[sailnaway]

My wife and I found out the hard way last year 2004 that huricane Charlie had passed us by in Clearwater so the next day we left for New Orleans (home port) by way of Panama City Florida. Offshore we encountered water spouts and gale force winds to 70 knots and 8-10'' seas one knockdown and recovery because we were turning away from the waterspout at the time and moving at around 7 knots full speed running scared. A sea anchor would have been nice after the spouts passed and the danger of being blenderized had passed. I was tired and she was to and no rest for the wicked or weary.But I will have one when I find the right one for my boat. Oh by the way waterspouts can be so wide at the base they look like a squal line and not the whirling death that they are.Her eyes caught the spout I had missed it and I was watching for them.It passed within 100yds astern.

Capt.Jake and First Mate Judy