Waterspout

This is a place to document your trips with your boat. Tell us about your journeys. Share your experiences. Post your pictures.
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Ixneigh
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Waterspout

Post by Ixneigh »

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.
Image
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.
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Jimmyt
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Re: Waterspout

Post by Jimmyt »

Yikes!
Jimmyt
P-Cub-Boo
2013 26M, Etec 60, roller Genoa, roller main
Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River
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Be Free
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Re: Waterspout

Post by Be Free »

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.

Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
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Russ
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Re: Waterspout

Post by Russ »

Be Free wrote: Tue May 10, 2022 6:51 am Here is a great video of one going through a mooring field.
Amazing the power that just ripped biminis off the boats.

Geniuses following the thing in a Jetski. What could go wrong?
--Russ
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NiceAft
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Re: Waterspout

Post by NiceAft »

It was amazing how stable that catamaran was.
Ray ~~_/)~~
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Russ
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Re: Waterspout

Post by Russ »

NiceAft wrote: Tue May 10, 2022 3:38 pm It was amazing how stable that catamaran was.
I was thinking that also. Looks like maybe it passed just to the starboard of the cat.
--Russ
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Herschel
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Re: Waterspout

Post by Herschel »

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. :o :o :o :o :o
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Ixneigh
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Re: Waterspout

Post by Ixneigh »

It would def knock a Mac on her proverbial bum.
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
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Be Free
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Re: Waterspout

Post by Be Free »

Ixneigh wrote: Tue May 10, 2022 9:35 pm It would def knock a Mac on her proverbial bum.
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
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