43 12.32 N 075 32.36 W
We just got all shook up. Specifically, I was below working on this computer and Libby was on watch. Suddenly the boat rocked violently. The rocking increased in violence with each of the next three or four rolls. All I could do was to hug the computer and try to prevent it from flying away. All over the rest of the cabin things were flying through the air. Never has Tarwathie been rocked so hard; not even out at sea in a gale.
When it subsided after 9-10 rolls, I heard Libby say, "DICK GET UP HERE QUICK!" I rushed up. Libby pointed forward. The mast appeared to have hopped off the cradle. It looked as if it was ready to fall overboard.
I rushed up, and asked Libby to come help. We tried lifting the mast. We needed only 1/4 inch of lift to slide it back into place. No go. It is much too heavy for the two of us. We couldn't lift even a millimeter. We won't be able to put it back into place until we get help from 2-3 strong men. We'll have to do that tied up to shore someplace.
Examining further. I see that it didn't slide all the way off. The numerous safety lines I had tied all up and down the mast did the job. They prevented it from moving too far. The cradle was still supporting the weight, although the mast was on on edge, not on the side. (see the picture I just took) I added a few more lines to prevent further motion and we continue on.
Glad no one got hurt. Amazing how careless, or stupid some boaters can be. Was it done on purpose? Who knows. We had a power boat in a narrow shallow channel in the Bay of Quinte, come straight at us. I needed the middle as it was only about 7 ft, and he refused to move, even with the horn. I could see him, so I imagine he could see me. A last minute turn by us, and we just missed. I was so hopping mad, I entertained thoughts of using the flare gun. He rocked us bad, and I can only imagine if Deb was below making tea, or something, how bad that could have turned out. The guy was smiling as he went by. Now I keep a camera handy, with video.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're alright. If you stop in Fairport, give me an e-mail. I can pick your brain on cruising.
Paul
Sodus Bay NY
Dis-masting question: I have been looking at W32's and some have a hinge point on deck (tabernacle?). I had a 16' boat with a hinged mast and was able to use the boom and tackle to lower/raise it myself. Do you think it would be possible to do the same on a W32 with it's bigger stick?
ReplyDeleteAs to the wake issue - if you think boaters have lost courtesy/seamanship/common sense I'd invite you back out on the highways or even in congested pedestrian areas. I think it used to be that a stupid maneuver like that WOULD get you fired upon (see above post), so people were a lot less likely to do it. Now the laws are on their side and God help you.
Likewise glad no one was injured and no damage done.
R
Keep the binoculars handy, seems feasible that you'll cross paths with this jerk again in the next week or so, given the small size of the canal/lake area you are in right now. BTW what is the contraption that is holding up the mast in that picture? It looks like a jig with the 10 different uses but I don't remember ever seeing it onboard.
ReplyDelete-dave
I had the same thing happen to me on the Hudson by Albany. The mast was down and on a cradle and we were waked bad. We saw it coming and quartered the waves but we still almost lost the mast. I got on the VHF and shouted a warning to everyone. The idiot must have heard me because he slowed down.
ReplyDeleteHowever, here's a tip that I learned from a delivery captain- he said that oftentimes he has to pass sailboats at a speed that causes a pretty good wake. If the sailboat is motoring at, say, six knots, he has to pass at ten knots. If the sailboat would slow down, he could pass it at a much lower, low wake speed. You might try hailing passing powerboats on the VHF to arrange a pass, especially when your mast is down.