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Just went out to check my lobster traps (see "most expensive lobster" below) and got caught in a "pop-up" afternoon thunderstorm. We were just out of the channel (about 2 miles from the dock) when we heard the rumble and saw the first flash of lightning. We immediately turned around and headed for home with the throttle pinned.
I could see the storm cloud was going to cut us off, and could tell we were going to get wet. Two choices, go through it, or try to outrun it south and lay up on the beach. I often wondered about bow dodgers and Bimini tops but thought I would never use one. I would be rethinking that on the dock.
Having no radar, or any other instruments for that matter, I thought it best to stay close rather than temp the shoals between me and the beach, and as I saw two commercial boats headed for the channel, I wanted to follow them in. There was a curtain of rain headed toward us that soon engulfed the first boat, then the lighthouse. I trimmed the engine to get more speed so I wouldn't loose the next lobster boat. I didn't want to be stuck in no-man's land ( or no man's "sea" in this case).
That is when we realized the rain was actually hail! Getting pelted by hail at 30 mph is not that fun, funny now, but not fun at the time. My forehead still stings.
My son and the dog hid under a sweatshirt, as I tried to see through my sunglasses that I had to keep on to keep the rain out my eyes, but could barely see through. Luckily I caught up to the second boat, snuggled up tight in his wake, slowed down, and took the soaking on the slow but safe ride in. I smiled at my son as I realized we had just made another lasting memory. Being a trooper, he smiled back. As we debriefed on the dock and went over the lessons learned, we decided we will take the bigger boat next time there is the threat of an afternoon thunderstorm.
Matt
P.S. Anyone selling a dodger cheap? . I'll trade you a sweatshirt!
Edited by Mtierney on 06/26/12 - 1:34 PM
1985 Newport 17 w/ 70 yamaha
Back in 1980 and 1981, I drove a motorcycle (HD) from Miami Beach Fl. to Mazatlan Mexico up the coast to San Franciso Ca. back across the country to Miami Beach Fl.. While in the mountains of Mexico me and my friend were hailed on for 2 hours with marble size hail.
I got hit by a June Bug in my right cheek just under my eye while doing about 65-70mph on my old 65' Triumph Boneville. I thought it was a rock that hit me and my face was covered with blood. When I got pulled over, I found out it wasn't blood but tears and a June Bug smashed on my cheek...stings just thinking about it.
. I'll trade you a sweatshirt!
