Heavy seas where TomS boats ...

[DaleH]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLXsKeybUeA

Yes, that's a USCG 47' MLB on training maneuvers. This is the mouth of the Merrimack River, which can be deadly on the falling tide with onshore winds.

 

[TheOtherLine]

OK Pardon my ignorance but why the big deal about a falling tide?

 

[B-Faithful]

When the winds are blowing on shore and the water is boiling out against them with the falling tide from the Merrimack River it stands up some nice seas. Never been there but have heard about it from a vendor of mine who used to live up there. I hear there is some good plug casting for big blue fish and striped bass around there.

 

[DaleH]

OK Pardon my ignorance but why the big deal about a falling tide?

Great question actually!

The Merrimack River, inside the river, is a HUGE estuary, though way less in scope than the Chesapeake where you boat. But imagine average 9'6" tides and that huge inside body of water dumping out, ALL of that water flowing out through a channel not 100-yards wide that faces the sea. The sheer volume of water exiting produces standing waves 6-8' high, like serious, serious rapids. Think Oregon Inlet or any other dangerous river mouth on the continental U.S. shores.

I myself have seen God there twice. That's enough for one lifetime! I had a friend that rolled his 32' fly bridge Luhrs cabin cruiser one day when the sailboat ahead of him lost power right adjacent to the granite jetty. At that spot, the channel wasn't 30-yards wide. He had to cut power to avoid the sailboat and he rolled in the standing waves. His wife was wiith him on the flying bridge and the waves breaking were right next to her when he rolled the boat.

... to this day she's never stepped aboard another boat! ... and the boat was sold. She said "Either the boat goes ... or I do." ... just hope he made the right decision ...

 

[Themis]

Wow Dale.

Earlier this summer I went out Manasquan Inlet in my Whaler on what I thought was a nice enough day. The tide was outgoing, and the wids were not supposed to be onshore until later.

My oldest son and I motored out 1 mile out of the inlet over about 5 foot waves. It ws nervewracking and I wish we didnt do it. On the way back in, just as in the video, we went surfing, careful to stay atop the same wave all the way back in.

I wish we didnt do it, but I am glad now that I know how to. I think.

 

[TheOtherLine]

we went surfing, careful to stay atop the same wave all the way back in.

Well, I've never boated up north. I've been boating in FL waters all my life and as far as I know, there are no 9' tidal changes anywhere on the west coast of FL. I get the concept of mass volume passing through a narrow exit.

I will probably never have a chance to experience those conditions, but I am curious. Is the response above the way you navigate that situation?

 

[DaleH]

we went surfing, careful to stay atop the same wave all the way back in.

I will probably never have a chance to experience those conditions, but I am curious. Is the response above the way you navigate that situation?

'Staying' with or in line the forward movement of the waves - yes - but not sure I'd describe it as surfing per se. But I'm sure in the small Whaler close to the water, it should seemed it to Sal!

 

[SamR]

Cape Ann vs. Cape Cod

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-FG-Fm7zxA

 

[caddyflyby]

Themis... you should come down and try the Barnegat Inlet if you had that much fun! It can be rough on a normal day, but then throw in the boat traffic and offshore winds and it really builds. And to make matters worse there is a huge sandbar building up in the middle of the inlet with breakers on it now. I hope the Army Engineers come soon...

 

[CaptainJim]

manasquan inlet and shark river inlet are pretty treacherous. Fire island inlet was pretty scary this winter - was delivering a headboat to West Sayville, screaming otugoing tide, southwest wind.

Surfed a 65' gilliken over the bars at 5 knots.. not fun

 

[Megabyte]

Cool video of that 47 MLB!

Lots of nasty inlets all up and down the east coast.

Indian River Inlet in DE can be exciting (and damm dangerous!), but the worst I've encountered so far was Charleston SC on an outgoing tide and an easterly @ 25 kts.

Pushed a 46 Meridian around like it was a toy!
When we finally got to the dock, we had a good bit of water in the gennie compartment, which means we were taking a lot of water over our transom on the way in. :shock:

Lucky for us, we were too busy to notice!

 

[Themis]

caddyfly,

Barnegat Inlet is what I usually go out of, and you are right for sure. Maybe I need my Parker back!

 

[TheOtherLine]

Cool video of that 47 MLB!

Pushed a 46 Meridian around like it was a toy!

:shock: I think I'll limit my boating to FL :shock: