Waterspouts

[KJ]

Came across the photo of a waterspout in the Fla Keys.
I was wondering if any of you folks have seen waterspouts while under way.* KJ

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-- Edited by KJ on Sunday 30th of January 2011 03:59:38 AM

 

[Peter B]

Yes I have, and I was glad it was passing us at a distance. However, in the Sydney Hobart annual yacht race a few yrs ago, one of the yachts (a 70 footer) had a very close encounter - sailed right through one - captured on film - take a look. Sorry but the only link I could find is in German, but once the action starts the language is superfluous.

 

[Steve]

waterspouts are pretty common here in the summer. I was out fishing in my outboard and counted five of them at one time. They don't move real fast and are quite small in size where they touch the water. I never heard of anyone around here getting caught in one. They do whip up a lot of water at the surface as shown in the pic.
Interesting to hear someone shouting "does anyone want lifejackets" in that video. I doubt many turned that offer down.
Steve W.

 

[Moonstruck]

Yes, once about 35 miles off the NC coast we had 3 down around us.* No radar, but we could see which way they were moving.* The problem was that we could run, but there was a Jersey Skiff out there with a disabled engine.* We said that we would take them off the boat with us, but they elected to stay.* We hung around keeping a close eye out in case they needed us.* Two of them went on either side of us.* Scarry.* I have a black and white photo of one down and 2 more ready to drop.* It is not digital.* After they dispersed, we loaned the other boat a battery to get them back home.

We have seen a couple of others, one in the Keys, but not that close.

 

[Egregious]

Yes.* when I saw one it shook the house we were in.* We were not in a boat at the time, but if we had been we would have been steaming away at top speed.