Was taking a Tayana 37 from Plymouth to Onset. Was passed in the canal by a sportfish on full plane. Gentleman with me wanted to bet if his engines would break free and go through the transom or just go through the bottom of the boat when he hit the square waves at the exit just pass the army corp station and mass maritime. Neither occurred. He went airborne snapping the transmissions, couplings or shafts when he landed. We could hear engine noise but he was no longer going forward. He put out a mayday. The corp responded “you will run ground. Once you do walk up the rocks and get your citation “. Later heard he was cited for unseamanlike behavior, speeding, reckless behavior. Boat was probably $1-3 m as it was a 60’er. Apparently insurance wouldn’t cover the total loss that occurred.
Even on a sailboat when the wind is blowing up Buzzards Bay with the square waves slow down and hit them perpendicular. Surf down at a slight angle. A true wind against water situation.
Tide in BB rises and falls slightly out of synchrony with Mass Bay. It’s this that produces the strong current. Mass bay is a large body of water c/w BB. Mass bay is deep c/w BB. So the current is strong at times.
Ya know, always diddling around rhode island, narragansett bay and providence river with the rear occasion of heading out block island I've realized my seamanship skills are sorely lacking(I believe).
That said, I was happy with my ability to maneuver through the waves for over 2 hrs like a champ.I had some blue water over the bow a couple times going through the end of the canal but I made it through. Yeah I did poop my pants a couple times but I never lost control of myself. I was always in control.
I've come to understand and respect the weather report a great deal. I understand now what a southwest wind means here in buzzards bay and how treacherous things can get. Seeing that flag blow certain way. Things I've taken for granted are now in the forefront.
As crazy as this sounds,, I'm extremely mad at myself for not seeing what I saw literally right in front of me because I put myself and possibly others at risk of my stupid AND inexperienced decision to depart when I did. But I am happy that I got to see what I saw and in the end nobody got hurt.
I've always been saftey minded but sometimes it's our own actions that gets us in trouble. I do have a couple of issues that are rather serious for the boat that I have systems in place ready to go just in case the $hit hits the fan.
I knew no matter the problem I would have out there I would be able to deal with it. I knew the only thing I had to watch out for was the weather. And the one thing that I didn't know enough about was the weather.
All I had to do is call canal control or towboatus and they would of given me am actual hands on report of the weather there,,,, and I didn't do it. For politically correct and educated nice people here,, this makes me irresponsible! For the everyday folk,,, that makes me stupid!
I prefer the latter. Remember, and this goes to those who are here lurking and wondering if they want to get into boating, remember, it's not just your life out there if your going solo like me. If something happens to you out there you have to remember, the people coming to help or save you are putting there lives on the line for YOUR decisions.
So don't be like me, Mr. STUPID! If you're not 100% confident on making a trip, either ask for help or wait it out. And if you are smart enough to wait it out,,, while you wait, ask for advice from others around.
Nothing wrong with listening to others. Just understand that there will be those that are full of $hit. And those you have to try your best to weed out.
