Got caught in a crazy storm today

[LeepSquad]

Took the 1980 Enticer out to Smithville Lake (MO) on a beautiful Sunday morning with a buddy, and by about 2:00 pm saw a massive black cloud wall headed my way. It came very fast. It was coming from the general direction of the marina and I didn't have time to get back without driving though the storm, so I headed under a bridge and hung on to one of the ropes hanging from the bridge that the fishermen use...turned on some tunes and cracked a beer to wait it out.

Not five minutes later the wind really picked up, it got extremely dark, and a torrential downpour ensued. The temp dropped about 20 degrees and there was lightning everywhere. The rain was coming in sideways and I was hanging on to the bridge rope for dear life as the wind and current were trying to take us into the rocks which were about 15 yards away.

I'm soaking wet, hanging on to that rope with everything I've got, freezing my rear off and staring into some kind of black hole micro burst demon cell that is heading straight for me. My friend and I just looked at each other like WTF...then CRACK...a bolt of lightning struck closer than I've ever seen before in my life. There was another guy under the bridge with me in a Lund ALUMINUM boat. I could see he was a bit more fearful than myself at the point, but I was certainly concerned for my personal safety too haha! Fiberglass has some insulating properties right?!

It continued to poor down for another 15 minutes and then let off enough to head back to the marina. My phone said there was more rain coming on the radar so we loaded the boat back up on the trailer and headed home so we didn't get stuck in another freak storm.

It was beautiful and sunny with a slight breeze and clear sunshine the whole ride home to Kansas City. I think I'm going to lay on my hammock and drink beer for the rest of the day.

(the pic from the ozarks, but figured I'd throw that in there)

 

[JW]

Great story!! I pulled the wife tubing yesterday until the temp dropped fast and the wind shifted. I was able to get everything covered and lifted seconds before we got dumped on. I got to enjoy my storm from the porch

 

[Gimme Fuel]

I was out in my friend's 259 yesterday and we were in the bay. A few small rain clouds rolled in so we just put the hammer down and dodged em! It was kinda fun and the bay was calmer than I have seen it in a long time. It was well worth the trip and getting hit by a few rain drops.......We are not the types to put our snowmobiles away when it starts snowing either! haha

 

[sim]

Great Story! I remember 4 summers ago out in my Predictor with no one else when black thunderheads started gathering. I decided to make the 20 mile sprint upriver to get it back on the trailer by myself. Clouds rolling in, I'm doing about 50 and feeling the weather go from hot to cold to hot to cold evry hundred yards. Then the lightning starts hitting the trees on the banks around me and sheets of water-hot-cold-hot-cold and 60, 70 mph wind.
Then the hail. I'm in shorts, no shirt with weather alternating between 60 degrees and 90 degrees when the golf ball hail starts hitting the deck (and my forehead). Had to slow it down as I got closer to the dock. Finally made the launch ramp and pulled it in with heavy downriver current trying to pull it away from my beaching as I ran to get the trailer in torrential downpour, hail and wind to pull it up. I thought my wife would be receiving a condolence call from the local police. Finally (soaked!) pulled it up and out against heavy currents that didn't want to let me center while lightning was hitting all around with huge thunder claps. Said a thank you prayer and went home.
Boating. Puts you in touch with nature.

 

[Jetmate]

That happened to me last year. Made a run for the ramp, and of course there was some,"New to Boating", guy at the ramp fumbling around with his boat and trailer. By the time we found a spot along the bulk head to tie up to, the wind was whipping and the rain was stinging your skin!

 

[JSmitty]

I was in my boat yesterday too ... on the marina's repair rack, where it's been for two years while I've been restoring it. I was working under the dash on my wiring. I heard a few drops, then within 10 seconds a torrential downpour. I jumped up and banged my head on an L-angle bracket. So with blood dripping down my face I'm trying to cover my boat and get my tools out of the rain. And it lasted all of 3 minutes!

Since I was bleeding all over myself I decided to call it a day. I stuck a rag under an old painter's cap to sop up the blood, and soaking wet, with blood all over my shirt, sloshed my way home.

Restorations can be physically as well as mentally painful.

 

[LeepSquad]

Those are great stories!! When such things happen to lesser men, they sell their boats and talk about how the two best days on a boat owner's life are when they buy the boat and when they sell it. Quitters never win, and winners just keep on truckin!

 

[Bluebeast]

I know ya'll aren't going to like this, but sitting next to my Enchanter is the Hobie Cat I sail when I'm not up to dropping $100 in gas into my tank.

Try being out in one of these storms with a 25' aluminum lightning rod sticking up and a wife who's totally freakin' out!

At least in the powerboat I can duck & run.