Scary moments on the water 2024

Today I had my scariest moment on the water.  First time out for the year on the boat (18 ft Ranger w/150), Lake Roosevelt Wa, reservoir of Columbia River.  25 mph winds, group of guys at launch with smaller boat say they are going to try and wait out the wind before they go out, I wasn't as smart.  Got about 100-150 yards out going into the current and crashed into a wave so hard that a massive amount of water came onto the boat, enough to smash the drivers side windshield right in front of me and flood the boat to the point of nearly sinking.  Put the bilge on and it started working hard.  As this is going on I'm trying to mentally prepare for disaster, swimming about 100 yards to shore in 35 degree water and 25 mph gusts as my boat sinks.  Terrible feeling.  Thankfully the bilge did good and I started my nerve racking journey back to the ramp.  So grateful I made it!  What a 20-30 minute ordeal!  All I can say is know the limitations of your boat and don't be stubborn to the point of putting yourself or anyone else in danger.  The elements can be ruthless.

What are some of your scariest moments on the water?

Count your blessings! I've had too many and I don't even like to think about them ;D

Big O

www.ragetail.com

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Count your blessings! I've had too many and I don't even like to think about them ;D

Big O

www.ragetail.com

I certainly have been today! 

Scary indeed. Glad that you and the boat both got back to the ramp...and a MAJOR blessing that you were only 100 yards out................and not in the middle of the lake. The books say you can become incapacited in 15 minutes in 30s water - not much time to get out of trouble or for someone to come get you.

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Scary indeed. Glad that you and the boat both got back to the ramp...and a MAJOR blessing that you were only 100 yards out................and not in the middle of the lake. The books say you can become incapacited in 15 minutes in 30s water - not much time to get out of trouble or for someone to come get you.

Thank you!  At first I thought one of my major mistakes was going into the current, and then I realized it could have actually saved me.  If I would have gone with the current, I could have gone miles, and then had the daunting task off getting back to the ramp into the current, another little blessing of the situation.

Thanks for your post fisheranatomy. I have sometimes taken foolish risks wading in rivers all to catch fish. The older I get, the wiser I become. This is just a nice reminder for me to always keep my wits about me while close to water.

I would have never thought that you could get in that much trouble from waves. I guess its just something I've never thought about.

Is there like a boater's safety course one can take?

Carlos

You story serves as a great reminder that it is always better to be safe and call it a day then to take chances that might have tragic consequences. I am glad you are OK. I had something similar happen to be 20 years ago and learned a good lesson. I was heading out of Port Everglades inlet (Ft Lauderdale) into the Atlantic ocean with two friends in my 17' Formula. This boat handled 3-4 chop and swell many times. I was not overly concerned. The forecast called for 2-4 seas. Well as we approached the breakwater, I could see that the swells were much higher, maybe 4-6'. The outgoing tide was strong. I was at the point of no return. I started having second thoughts and my buddies were egging me on to go out. We crashed out through the break water about a 1/4 mile out to try to attempt the turn around. I realized that we were in deep doo doo and my buddies were holding on. The swells were 4-6'. I had to do the turn around quickly on the top/down slope of the swell and accelerate before the upcoming crest could slow the boat down and swamp us from behind. I made the turn and the Evinrude 140 did not let me down, we got on top of the swell as it crested and throttled the motor to match the speed of the wave as we surfed back through the inlet. The decision to go out was stupid, but some of the decisions I made in the moment saved my boat and possibly our lives. We were all good swimmers, but you never know how things can turn out.

Glad you're safe.

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You story serves as a great reminder that it is always better to be safe and call it a day then to take chances that might have tragic consequences. I am glad you are OK. I had something similar happen to be 20 years ago and learned a good lesson. I was heading out of Port Everglades inlet (Ft Lauderdale) into the Atlantic ocean with two friends in my 17' Formula. This boat handled 3-4 chop and swell many times. I was not overly concerned. The forecast called for 2-4 seas. Well as we approached the breakwater, I could see that the swells were much higher, maybe 4-6'. The outgoing tide was strong. I was at the point of no return. I started having second thoughts and my buddies were egging me on to go out. We crashed out through the break water about a 1/4 mile out to try to attempt the turn around. I realized that we were in deep doo doo and my buddies were holding on. The swells were 4-6'. I had to do the turn around quickly on the top/down slope of the swell and accelerate before the upcoming crest could slow the boat down and swamp us from behind. I made the turn and the Evinrude 140 did not let me down, we got on top of the swell as it crested and throttled the motor to match the speed of the wave as we surfed back through the inlet. The decision to go out was stupid, but some of the decisions I made in the moment saved my boat and possibly our lives. We were all good swimmers, but you never know how things can turn out.

Wow, that was really a close one, thanks for sharing.

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Thanks for your post fisheranatomy. I have sometimes taken foolish risks wading in rivers all to catch fish. The older I get, the wiser I become. This is just a nice reminder for me to always keep my wits about me while close to water.

