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!
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 .
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.
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!
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 .
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.