This is a website you have to check out. These are pictures, along with the story of a whole bunch of waterspouts in northern Lake Michigan this past summer. These pictures are ones to put in your permanent file.
I tried t o locate the photo I took here that came too close for comfort
The first time I saw one, it was only about a qurter mile away.
To say I experienced anxiety would be putting it mildly.
They say you are to sail perpendicular and away. to best avoid them.
We encountered a row of them, we counted 8 in various stages of formation, some fullly formed, others half way down, some just starting,. Quite the show.
I had one pass by me many years ago, not sure what it was. I thought they only occurred in the open ocean, particularly around Asia. It sounded like a freight train, as I recall.
But, I haven't heard of anyone getting caught in one (Maybe no one survived to tell the story, I don't know). All I've heard regarding avoidance, is get the sails down.
I saw 3 drop out of the sky in August 1986 when we were sailing down Chesapeake Bay , they passed about 1/4 to 1/2 mile ahead of us . we were under storm jib and reefed mizzen ( yawl ) & we were still surfing beyond hull speed .
I think it is a combination of the heavy volume of boat traffic, a sensationalist press, the neat sound of the term "Bermuda Triangle" more than any one type of weather.
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