I have been reading about the boating incidents ov
- Thread starter thika
- Start date
Freakazoid
Senior Member
River mouths don't seem to have their own classification and you don't need a surf launching ticket to go out through them. I reckon SAMSA are going to change this at some stage. With the amount of boats that has gone belly up in the Breede I am surprised they haven't done something already.
The biggest difference between a river mouth and a normal surf launch is the current.After the flood last year the river is getting a lot more water in and out. There are very few of us who now go through on an outgoing tide. It is just too dangerous. The current is hitting 8 knots on a normal day and in springtide a good 12 knots. That is like a freigh train into a wave, and seeing as the tide pulls at the bit that sticks out the most, then engines, you are bound to be pulled in either rear end first or side on.
About 100m before the bar, in front of Sedgewicks house, there is a set of standing waves on the outgoing tide. Seasoned guys have been caught out by this. The fall into a hole nose first and get completely covered in water.
Anyway, the point was that according to the "rules" river mouths have no special requirements. According to my insurance, the river mouth is very special, th rates are huge.
The biggest difference between a river mouth and a normal surf launch is the current.After the flood last year the river is getting a lot more water in and out. There are very few of us who now go through on an outgoing tide. It is just too dangerous. The current is hitting 8 knots on a normal day and in springtide a good 12 knots. That is like a freigh train into a wave, and seeing as the tide pulls at the bit that sticks out the most, then engines, you are bound to be pulled in either rear end first or side on.
About 100m before the bar, in front of Sedgewicks house, there is a set of standing waves on the outgoing tide. Seasoned guys have been caught out by this. The fall into a hole nose first and get completely covered in water.
Anyway, the point was that according to the "rules" river mouths have no special requirements. According to my insurance, the river mouth is very special, th rates are huge.
shagnrelease
Sealiner
Yip its a case of preaching to the converted, I took a long time to get used to how very different these two hulls are in the surf, you cannot get away with the same angles than that of a mono, however I also now dont have to contend with any broaching at all, where as I had a few akward leans on the ace at speed, but when beaching I still do not like any angles at all and would rather have the sets right behind me!!
Guys I want to revive this old thread. It has been so informative in preparation for the anual trek down to the coast.
I believe everybody who is going to launch in December but has not launched for the last few months must read this as a refresher.
Thank you everybody who has contributed to this thread - we all have a common goal - safety at sea over this festive season.
There was a time that I launched out of Knysna every day that weather (waves) permitted. During the last 10 years I have only done 5 "safe or harbour" launches. I am out of practice and reading about other peoples mishaps or experiences we learn and are prepared for the unexpected. Especially boats that have not been used much for the past year.
I want to add my worst day at sea for the same reason. Somebody said that all skippers will get a scare sometime and the first time that you think you are a good skipper and "you can handle it" is the first time you are in danger.
In April 2000 I took some divers out Knysna Heads and high tide was at 7 i wanted to be out to sea by six to miss the outgoing tide with its notoriously big surf. Clients were late and only left after the tide had turned. Drifted closer on the tide to get a good look. First wave was small no problem, obscured close behind it was its big brother still no problem, behind that the mother and behind that the father.
I admit that I did not take the time to count sets, in my very poor defense I was caught out by the strong tide.
Between the two biggest ones I decide to turn around and at full lock to port had only cavitation. I normally went out with a duck with to 85's and this was my first time with two older 75's. Was hit on starboard side while cavitating and changed to turn starboard to cross the wave still at full taps (brought power back to zero more than once, every time I accelarated only cavitation) Flew over top of wave with 6 meter boat 100% vertical and reentered stern first and motors completely submerged. The wooden hatch that all the weightbelts were in, in the bow broke and divers were hurt by flying weightbelts. Thankfully motors kept running and we stayed safe.
Eventually got outside and was shaking so much I handed over to assistant skipper and didnt dive or anything. Just sat there wandering how did it happened to me.
I knew Knysna well, launched there well over a 100 times. Understood the dangers so well because our dive shop was next to the NSRI and had been witness to more than one body coming out.
We can always validate ourselves and look at guys who came short and think we won't do that - please learn from everybody on this thread and add your experience.
Another example is on a flat flat day a friend took a brand new boat out on a test and at a small half a meter wave his knees pushed in the chokes and both motors died. Did not deploy drogue and the next small wave capsized them on a day that a bathtub could've gone out to sea.
So please lets be safe. Thanks again to everybody who adds safety two sealine.
Sealine Rocks!!!!
I believe everybody who is going to launch in December but has not launched for the last few months must read this as a refresher.
Thank you everybody who has contributed to this thread - we all have a common goal - safety at sea over this festive season.
There was a time that I launched out of Knysna every day that weather (waves) permitted. During the last 10 years I have only done 5 "safe or harbour" launches. I am out of practice and reading about other peoples mishaps or experiences we learn and are prepared for the unexpected. Especially boats that have not been used much for the past year.