I would have never thought that you could get in that much trouble from waves. I guess its just something I've never thought about.

Is there like a boater's safety course one can take?

Carlos

You know Carlos, I kind of knew better too, but not fully.  I had been saying all week "if the wind is bad. I'm better off fishing from shore."  Sometimes I get so exited to fish....well I always get so exited to fish, but sometimes it blurs my judgement and I make bad decisions.  I was overconfident in my ability yesterday and put my boat in a situation it just isn't best suited for.  I'm putting it in the memory bank for sure!

Also, certain states like Wa have a mandatory boaters education course.  You have to pass the course and carry the card on the water at all times, like registration or insurance.

Anthony

Glad you made it back safe & sound. We all have done some dumb things chasing fish before. My buddy & I launched my 18 foot lund a couple of years ago at bay of Quinte. It was late November & the water temps were in the middle 30's. I was in the boat waiting at the dock while my buddy pulled the trailer out & parked it. He came down to the dock & got in. We idled out from the dock letting the 150 yammi 4 stroke engine warm up. After a couple minutes I hit the throttle to get on plane  but the bow stayed up but would not level off. I looked around then saw the stern was filled with water. I turned on the manual bilge but it was to late to deal with all the water . We raced over to the dock & I yelled at my buddy to back the freaking trailer back down as fast as he could. We finally got the boat on the trailer & pulled it out. It took about 20 minutes to drain all the water out. We then realized we had not put the plug in before launching. That cold water is very unforgiving when you screw up. We will never forget that day.

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Glad you made it back safe & sound. We all have done some dumb things chasing fish before. My buddy & I launched my 18 foot lund a couple of years ago at bay of Quinte. It was late November & the water temps were in the middle 30's. I was in the boat waiting at the dock while my buddy pulled the trailer out & parked it. He came down to the dock & got in. We idled out from the dock letting the 150 yammi 4 stroke engine warm up. After a couple minutes I hit the throttle to get on plane but the bow stayed up but would not level off. I looked around then saw the stern was filled with water. I turned on the manual bilge but it was to late to deal with all the water . We raced over to the dock & I yelled at my buddy to back the freaking trailer back down as fast as he could. We finally got the boat on the trailer & pulled it out. It took about 20 minutes to drain all the water out. We then realized we had not put the plug in before launching. That cold water is very unforgiving when you screw up. We will never forget that day.

This has happened to me as well. Thankfully it was July and the water was warm.

Amen to dumb things in the pursuit of fish.

I'm glad you're ok.

Fishing a tournament on Watauga Lake in extreme eastern TN (about 15 miles from NC) last spring.  About 45 boats gathered at the mouth of the creek waiting to blast off.  Just before daylight, severe T-storm moves through.  Lake went from flat calm to 2-3' waves.  Wind picked up to 20-25.

Lake lays in a long E-W valley.  We're taking off from the dam and I've got a 8 or 9 mile run to my first spot.  We blast off and as soon as I hit the main lake (I run a Tracker PT185), I knew we were in for a fun ride.  We were going with the wind, so it wasn't too bad.  Still did a lot of wave hopping.  Got nice and wet too.

Wind never let up all day.  We ended up working our way back up the river, almost as far as you can go.  Got into a few fish, wasn't paying attention to the wind.  As we started fishing our way back towards the main lake, wind started picking up again.

Heading back to the ramp, 3-5' waves and we're going into them.  Speared a couple of waves, stayed pretty dry though.  My back wasn't right for a week.

That was one of the two or three times I've ever been scared on the water.  Another time was on KY Lake at the Roadtrip in 09.  Fivebasslimit and I fishing on the E side of the lake, wind really picked up from the W.  Hella-big waves coming right at us as we made our way back across to Hester's.

Even in a 22' boat, that was a scary ride.  I didn't want to make that crossing.  Didn't say anything to 5bass, but I almost shat myself a few times.

Before almost every trip my mind can't help but wander to the endless things that can go wrong and the dangers we really face as outdoors man and avid anglers.  I say a little prayer almost every time before I leave my driveway........from now on they will be longer and more sincere.

i was running 50 mph through thick fog and missed a guy who was anchored in the channel by about 4 feet.

You are very fortunate.  I am glad you are safe.  I'll bet you were shaking when you made it back to the bank.

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i was running 50 mph through thick fog and missed a guy who was anchored in the channel by about 4 feet.

I remember when you posted that........real scary!

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You are very fortunate. I am glad you are safe. I'll bet you were shaking when you made it back to the bank.

Thanks!  I was just praying to make it back! Once I did I was embarrassed and mad that it had happened.

Me and my friend decided to head down to Clinton lake for a day of fishing. We got to the ramp around 6 a.m. and it is packed. We wait in line and finally launch. Im holding the boat against the dock and i see a dad letting his son drive the boat in the busy marina area. The kid is 10 at the oldest. The boat was a deep V with a 115. All of a sudden this kid throttles down and smashes into two other boats and misses mine by a mere 6 feet. Everyone was ok.

