How about “All of the Above?” I left Campbell River, BC to cross the Strait of Georgia with a promising forecast, when ambushed by a wicked combination of Wind, Strong Currents Against Wind, Monster Waves and then Fire Onboard when sea boots flying around the cabin struck old wiring, causing a short that ignited. (Oh, and about that time the dinghy broke loose, quickly disappearing astern in the rollers.) After dousing the fire, we turned back and miraculously found and snagged the dinghy. We finally made it across, greatly humbled, to shelter in False Bay on Lasqueti Island, where I only recall wine and a long, deeply fitful sleep. The next day was glassy calm, as we continued to Desolation Sound.
Having been a USCG Surfman on the Columbia River Bar and the Quillayute bars for 8 years I would have to report that Breaking surf on any inlet poses the most extreme danger for any small boat attempting to cross. I have seen many attempt crossings when they should have stayed home or stayed outside till weather abates. Unfortunately, they all don't realize the danger they are in until it's too late. Some skippers are plain lucky and make it across without incident, but many do not. The Coast Guard does a good job of restricting bar crossings for recreational traffic during periods of rough weather. Although even with those restrictions in place there are still boaters who ignore the warnings and attempt to cross. My boat crew and I have recovered numerous boaters in distress on the bar but not all are so lucky, when we have to recover bodies then the job is not so rewarding. So, I constantly remind folks who are attempting to navigate the bars on the Northwest coast to heed the CG warnings and pay close attention to not only the weather but the tides which can lead to significantly larger waves and breaking seas.
Waves and wind. 50 to 60 knots of wind 25 to 30 foot waves with much white water cascading over my decks. But my sturdy little Tahiti ketch just shook it off and soldiered on under reefed jib
I'd say the waves are the worst. You can always reduce sail to bare poles (I have done that) but the only way to mitigate waves is to find shelter behind land - and that is not always possible.
Waves was the worst for me also, a Victoria 18, sails stowed on the spars, boat handling the wind fine BUT the waves submersing the Honda 2.3 air cooled, the engine dying, and trying to restart it from a pitching minuscule poop deck.
Nothing like a fast moving squall that overtakes you (wind and waves) as you try to dowse the sails and motor back into the protected anchorage. Of course, that surprise led to sails in the water and lines wrapped around the prop of the already-running motor... Good thing I was younger then and could get it untangled while hanging over the transom. In the flurry of activity, I forgot to open the vent on the external gas tank so the motor died at an inopportune time, adding to the calamity. We got back with a great story to tell.
Other. Lightning and a too close water spout were my most unnerving times on the water.
The water spout was in a kayak in Belize. The lightning was on Lake Erie not far from my 30’ lightning rod(I mean spar). Seeing lightning hit the water is an awesome event. Jim Smith
Wind/waves (seas). A mistral in the Mediterranean which required the 4.400 ton, 75,000 shp DDG USS Charles F. Adams to heave to, and ripped off ladders and tore the motor whaleboat, securely chocked on the 01 level, out of its cradle.
In a small boat, a sudden norther created wind and waves sufficient to chasten me as I returned from the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico in an O'Day 23.
Wind really dictates where you can go in a small human powered boat, even in sheltered waters without much fetch to build up big waves. If you don't have good downwind options when the wind picks up past what you can row or paddle into, it's not a good thing.
In a true gale, the combination of howling-whistling wind, flying spray and waves crashing creat a truly violent experience that hammers all the senses with its combination of visual , extremely loud sounds and crazy motion.
Wind over 40 knots and subsequent wave action, but I was having a pretty good time until I saw my neighbour’s Contessa 26 was dismasted in that blow. I got into the marina unscathed.