I want to add my worst day at sea for the same reason. Somebody said that all skippers will get a scare sometime and the first time that you think you are a good skipper and "you can handle it" is the first time you are in danger.
In April 2000 I took some divers out Knysna Heads and high tide was at 7 i wanted to be out to sea by six to miss the outgoing tide with its notoriously big surf. Clients were late and only left after the tide had turned. Drifted closer on the tide to get a good look. First wave was small no problem, obscured close behind it was its big brother still no problem, behind that the mother and behind that the father.
I admit that I did not take the time to count sets, in my very poor defense I was caught out by the strong tide.
Between the two biggest ones I decide to turn around and at full lock to port had only cavitation. I normally went out with a duck with to 85's and this was my first time with two older 75's. Was hit on starboard side while cavitating and changed to turn starboard to cross the wave still at full taps (brought power back to zero more than once, every time I accelarated only cavitation) Flew over top of wave with 6 meter boat 100% vertical and reentered stern first and motors completely submerged. The wooden hatch that all the weightbelts were in, in the bow broke and divers were hurt by flying weightbelts. Thankfully motors kept running and we stayed safe.
Eventually got outside and was shaking so much I handed over to assistant skipper and didnt dive or anything. Just sat there wandering how did it happened to me.
I knew Knysna well, launched there well over a 100 times. Understood the dangers so well because our dive shop was next to the NSRI and had been witness to more than one body coming out.
We can always validate ourselves and look at guys who came short and think we won't do that - please learn from everybody on this thread and add your experience.
Another example is on a flat flat day a friend took a brand new boat out on a test and at a small half a meter wave his knees pushed in the chokes and both motors died. Did not deploy drogue and the next small wave capsized them on a day that a bathtub could've gone out to sea.
So please lets be safe. Thanks again to everybody who adds safety two sealine.
Sealine Rocks!!!!
Madhw,
Thanks for reviving this thread and your very valuable input
Just on the matter of counting sets...it's a myth
Number of waves in sets differ...ALL the time!
ONLY way is to look at the water behind the last wave in the set..you can see the flat between the one you are in and the next approaching set
Then you must know how long it is going to take you (your boat) to make it to the backline before the first wave of the next set starts curling
On a short launch this is relatively easy....on a long shallow launch you should be "idling" in midbreak pushing against the foamies whilst you are studying what's coming and getting your timing right
This cannot always be done in a rivermouth when the tide is going out
And then your line...if there is a rip, it will ALWAYS be the quickest and safest route unless it is running very obliquely off the launchpoint
Thanks for reviving this thread and your very valuable input
Just on the matter of counting sets...it's a myth
Number of waves in sets differ...ALL the time!
ONLY way is to look at the water behind the last wave in the set..you can see the flat between the one you are in and the next approaching set
Then you must know how long it is going to take you (your boat) to make it to the backline before the first wave of the next set starts curling
On a short launch this is relatively easy....on a long shallow launch you should be "idling" in midbreak pushing against the foamies whilst you are studying what's coming and getting your timing right
This cannot always be done in a rivermouth when the tide is going out
And then your line...if there is a rip, it will ALWAYS be the quickest and safest route unless it is running very obliquely off the launchpoint
Hi Thika
I am glad you bring up the point of short and long "launches"
Knysna for instance has more than a kilometer of the bar where anywhere in there it can suddenly stand up and break. You can not see the last wave in the bar when you start the first one.
Most of Knysna waves are not punchable even by the navy minesweepers or big off-shore trawlers or the big NSRI boats
I have seen a trawler break up when hit by a wave and one person drowned.
So here the rule is never punch - if you can not go arround the wave you don't go out.
Remember what applies to Natal for punching waves etc. does not apply in the Cape. By that I dont mean anybody is better but circumstances are very different.
Be safe
I am glad you bring up the point of short and long "launches"
Knysna for instance has more than a kilometer of the bar where anywhere in there it can suddenly stand up and break. You can not see the last wave in the bar when you start the first one.
Most of Knysna waves are not punchable even by the navy minesweepers or big off-shore trawlers or the big NSRI boats
I have seen a trawler break up when hit by a wave and one person drowned.
So here the rule is never punch - if you can not go arround the wave you don't go out.
Remember what applies to Natal for punching waves etc. does not apply in the Cape. By that I dont mean anybody is better but circumstances are very different.
Be safe
I started reading this thread because I wanted fresh input on a droque. So after reading and posting I climb onto the boat in the garage to see if my droque is correct length etc.
I slip off as I climb on and fall on my ##s on the cement. Well actualy on my back and right now I am bruised and very sore. Luckily I only broke a table and a tackle box.
So be safe on your boat even if it is in the garage.
I slip off as I climb on and fall on my ##s on the cement. Well actualy on my back and right now I am bruised and very sore. Luckily I only broke a table and a tackle box.
So be safe on your boat even if it is in the garage.
