Thread: Rough weekend?
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Old 08-15-2006, 11:32 AM   #9
carguy
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Location: Norwich, CT
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Default Rough Water

I can remember as a teenager growing up in Lake Shore Park a weather condition on the Lake, that we referred to as a "Three Day Blow". The wind would blow for three days, even during nightime hours. This condition ususally occured in August along with lower than normal air temperatures. We wouldn't be able to comfortably use our boats or waterski during the blow due to the wave height and wind. The blowboaters liked the conditons, but at times the wind was too strong for them to even enjoy sailing.

My worst rough water experience on the Lake occured on one windy day in October in the early 1990's. My brother and I were riding in our 21' Century Coronado powerboat on a course from Alton Bay to Wolfeboro. We were constantly bucking 5-6 footers on the eastern end of the Lake and we were on a beeline course to get into Wolfeboro, so we could get out of the weather, and get a bite to eat. On the way to Wolfeboro at the Eastern end of Rattlesnake Island, we hit a rogue wave coming out of the Northwest, that must have been an eight footer, at the minimum. The wave lifted our 21' Coronado right out of the water, the Tachometer raced towards redline, for the prop was completely out of the water. This was one of the few times that I ever got scared on the Lake. After reaching Wolfeboro, we waited a couple of hours hoping that the windy conditions would subside. Upon leaving Wolfeboro to return to our homeport at Fay's Boat Yard in Gilford we passed the point that guards the western entrance to Wolfeboro Bay, and we got slammed by rough water again, and it got worse out towards the eastern end of Parker Island where we were costantly bucking five and six foot waves. We were concerned whether to abort the return trip and return to Wolfeboro, or to continue towards our homeport in Gilford. Luckily for us the "Mount" had just left Wolfeboro on her return trip to the Weirs on a foliage leaf peeping excursion.

I was at the helm and I powered the boat right up close to the fantail of the "Mount" (closer than the legal 150'), and used the "Mount" to clear a path for us on the return trip to Glendale. When our position was off of Glendale we cleared the "Mount's" wake and took many broadside hits from large waves and shot into Glendale and then Smith's Cove. We were lucky to have made it back without any mishaps.
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Carguy
Norwich, CT 06360

Last edited by carguy; 08-15-2006 at 07:17 PM.
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