Boating during storms

upthesaukee · 06-28-2017, 10:14 AM

What Phantom said.
Additionally, keeping an eye on the radar is not enough. Keep in mind where you have gone on the lake and how long it will take to get back to where you rented the boat, get tied up, and get all your stuff into the car or motel.
By the time Sunday gets here, the weather forecast could be the same probability, or less, or higher. Remember, if you don't like New England weather, wait 15 minutes and it will likely change.
Hope your plans work for you.
Dave

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Japek · 06-28-2017, 10:23 AM

Ah, so you might even say keep an eye on it while out there and if we see weather rolling in, just get back to the marina quickly? We will be out of Alton Bay, so I am thinking we hang in the Alton/Wolfeboro area and head back quickly if we see dark. In my experience, you have over an hour to get situated after seeing dark clouds in the distance.

Phantom · 06-28-2017, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Japek

In my experience, you have over an hour to get situated after seeing dark clouds in the distance.

Sometimes, yes .... sometimes, NO !

On average, with my 30+ yrs experience up here ...... more than I care to admit (< drenched > before I got the canvas up) more time NO as opposed to Yes

.

SAMIAM · 06-28-2017, 12:33 PM

I wouldn't cancel.......easy to check a weather app on your cell phone and have plenty of time to reach shelter.
If it were me I'd hang closer to the eastern side of the lake in order to get better visibilty to the western sky.

Doobs41378 · 06-28-2017, 01:23 PM

What do they define as sketchy weather though? 40% chance at 2pm count as sketchy? Just curious.

Bandrews7 · 06-30-2017, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Japek

Ah, so you might even say keep an eye on it while out there and if we see weather rolling in, just get back to the marina quickly? We will be out of Alton Bay, so I am thinking we hang in the Alton/Wolfeboro area and head back quickly if we see dark. In my experience, you have over an hour to get situated after seeing dark clouds in the distance.

I disagree with this logic. I was stuck in a storm last year that was the worst I've ever seen on the lake. We had less than 30 minutes to get from where we were to our home dock and we did not make it. We had to ride it out on the lake. Winds were measured in excess of 60 miles an hour with waves over 4 feet. Having the right boat makes a big difference to ride it out if you have to. A pontoon boat is not where I would want to be.

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StardogChampion · 06-30-2017, 01:49 PM

Severe thunderstorms can easily move at 45-55mph so if you see dark clouds there isn't really a way to determine how soon they'll be there. There is no rule of thumb. They can also popup and intensify (or fizzle) as they approach. One moment nothing on the radar and 30 minutes later a strong storm. Keep an eye to the sky and the other on the weather radar. Also, you can download weather radio apps on your phone if your marine radio doesn't have one.

And you definitely do not want to situate yourself next to anything that can be struck by lightning. The voltages are so high, the same rules don't apply.

http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/lightning.htm

overeasy · 07-01-2017, 08:12 PM

A good boat can handle more rough weather than it's crew. But pregnant wife trumps all.

06-28-2017, 10:14 AM	#1
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,609 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,478 Thanked 1,984 Times in 1,084 Posts	What Phantom said. Additionally, keeping an eye on the radar is not enough. Keep in mind where you have gone on the lake and how long it will take to get back to where you rented the boat, get tied up, and get all your stuff into the car or motel. By the time Sunday gets here, the weather forecast could be the same probability, or less, or higher. Remember, if you don't like New England weather, wait 15 minutes and it will likely change. Hope your plans work for you. Dave Sent from my SM-T580 using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

06-28-2017, 10:23 AM	#2
Japek Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Ah, so you might even say keep an eye on it while out there and if we see weather rolling in, just get back to the marina quickly? We will be out of Alton Bay, so I am thinking we hang in the Alton/Wolfeboro area and head back quickly if we see dark. In my experience, you have over an hour to get situated after seeing dark clouds in the distance.

06-28-2017, 12:33 PM	#4
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,922 Thanks: 349 Thanked 1,693 Times in 595 Posts	I wouldn't cancel.......easy to check a weather app on your cell phone and have plenty of time to reach shelter. If it were me I'd hang closer to the eastern side of the lake in order to get better visibilty to the western sky.

06-28-2017, 01:23 PM	#5
Doobs41378 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 510 Thanks: 234 Thanked 88 Times in 73 Posts	What do they define as sketchy weather though? 40% chance at 2pm count as sketchy? Just curious.

06-30-2017, 01:49 PM	#7
StardogChampion Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Gunstock Acres Posts: 50 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Severe thunderstorms can easily move at 45-55mph so if you see dark clouds there isn't really a way to determine how soon they'll be there. There is no rule of thumb. They can also popup and intensify (or fizzle) as they approach. One moment nothing on the radar and 30 minutes later a strong storm. Keep an eye to the sky and the other on the weather radar. Also, you can download weather radio apps on your phone if your marine radio doesn't have one. And you definitely do not want to situate yourself next to anything that can be struck by lightning. The voltages are so high, the same rules don't apply. http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/lightning.htm

07-01-2017, 08:12 PM	#8
overeasy Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 22 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A good boat can handle more rough weather than it's crew. But pregnant wife trumps all.