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Ken Van Camp's avatar

Great story and wonderful sense of humor! I too got stuck in the Lake Harris hydrilla a few years ago - my first time sailing on the lake. I put in at the ramp on rt. 27 and thought I was clear when I noticed I was no longer going anywhere! And no steerage!

Luckily I keep a mask and bathing suit on board, and I have a swimming ladder. I went overboard (my wife keeping an eye out for gators) and within 5 minutes had my centerboard cleared. Luckily my O'Day 192 sails well with the swing keel up, so now I never put it down anymore on that lake!

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DAVID C. BEACH's avatar

WOW, what an episode of near terror! And, unfortunately, stories of un-helpful people. Glad to hear you survived enough to go back out and get the "tack" process covered .

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Don Hodges's avatar

Boat trailers are credited with spreading hydrilla from lake to lake. Your story would be complete if you had blinding sheets of chilly rain during the wait.

A question: was it not possible to clear the trunk and rudder enough to paddle out of the weed? $500 would be quite an incentive for me.

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