How about “All of the Above?” I left Campbell River, BC to cross the Strait of Georgia with a promising forecast, when ambushed by a wicked combination of Wind, Strong Currents Against Wind, Monster Waves and then Fire Onboard when sea boots flying around the cabin struck old wiring, causing a short that ignited. (Oh, and about that time the dinghy broke loose, quickly disappearing astern in the rollers.) After dousing the fire, we turned back and miraculously found and snagged the dinghy. We finally made it across, greatly humbled, to shelter in False Bay on Lasqueti Island, where I only recall wine and a long, deeply fitful sleep. The next day was glassy calm, as we continued to Desolation Sound.
I know those waters and can only imagine. “Humbled” is a good word.
Stupidity
Having been a USCG Surfman on the Columbia River Bar and the Quillayute bars for 8 years I would have to report that Breaking surf on any inlet poses the most extreme danger for any small boat attempting to cross. I have seen many attempt crossings when they should have stayed home or stayed outside till weather abates. Unfortunately, they all don't realize the danger they are in until it's too late. Some skippers are plain lucky and make it across without incident, but many do not. The Coast Guard does a good job of restricting bar crossings for recreational traffic during periods of rough weather. Although even with those restrictions in place there are still boaters who ignore the warnings and attempt to cross. My boat crew and I have recovered numerous boaters in distress on the bar but not all are so lucky, when we have to recover bodies then the job is not so rewarding. So, I constantly remind folks who are attempting to navigate the bars on the Northwest coast to heed the CG warnings and pay close attention to not only the weather but the tides which can lead to significantly larger waves and breaking seas.
Waves and wind. 50 to 60 knots of wind 25 to 30 foot waves with much white water cascading over my decks. But my sturdy little Tahiti ketch just shook it off and soldiered on under reefed jib
I'd say the waves are the worst. You can always reduce sail to bare poles (I have done that) but the only way to mitigate waves is to find shelter behind land - and that is not always possible.
Waves was the worst for me also, a Victoria 18, sails stowed on the spars, boat handling the wind fine BUT the waves submersing the Honda 2.3 air cooled, the engine dying, and trying to restart it from a pitching minuscule poop deck.
Nothing like a fast moving squall that overtakes you (wind and waves) as you try to dowse the sails and motor back into the protected anchorage. Of course, that surprise led to sails in the water and lines wrapped around the prop of the already-running motor... Good thing I was younger then and could get it untangled while hanging over the transom. In the flurry of activity, I forgot to open the vent on the external gas tank so the motor died at an inopportune time, adding to the calamity. We got back with a great story to tell.
Lightning Storms with strikes all around we’re the worst.
Actually wind, waves, and cold.
Makes sense. Dang poll feature doesn’t allow us enough options.
My scariest times on 4 different trailer sailboats have involved: lake Roosevelt Az, July Monsoon storm cells, outflow winds, and lightning.
Other. Lightning and a too close water spout were my most unnerving times on the water.
The water spout was in a kayak in Belize. The lightning was on Lake Erie not far from my 30’ lightning rod(I mean spar). Seeing lightning hit the water is an awesome event. Jim Smith
Wind/waves (seas). A mistral in the Mediterranean which required the 4.400 ton, 75,000 shp DDG USS Charles F. Adams to heave to, and ripped off ladders and tore the motor whaleboat, securely chocked on the 01 level, out of its cradle.
In a small boat, a sudden norther created wind and waves sufficient to chasten me as I returned from the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico in an O'Day 23.
Wind really dictates where you can go in a small human powered boat, even in sheltered waters without much fetch to build up big waves. If you don't have good downwind options when the wind picks up past what you can row or paddle into, it's not a good thing.
Surf crossing a bar at a river entrance. Broached but the board was up and slid sideways. Log recorded 20 knots.
I clicked “wind” but waves are a close second.
In a true gale, the combination of howling-whistling wind, flying spray and waves crashing creat a truly violent experience that hammers all the senses with its combination of visual , extremely loud sounds and crazy motion.
Got hit by a microburst. Put the mast in the water under bare poles, now carry an extra NOAA weather radio with hazard alert siren.
Wind over 40 knots and subsequent wave action, but I was having a pretty good time until I saw my neighbour’s Contessa 26 was dismasted in that blow. I got into the marina unscathed.