Stormy encounter with 5 CAL25s . .
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 12:30 pmAt the Corsica River Yacht Club's regatta (this past July) there were 5 CAL 25s that entered the "race over" from Annapolis to the Corsica River. As usual, they "rafted up" together just off the yacht club's pier and beach. Tattoo and a half dozen other boats also anchored in the area. Thunder storms were threatening all late afternoon. We got ours just after dark with strong winds. The CAL 25s dragged their anchor(s) and came down (all still rafted together) on Marc's catboat and then on Tattoo. I had to leave early the next morning and when I arrived home I had received an email from Marc who saw the trouble I was having and wanted to know if I was ok. The following was my reply:
"Thanks [Marc] for thinking about me and Tattoo's encounter with the "CAL 25 knuckleheads." Earlier my small "Navy type" anchor started to drag. In the past it has held well, but not this time. I wanted to use it because it is easier to deploy and recover. However, in the future I'll go back to my heavier 13# Rocna.
When I noticed it wasn't holding, I deployed the Rocna which stopped the dragging. But just at that time the CAL 25s all came down on me. Both anchor rodes fouled on their starboard-side boat's (?) keel or rudder (its stern to the wind). It was a big struggle to keep the boats from damaging each other. They finally "unrafted" their starboard-side boat that was fouling my rodes. We got loose only after the CAL 25 started its engine and pulled either forward or aft. Its a wonder how they managed not to foul my lines with their prop.
When we were finally separated, I had about 70 feet of line and chain out on each anchor. Tattoo was upwind of their raft, but still quite close. I shortened my scope down to about 40 feet by first pulling in one line, and then the other, alternating. Very hard to pull up against the wind. I was closer to the shore and the CAL 25s than I wanted to be, but I didn't try to reset either anchor. When the wind let up and the moon came out, I felt safe enough to sleep. I guess it was about 10:30 or 11pm. Fortunately, I did sleep well.
In the morning I had a hell-of-a-time raising the anchor(s). They both came up tangled and together! It took all the strength I had to lift both anchors and chains. Fortunately, it was calm, and I could untangle the anchors with them both on deck (boat adrift, but not going anywhere). Retrieved the smaller Navy type and rested a while before retrieving the Rocna and getting under way. I appreciated that John came by (rowing your dinghy) to check on me before I got under way.
The extreme effort put me in bad physical shape. It didn't really hit me until Sunday night. Lots of muscle and back pain. Just now recovering after a couple of treatments by a chiropractor. Bruises over my ribs from leaning over the side of the cabin trying to keep boats apart, shortening the scope during the storm, and lifting both anchors/chains together. But it could have been a lot worse.
When I got home I told Annie that I had decided to sell Tattoo. But just two days later, I think I've changed my mind again. I really love my times on the water. I'll just have to choose my times more carefully."
"Thanks [Marc] for thinking about me and Tattoo's encounter with the "CAL 25 knuckleheads." Earlier my small "Navy type" anchor started to drag. In the past it has held well, but not this time. I wanted to use it because it is easier to deploy and recover. However, in the future I'll go back to my heavier 13# Rocna.
When I noticed it wasn't holding, I deployed the Rocna which stopped the dragging. But just at that time the CAL 25s all came down on me. Both anchor rodes fouled on their starboard-side boat's (?) keel or rudder (its stern to the wind). It was a big struggle to keep the boats from damaging each other. They finally "unrafted" their starboard-side boat that was fouling my rodes. We got loose only after the CAL 25 started its engine and pulled either forward or aft. Its a wonder how they managed not to foul my lines with their prop.
When we were finally separated, I had about 70 feet of line and chain out on each anchor. Tattoo was upwind of their raft, but still quite close. I shortened my scope down to about 40 feet by first pulling in one line, and then the other, alternating. Very hard to pull up against the wind. I was closer to the shore and the CAL 25s than I wanted to be, but I didn't try to reset either anchor. When the wind let up and the moon came out, I felt safe enough to sleep. I guess it was about 10:30 or 11pm. Fortunately, I did sleep well.
In the morning I had a hell-of-a-time raising the anchor(s). They both came up tangled and together! It took all the strength I had to lift both anchors and chains. Fortunately, it was calm, and I could untangle the anchors with them both on deck (boat adrift, but not going anywhere). Retrieved the smaller Navy type and rested a while before retrieving the Rocna and getting under way. I appreciated that John came by (rowing your dinghy) to check on me before I got under way.
The extreme effort put me in bad physical shape. It didn't really hit me until Sunday night. Lots of muscle and back pain. Just now recovering after a couple of treatments by a chiropractor. Bruises over my ribs from leaning over the side of the cabin trying to keep boats apart, shortening the scope during the storm, and lifting both anchors/chains together. But it could have been a lot worse.
When I got home I told Annie that I had decided to sell Tattoo. But just two days later, I think I've changed my mind again. I really love my times on the water. I'll just have to choose my times more carefully."