Lumpy
Labor Day week was pretty good for boating, sunny and mild with a moderately strong daily breeze. Many sailboats took advantage of the weather, along with a few powerboats which bounced around a bit in the wind-induced mix of chop and swells. It was in dealing with this “lumpy” mix that a few thoughts occurred to me.
One point was to know the capabilities of you and your boat. The confused water made the boat bounce all over the place, requiring focus and experience to keep safely on course.
Another point was to make sure your safety equipment: anchor, PFDs, radios, etc. is in working order and available, as one lobster pot buoy spotted too late in the large swells could incapacitate a power boat quickly and in a serious way.
A third point was to plan, in advance, what the options might be to traverse particularly dangerous spots, such as between some of the islands and the mainland where the wave height could rise dramatically due to the funneling effect.
You’re probably very familiar with these points and others. I suggest you put your knowledge to work to ensure a safe outcome for all those aboard.
