Bar
Crossing Tips
Here is my list of things
which get experienced people killed, making bar crossings.
-
Don't assume you know what you
are doing.
-
Stay scared. A little fear
is very healthy.
-
Identify the danger area. Don't
linger in it.
-
Be sure your fuel supply is
ok.
-
Don't ever change the fuel supply
and then start across the bar.
-
If you have changed the fuel
supply, wait 10 minutes.
-
If the swell is above 10 feet,
watch
the bar for at least 10-20 minutes.
-
If not familiar with a particular
entrance, watch it for awhile.
-
In breakers? Don't get
airborne. Cut the throttle just before impact(if bow-on).
-
If water depth is less than
60 feet, be wary. Most bars are < 60 !
-
Current speeds above 2 knots,
flood or ebb, stay away from hard spots(buoys, rocks).
Things to Avoid
-
Crossing during the Ebb
-
Entrances with less than 30
feet of depth in the channel.
-
Crossing eny entrance near Max
Ebb, with swell heights above 4 feet.
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Copyright
1998. Michael Maurice. All rights reserved.