On Wed, 05 Sep 2007 10:06:16 -0400, HK wrote:

Low transoms, low sides, wet rides, but perfectly safe, even
offshore, in the hands of experienced boaters.

I'd modify that statement to read "lucky boaters" rather than
"experienced boaters". The people who get into trouble are those
unfortunate enough to find themselves stern to a breaking wave. That
could happen from inexperience but more often from bad luck: The
engine fails at an inopportune time; the boat gets snagged on a
lobster pot or crab trap in the middle of a tide rip; a large wake
comes in from a different angle than the swell; etc., etc. These
things can and do happen to anyone. It is true that an experienced
boater is more likely to recognize a dangerous situation and avoid it.
After that it's luck.

Wayne.B wrote:
On Wed, 05 Sep 2007 10:06:16 -0400, HK wrote:

Low transoms, low sides, wet rides, but perfectly safe, even
offshore, in the hands of experienced boaters.

I'd modify that statement to read "lucky boaters" rather than
"experienced boaters". The people who get into trouble are those
unfortunate enough to find themselves stern to a breaking wave. That
could happen from inexperience but more often from bad luck: The
engine fails at an inopportune time; the boat gets snagged on a
lobster pot or crab trap in the middle of a tide rip; a large wake
comes in from a different angle than the swell; etc., etc. These
things can and do happen to anyone. It is true that an experienced
boater is more likely to recognize a dangerous situation and avoid it.
After that it's luck.


Gee, whiz. I've been "stern to" to breaking waves in small boats for
decades. Typically, the breaking wave lifts the transom of the boat then
sets it down. Under some circumstances, and not often, I've gotten a
bit of water over the transom and on the deck that drained right out.

I've seen more slow-moving trawlerbarges and sailboats get into serious
trouble trying to run inlets than I have small, low-transomed boats get
pooped. I've seen more trawlerbarges and sailboats run aground and holed
than I have seen or heard of small, low-transomed boats get pooped.

Sorry, it's simply not something I or any other experienced boat
operator worries about very much.

Wayne.B wrote:
On Wed, 05 Sep 2007 10:06:16 -0400, HK wrote:

Low transoms, low sides, wet rides, but perfectly safe, even
offshore, in the hands of experienced boaters.

I'd modify that statement to read "lucky boaters" rather than
"experienced boaters". The people who get into trouble are those
unfortunate enough to find themselves stern to a breaking wave. That
could happen from inexperience but more often from bad luck: The
engine fails at an inopportune time; the boat gets snagged on a
lobster pot or crab trap in the middle of a tide rip; a large wake
comes in from a different angle than the swell; etc., etc. These
things can and do happen to anyone. It is true that an experienced
boater is more likely to recognize a dangerous situation and avoid it.
After that it's luck.

Based upon the amount of time Harry has spent boating in the last 15
yrs, I would not consider Harry experienced.