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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Wild Lil' o' Oklahoma Gulf Stream

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/03/2004 : 11:36:37

Those who know the Grand Lake O' the Cherokees in northeastern Oklahoma are familiar with the river-like topography of the lake. That is to say, S-bends, steep channel cut cliffs and depths that range from 150' in the channel to 30' on the fill.

Yesterday a southerly 30 mph wind was fetching straight up the lake, but for some reason the swell and chop were larger and steeper than normal. Under reefed mains'l alone, since I'd hanked on the 150 based on NOAA's 5 to 10 mph forecast and also because I've become incredibly timid since last Fall's near knockdown and rigging disaster...anyway, I beat down the lake a couple miles at 2 to 2.5 knots. I ended up in the shallow fill side of the lake that is due southeast of my marina when thunderheads began building to the west. After gybing to head back, I was making 4 knots due north up the shallow side of the lake. However, I needed to begin bearing northwest (i.e., into and through the channel) to make my cove.

As I hit the channel my knotmeter jumped from 4 to 11! And, the ride become very wild with the pitching and yawing that you ocean sailors must experience all the time...TOO MUCH FUN. Regardless of the knotmeter and the fun, I wasn't making any way. In fact, I was going backwards! All the flood gates had been opened to let off the huge amounts of rainfall received the past two weeks, and that was causing the "river" to flow at about 7 knots. Of course, the current was directly opposite the wind, and that factor was responsible for the large, steep swell. Very different sailing experience from the norm.

J.B. Manley s/v Sea Trac Allied Seawind II #65
DPO s/v Antares Catalina 25 #4849
Association Treasurer 2002 - 2006
Association Bookkeeper 2002 - 2008
Association Quartermaster 2004 - 2008

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2004 : 13:20:43

Do you mean to say that the operators of the site released the torrents that you experienced without forwarning mariners? If so they could have been responsible for loss of life and property. Irresponsible behavior is an understatement in such a situation.

I'm happy that your craft came through it in good fashion. Speaks well of your seamanship.

Val on Calista # 3936

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2004 : 13:38:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by tinob
 Do you mean to say that the operators of the site released the torrents that you experienced without forwarning mariners?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Not being from around here, I couldn't figure out why the air raid sirens kept going off all weekend. Guess I can quit worrying about funnel clouds descending upon the boat.

Thanks for the kind words, Val (and Jim).

Edited by - Sea Trac on 05/03/2004 22:28:21

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2004 : 13:39:30

We ocean sailors are used to pitching, yawing, and rolling (the C25 is a pretty tough boat) and I have sailed in waves to 7 feet and seen them breaking over the bar 25 feet from the boat.

7 knots of current and 30 knots of wind? No way. You got my respect, man. Glad you made it back. My boat will not point worth a darn under reefed main alone. Points real well under reefed main and 8 HP Honda, however.

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Doug G.
1st Mate

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USA
49 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2004 : 21:26:41

JB, I had the same experience. I went out Sunday around 2-3pm and saw a change from 5mph to + 30mph gusts. We only got 1/4 mi. or less out in front of Scotty's Cove and the Dam. Reefed Main and 110 jib. I had my neice with me and she asked if this was a normal day. For my limited experience, Grand Lake has given me this thrashing 50% of my weekends. I 'll bet you are right about the currents, as I got spun around with minimal control trying to get back under the jib alone. The outboard worked well and we went in early with no damage other than the Uncle's Ego. Maybe next time I'll get over to meet you.

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2004 : 22:26:21

Hi Doug,

Definitely NOT normal, and I'm glad you got back in okay.

The past three weekends have been cold, wet, miserable and nothing but plain hard work. I keep trying to get down your way to look for Pelican, but have been just too beat (pun intended) half to two-thirds of the way there. Maybe things will be normalized the weekend after next and I'll actually be able to make it down toward the dam.

Edited by - Sea Trac on 05/03/2004 22:29:24

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2004 : 23:22:48

I spent four or five hours at Cheney yesterday waiting for the big winds to lie down, they never did. They were real spankers. Not a single boat out! It was remarkably cold.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.