green water over the bow is no worse than before and the boat handled it, ease the helm a trifle, rhythmically work the throttle to ease her over the crests, and decide you can keep on to the next port just as you intended when you set out... At that point you are now salty...

[Da Nag]

[1TUBERIDER]

[quote="Levitation Next time the wind pipes up and the waves get steep, you will cast a weather eye at the waves, realize that the green water over the bow is no worse than before and the boat handled it, ease the helm a trifle, rhythmically work the throttle to ease her over the crests, and decide you can keep on to the next port just as you intended when you set out... At that point you are now salty...[/quote]

Levitation getting caught in it and going out in it are two different things. I am glad are boats are very sea worthy and can handle it but

I think salty would recognize from the weather forecast that there are better days to boat. Why take the chances in crummy conditions. If you should need help in the crummy conditions you just caused others to go out in crummy conditions to SYA.

Salty would also know when to head back to port if the conditions worsen. There are to many sunken vessels much bigger than ours that did not for what ever reason head back to port when they should have never cast off a line at the dock.

I believe getting an accurate weather forecast is a critical factor in determining wether today is a day for boating.

[thataway]

Well written and well said. A lot of respect is due the "sea". There is also alot of difference between a C Dory16 and a C Dory 22/25. The 16 is still a small open boat, which could capsize and fill with water. The 22/25 is much less likely to suffer such a fate.

One important thing about the sea is that we are always learning. In fact It is hard to find a day when we go out and don't learn something new
You got a bunch of lessons all at once and handled them very well!