After that ordeal we head out to a cove. This lake is notorious for its high winds. We fish for a good 2 hours and decide to move down lake. We get out of the cover of the cove and there is 2-4 foot waves. I have a Pro Crappie 175 with a 40 mercury. I make it about a half mile and decided to head in. I have never been more scared in my life. My buddy wanted me to go find another cove. I told him if he wants to fish, he can have the boat and keys and go risk his life. Im not. We found a spot on shore to fish and caught 50+ crappies and several bass and catfish.

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Me and my friend decided to head down to Clinton lake for a day of fishing. We got to the ramp around 6 a.m. and it is packed. We wait in line and finally launch. Im holding the boat against the dock and i see a dad letting his son drive the boat in the busy marina area. The kid is 10 at the oldest. The boat was a deep V with a 115. All of a sudden this kid throttles down and smashes into two other boats and misses mine by a mere 6 feet. Everyone was ok.

After that ordeal we head out to a cove. This lake is notorious for its high winds. We fish for a good 2 hours and decide to move down lake. We get out of the cover of the cove and there is 2-4 foot waves. I have a Pro Crappie 175 with a 40 mercury. I make it about a half mile and decided to head in. I have never been more scared in my life. My buddy wanted me to go find another cove. I told him if he wants to fish, he can have the boat and keys and go risk his life. Im not. We found a spot on shore to fish and caught 50+ crappies and several bass and catfish.

Wow, all of that in one day!  Turned out to be a success though.  The waves I was in were probably 2-3'.

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i was running 50 mph through thick fog and missed a guy who was anchored in the channel by about 4 feet.

i really hope you learned your lesson after that. you put your life and the lives of others in danger, and there is no excuse for pure stupidity. theres so many other dangers on the water to worry about than having to deal with people being idiots too. sorry, dont mean to sound like im calling names, but one would think that you would realize now that running through thick fog at 50mph was a pretty stupid thing to do. you might be a smart person overall, but your actions at the time are inexcusable in my eyes...

My brother hit a floating dock a couple weeks ago that had floated into the middle of the channel on SML. It was 6:30 in the morning the dock was floating flush with the surface of the water impossible to see at that time of the morning at any speed. He was runnning just fast enough to keep boat on plane but still fast enough to bust his lip on the steering wheel.

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i was running 50 mph through thick fog and missed a guy who was anchored in the channel by about 4 feet.

Not trying to pick a fight but why were you going that fast in thick fog? This is, of course, a rhetorical question. I hope you aren't attributing all the blame on the anchored fellow.

I've been in 2 hair raising trips .

1st time was on a backwater lake of the IL. River and a tornado came through. Talk about a surprise, IT was supposed to be a beautiful day, Freak Storm I reckon, We watched it pass us by about 1/2 mile. Scared the snot out of me.

2nd time was on the Mississippi River. My Grandparents had a cabin by Ft. Madison, IA and we were fishing a protected creek. When we came out the white caps were huge!  Watched a bass boat running wide open literally flip over in front of us. No one was hurt thankfully, and thank god Gramps kept us close to the bank and running safely.

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I've been in 2 hair raising trips .

1st time was on a backwater lake of the IL. River and a tornado came through. Talk about a surprise, IT was supposed to be a beautiful day, Freak Storm I reckon, We watched it pass us by about 1/2 mile. Scared the snot out of me.

2nd time was on the Mississippi River. My Grandparents had a cabin by Ft. Madison, IA and we were fishing a protected creek. When we came out the white caps were huge! Watched a bass boat running wide open literally flip over in front of us. No one was hurt thankfully, and thank god Gramps kept us close to the bank and running safely.

Was that the tornado that hit Utica? We were fishing the vermillion when it hit. We heard the rumble but couldnt see anything. We walked up the large hill and there were trees and debris everywhere. I wasnt very scared during the storm because i didnt know there was a tornado going on, but when i got up on the hill it hit me on how lucky i was to still be alive.

I went down to the Potomac for a tournament a few years back and got to the ramp to pre fish. I looked out and thought, man that looks bad but just drove 3 to 4 hours to get here I am going! Got out there in my 20 foot ranger and soon realized I should not be! Luckily I was able to get back quickly and without hurting anything. Now if it looks bad I just go and grab a bite to eat!

It's always better to be on the shore wishing you were on the water than to be on the water wishing you were on the shore. Be safe out there....CoBass

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i was running 50 mph through thick fog and missed a guy who was anchored in the channel by about 4 feet.

i really hope you learned your lesson after that. you put your life and the lives of others in danger, and there is no excuse for pure stupidity. theres so many other dangers on the water to worry about than having to deal with people being idiots too. sorry, dont mean to sound like im calling names, but one would think that you would realize now that running through thick fog at 50mph was a pretty stupid thing to do. you might be a smart person overall, but your actions at the time are inexcusable in my eyes...

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