Waterspout
- Ixneigh
- Admiral
- Posts: 2225
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key largo Florida
Waterspout
Got a pretty up close but thankfully not too personal view of one of these, from start to finish. I was at anchor, so not much time to take evasive action but after watching for a moment it appeared to be moving roughly across my stern. It started as a just a small area of spray on the waters surface, and then the “spout” soon became visible. I sold the clip to a news place for 50 dollars. Getting hit by one of these at night is one of my pet phobias since I’ve had another close encounter years ago. At night. In a much much heavier keel boat.
Here’s a picture after it had fully formed and was well past the boat. This particular one was moving obliquely to the wind.
Ix
Here’s a picture after it had fully formed and was well past the boat. This particular one was moving obliquely to the wind.
Ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
- Jimmyt
- Admiral
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- Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 9:52 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Mobile AL 2013 26M, 60 Etec
Re: Waterspout
Yikes!
Jimmyt
P-Cub-Boo
2013 26M, Etec 60, roller Genoa, roller main
Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River
P-Cub-Boo
2013 26M, Etec 60, roller Genoa, roller main
Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River
- Be Free
- Admiral
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- Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:08 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Steinhatchee, FL
Re: Waterspout
They are impressive and fun to watch (at a distance). The last time I was offshore in the Keys we saw three of them simultaneously.
Here is a great video of one going through a mooring field.
Here is a great video of one going through a mooring field.
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
- Russ
- Admiral
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
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Re: Waterspout
Amazing the power that just ripped biminis off the boats.
Geniuses following the thing in a Jetski. What could go wrong?
--Russ
- Russ
- Admiral
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- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi
Re: Waterspout
I was thinking that also. Looks like maybe it passed just to the starboard of the cat.
--Russ
- Herschel
- Admiral
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Re: Waterspout
How it rocked the larger keel boats was a powerful demonstration of its force. And seeing the wake it left in the water as it moved at about the same speed as the jetski's. Amazing video.
- Ixneigh
- Admiral
- Posts: 2225
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key largo Florida
Re: Waterspout
It would def knock a Mac on her proverbial bum.
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
- Be Free
- Admiral
- Posts: 1340
- Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:08 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Steinhatchee, FL
Re: Waterspout
Been there. Done that. In my case it was probably a microburst. It laid me on my side and spun me around 360 degrees but the boat popped right back up. I had a scared crew (both were in the cabin when it hit) as well as a mess to clean up but the boat was unharmed.
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me