Awsome flights Charlie.. I don't have a pilot's license. :leaving:
But I do want to make one more point. Nothing to do with the St. Pete run.
Poke Runs are actually a great place to do a little experimentation, as long as the crew is up to it. You got many boats, tow companies ready.. lot of friends to help you out. You'r not alone. I think it's important to every performance boaters to know what are the limitations of the rig and driver. IE; Sarasota run last year. Started out as a nice sunny day. The time we got to Tampa Bay under the bridge.. rain.. storms.. gusty winds... and 6-8 footers. On the way back after lunch even water spouts.
Sudden change in conditions. You can get stuck in some seas in a Poker Run.. a weekend outing... anytime.. anyplace. I think it's wise if you don't want to run in seas, you don't feel like.. Making a safe decision is the first priority protecting crew and passangers. But I think it would help the performance bating all around if this decision is based on choice and not out of "need". I make that decision as a choice, not that I can't handle or run in some serious chitt. Many of you know the changing condition on lake Michigan, or the Florida waters. Sometimes it's necessary to run in seas that are white knuckle related. I always returned my boat, crew and myself safely to the docks. (a few bruises and banged up elbows doesn’t count)
Many years ago I was in Ft Lauderdale with my kids watching the Air and Sea show. Seas suddenly started to pick up, and I knew something is coming. Most boaters ignored the warning signs or they didn’t know.
While we are watching the Blue Angles, I pull in the anchor, looking to the North and see cold front and darkness from some Noreastern fragment coming it. The time the storm hit we were already under way heading out to sea to avoid all the panicing boaters and going through the storm trying to get into Hillsboro inlett. The storm hit just as we were passing all the anchored boats. Major confusion, anchor lines tangled, 7 boats sunk. Dozens taking in water and demaged. One of my coworkers/friend told me a few days later he was handing over his little kids to a huge cruiser when he was in ankle deep water in his boat. We got to the ICWW safely in 6-7 in a 26’ boat, with only a few scared kids., and a terrified father. But I was in storms before this, and been there after. My kids and passangers know what I, and my boats could handle, even if it’s an unforseens storm, and that makes boating for them a safer and a more confident experience.
Just food for thought.
(now we got to have a "storm stories" thread.)
