Boating and Sailing.pdf - Moja ladja

Water Spouts
Chapter 15: Weather You Like It or Not
A water spout is a waterborne tornado that comes out of the bottom of a strong thunderstorm.
Spouts don’t possess the power or size of a tornado ashore, but they are still strong
enough to damage a recreational boat in a direct hit. The spouts vary from 20 feet to several
hundred feet wide, and they come spiraling down from the bottom of low-hanging
cumulonimbus clouds.
Spouts are a scary sight, but they move slowly and can be outrun in a powerboat. (They’re
usually accompanied by wild thunderstorms and strong surface winds, though, and these
can be more of a problem than the waterspouts.) It’s not uncommon for offshore sailors to
have several in sight at once on a stormy summer afternoon off Florida—most seasoned
skippers in seaworthy boats keep their distance but don’t necessarily run for cover.
The bottom line is that weather can present some dangers afloat, and that discretion is the
better part of valor. Any time conditions are iffy and you have any doubt about your abilities
or those of your boat to handle the likely conditions, it’s better to stay at the docks
and play cards.
The Least You Need to Know
◆ Learn to use weather forecasts as they apply to your local area. Find an around-theclock
source you like and trust.
◆ Nature’s clues on approaching weather are always on the mark—learn to read them.
◆ Don’t try to out-tough dangerous weather—when the going gets tough, the tough
get going … for the docks!
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