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Busy weekend on the big lake

5Cent

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
12,490
224
North Central Ohio
Every weekend is busy up here. I'm still waiting for this year's go fast boat winner. One will usually smoke a break wall, beach it on a sandbar, or just flat out come out of the water and dock on the shoreline somewhere lol.


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5Cent

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
12,490
224
North Central Ohio
I grew up with Erie in the back yard, have been on 2 boats that needed towed. 1 we were tubing with friends, engine wouldn't restart. The 2nd was my cousins and we hit a drift log by Edison bridge that ripped off the lower unit. We were going down quick no matter how much we tried to help the bilge🤣.

Seen 2 go up in flames, thankfully noone hurt. Was almost swamped by the Jet Express's wake when fishing green side of channel in the bay in a 14' open bow. Same swamped situation in same 14' aftwr getting beat by the big boys coming back into the bay as a storm whipped in......stuff happens, just make sure you have the best chance to float after ringing the radio. Thank GOD for the coast guard, and local depts. on the water. Never a dull day.
 
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"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
57,845
274
North Carolina
Fire is a major concern on a boat. Most boats that get swamped won’t sink, you just a hang on to them as long as you can…
 
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Bigcountry40

Member
4,632
127
I grew with Erie in the back yard, have been on 2 boats that needed towed. 1 we were tubing with friends, engine wouldn't restart. The 2nd was my cousins and we hit a drift log by Edison bridge that ripped off the lower unit. We were going down quick no matter how much we tried to help the bilge🤣.

Seen 2 go up in flames, thankfully noone hurt. Was almost swamped by the Jet Express's wake when fishing green side of channel in the bay in a 14' open bow. Same swamped situation in same 14' aftwr getting beat by the big boys coming back into the bay as a storm whipped in......stuff happens, just make sure you have the best chance to float after ringing the radio. Thank GOD for the coast guard, and local depts. on the water. Never a dull day.
Almost died a handful of times on Lake Erie as a teenager, like Gern said that lake can fugg up the most experienced boaters. The most remembered account I can recall is the Pooch boys and I were perch fishing somewhere off Kelley’s and were racing a storm for our limit, we got our 90 then got caught in what I remember to be the equivalent to the “Perfect Storm”. Our parents were pissed because we weren’t supposed to leave the bay by cedar point 😂. In the western basin if that wind switches (just like ice fishing) you don’t leave now, but right now depending on your boat size.
 

5Cent

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
12,490
224
North Central Ohio
Almost died a handful of times on Lake Erie as a teenager, like Gern said that lake can fugg up the most experienced boaters. The most remembered account I can recall is the Pooch boys and I were perch fishing somewhere off Kelley’s and were racing a storm for our limit, we got our 90 then got caught in what I remember to be the equivalent to the “Perfect Storm”. Our parents were pissed because we weren’t supposed to leave the bay by cedar point 😂. In the western basin if that wind switches (just like ice fishing) you don’t leave now, but right now depending on your boat size.

Yep, we were at dumping grounds and that baby popped up quick. 14' tri-hull, 50hp outboard, manual bilge, just Tev and I. Lightning cracking all around while the 30'+ island boys are hauling ass and throwing wakes every direction for the largest chop in the bays history. Her laying on the floor crying and my life flashing before my eyes with every flash and every wave coming over the bow. That was a life changing moment for me and helped direct to a new path in the risk category 🤣
 

GoetsTalon

Senior Member
Supporting Member
4,355
128
Walbridge oh
Finally a guy got close and got our mark then headed in to make the call for us. Cool thing is he came back to let us know the tow was coming. Boat owner had tow insurance so that saved us some money. That was the longest ride I ever had. Your not hauling ass behind a tow lol. The Island is eight miles out so I could see not wanting to tow someone but it's like how could you cruze by. Karma is real!
 

"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
57,845
274
North Carolina
I’ve towed my share of boats and have been towed a time or two…. Majority have been people I know, but have towed a couple of strangers as well. But my philosophy is, if under your own power, you don’t need towed. Because I’m not towing you any faster that that broke ass motor will…..
I broke a steering cable on my fist boat down on the river, about 5 miles from the ramp. Had my kid work the throttle while I held the motor in the direction we wanted to go…. Where there’s a will, there’s a way….
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,928
260
I have a VHF radio with GPS and DSC, 8-foot 6db antenna off the t-top so 15 feet to the tip above the water. USCG tower here is 250'. I should be able to reliably send/receive voice up to 25 nautical miles offshore with the USCG, and about 8 miles with other vessels around depending on their antenna height. I don't go that far in my boat though, most I go is about 10 miles offshore.

Hail on Ch16, no response, activate radio DSC which sends automated mayday call with GPS numbers of the vessel and MMSI info to the USCG and all other DSC-equipped vessels in range.

All else fails. See that yellow thing on my belt? From pole to pole just push one button and it'll bounce off a dedicated rescue satellite network and notify the closest government rescue station with GPS coords. It'll then continue to update via satellite and broadcast on 121mhz radio locator signal to guide them in for final location. In the US thats the big red and white sky taxi.

If I'm alive, I'm coming home.

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