Bit of a blow

Captain Smollett · April 16, 2011, 06:02:36 PM

Currently running about 20 knots sustained with 35 gusts...one recorded gust over 40 a few hours ago.

Earlier, my wife said, "hey, one time when it's blowing like this, we should go out. You know, to learn how to do it."

You gotta love an adventuresome spirit...

tomwatt · April 16, 2011, 07:05:12 PM

OK. Where's the button to hit for Grog for your wife?
:)

Sid T · April 16, 2011, 07:20:28 PM

Not exactly our choice but the wife and I were out today. We got thru with our work in the boatyard at Sailcraft around 1030 and started the 2 mile trip back to our home dock in Smith Creek. Winds were 15 to 20 with gust to 32 at that time. The only real concern was the wind trying to blow us our of the narrow channel at Whitaker Creek. We were taking spray across the bow about every 3 or 4 waves, probably wave were around 3 ft. It was good to get under the bridge and into some calmer air. After a set of dry clothes and a snack we decided it wasn't to bad but we were glad we didn't have far to go. Its all fun.

Captain Smollett · April 16, 2011, 08:41:54 PM

Quote from: Sid T on April 16, 2011, 07:20:28 PM

The only real concern was the wind trying to blow us our of the narrow channel at Whitaker Creek. We were taking spray across the bow about every 3 or 4 waves, probably wave were around 3 ft.

You guys are in Oriental? Or a different Whitaker Creek?

maxiSwede · April 16, 2011, 10:52:02 PM

Quote from: Captain Smollett on April 16, 2011, 06:02:36 PM
Currently running about 20 knots sustained with 35 gusts...one recorded gust over 40 a few hours ago.

Earlier, my wife said, "hey, one time when it's blowing like this, we should go out. You know, to learn how to do it."

You gotta love an adventuresome spirit...

That's the right spirit! more women like that on the water would be great.

It's a lot easier and safer to go out before a good blow thuogh. The trickiest part is normally to get in and out of slips and marinas...provided the boat and crew are well prepared fo course

Sid T · April 17, 2011, 07:54:14 AM

The boat lives in Oriental we live in Eastover near Fayetteville. We stay on the boat as much as we can. Trips planned this year are for Ocracoke and Washing/Bath pluse some anchoring in some our local areas. Slept good last night back at our home dock.

Jim_ME · April 18, 2011, 12:52:11 AM

John, I saw the weather report tonight and how hard North Carolina was hit and was concerned about you and your family...

Hope that you are all right.

Captain Smollett · April 18, 2011, 01:16:09 AM

Quote from: Jim_ME on April 18, 2011, 12:52:11 AM
John, I saw the weather report tonight and how hard North Carolina was hit and was concerned about you and your family...

Hope that you are all right.

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the concern.

We weathered this one okay. While we had some tremendous winds here (a few gusts at 50 knots), we got only a little tiny bit of rain.

The worst of this train of systems was to the west of us by a few miles. I heard a comment at church this morning that there was one tornado a few miles east of us, but I have not confirmed that.

A few minutes ago, I spoke to our slipmates who have a house near Raleigh. They got hammered and were right in the line of fire, but the fared okay, too.

It was a mess and a lot of people were hurt. We were lucky that it missed us, and so we are humbled; in our thanks that we were spared, our attention turns to those who were not. Please keep them in your prayers.

Jim_ME · April 18, 2011, 01:39:58 AM

Hi John, That is a relief to hear that you were spared.

I was very sorry to see the news reports of the destruction of the houses and buildings and tragic loss of life and injuries.

CapnK · April 18, 2011, 07:16:27 AM

Yeppers, we got it too. Tornadoes touched down just a ways inland, trees knocked over and such, but we skirted under the edge of the worst of it as far as that was concerned. Marina manager measured 50 kts at the end of my dock @about 3:30PM. I lashed my dockbox & dinghy to the dock, it was rolly enough & big waves that I didn't want them swept away. :)

Glad to hear that Team Smollett made it OK. Grog to the Beck. ;)

tomwatt · April 18, 2011, 08:03:19 AM

I was awakened by the tornado sirens at 3 am several nights ago... the leading edge of this same storm blew through Oklahoma & Arkansas - generally making a mess. Although this piece of the country normally gets a few every year, this storm was remarkably wide in its front, as I'd never seen so many pieces of the area I grew up in named in simultaneous warnings.
Sad to know of all the lost lives, and the lives disrupted by homes & property lost.
Hope that all our SailFarers are well and undamaged through all this.

CharlieJ · April 18, 2011, 08:59:06 AM

I was pretty concerned about you guys too-AND about Tehani.

Glad every one on SailFar fared well. Really sad reading of those who didn't.

News:

Bit of a blow