www.iFourWinns.com

The weather forecast was 30-40% change of isolated and scattered T-storms. I'd been checking the RADAR all day and isolated pockets started to develop in the afternoon as they normally do in this type of weather. Then, they started to dissipate around 4pm or so we headed out.

Mind you we're nearly 20" below our average rainfall this year, so far. We're in year #2 of a severe drought. Nearly every day for the last week has been a "slight change of an isolated afternoon or evening thunderstorm." We haven't seen rain at the house for WEEKS. So, we went out and risked it.

Around 8pm the lighting was cloud to cloud then quickly got very loud and close. I left the camper canvas up in case it rained, then it RAINED. I could feel a mist coming through the canvas bimini it was so hard. The searchlight was only good for about 20' in front of me. The wind would whip us around (not as dramatic as it sounds) and the anchor would catch giving us a bit of a jolt. Thank goodness for setting the anchor properly, leaving an adequate amount of line and room to swing around!

It lasted about 30 minutes and it was to cloud to cloud lightning and eventually nothing. We didn't get much sleep, as you might imagine. Then this morning, a thick fog was all over. It was amazing to wake up to that. The peaceful serenity of the fog over the water and a 5K Kohler generator running... mmmm.

It was an experience for sure, and nothing really all that bad in the scheme of things. But, for a period of 15 minutes or so I was wishing we'd stayed at the slip!

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SOLD! 2006 30th Anniversary Vista 278
"Conch'd Out!"

http://vista278.com

I am not afraid of much in life.... But Lightning ranks at the TOP of that short list! That 1" or so of fiberglass and wood above your head in the cabin does not seem like much protection from a direct strike, plus there is so much metal around and FW cruisers are not lightning protected....

I think if I am out in a storm on the hook I will probably HIDE in the mid cabin like a baby

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Brett DiMichele

ShanMan, Sounds Like you Done Good! We have been out on the hook for the night twice already, in the middle of Lightning and Thunder and Rian! The 1st time, I was like you, very apprehensive, and hoping my anchor was set in good, but as you described, we actually enjoyed the experience. The serenity and smell of cleanliness all around us after the storm passed was really something to expereicne. Not that I would go out Chasing a Thunderstorm, but at least I am not as afraid of it as I was before that. I did lower my vhf antenna though just to be safe. Of course we were in a very protected cove, in only about 3' of water in a sandy bottom, only about 50 yards off the beach! I would most definitely be scared out of my witts, if that happened out on the open water!
Glad all worked out well for you!

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'04 FW 268Vista "Andiamo"

Yes, I was going through contingency plans in my head all the while, i.e. What I would do in any given situation. I enjoy a good T-storm, though having my family on a boat during one was a bit on the frightening side at times.

I'll tell you this much. I'm getting some 303 for the canvas, that sucker kept the drenching rain out but it was like a Maid of the Mist tour during the torrential downpour.

_________________
SOLD! 2006 30th Anniversary Vista 278
"Conch'd Out!"

http://vista278.com