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The Perfect Storm

Storm tactics from Hollywood.
By David Seidman
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If you decide to turn and run, wait. Watch for patterns. Waves don't march lined up like obedient soldiers. They're unruly, piling up on the backs of each other. This makes for a pattern of larger waves followed by a comparative lull. The bigger ones are easier to spot, coming every one to two minutes apart.

Once you recognize the pattern, plan to start your turn after the biggest wave has passed so those that follow will be on a downward trend.

Crank the wheel hardover as you pass over the crest. On long-keeled boats, such as trawlers, start turning when the bow is hanging in the air. This makes the boat easier to spin, as less of it is in the water. If you have a right-hand prop, turning to port is usually easier and faster. Hit the throttle, let the boat build some speed, then turn the wheel. A fast planing boat may be able to make a complete 180 before the next wave, but most cruisers won't. So divide the turn into two maneuvers. First, angle the boat to about 50 degrees off the wind and hold this for a wave, then as the next crest passes, make the final turn. Straighten out quickly and keep the seas dead astern.

These turns are tricky and, as with Tyne, you get only one chance. For me, when seas are running like that, I'd either want to be in the audience or in port. Best leave the impossible to Hollywood pros, who can keep trying until they run out of stunt doubles.