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Old 23-09-2017, 12:09   #1
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How often do power boats get caught in the rain?

Just wondering as I am about to buy a water craft. I plan to use it 3 - 5 times per week. I am retired and love the water. I live on the north east coast of Florida where it rains every summer afternoon between 2 and 3pm.

To me, that is kinda in the middle of the summer day and my boating. I am expecting to get caught in the rain a lot. My plan is to sit under a bridge until the rain passes.

What do others do?
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Old 23-09-2017, 12:14   #2
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Re: How often do power boats get caught in the rain?

All the time. just prepare for it.
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Old 23-09-2017, 13:03   #3
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Re: How often do power boats get caught in the rain?

In England we wear full waterproofs, sowester hats and wellies when it rains.



You could try an umbrella.

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Old 23-09-2017, 13:03   #4
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Re: How often do power boats get caught in the rain?

I shut the door and windows and continue on my way. Oh, I turn on my navigation lights so others can see me.

You will find it difficult to stay put under a bridge in a boat and you're not allowed to tie your boat to the bridge supports.

You can buy a rain suit and hood.
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Old 23-09-2017, 13:10   #5
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Re: How often do power boats get caught in the rain?

I will most likely be on a PWC. I can be on the water by 7:30am - 8:00am. I will want to explore canals, ICW, Ocean. I will have bridges to hide under. There is a low bridge at Matanzas Inlet. I will also have a hooded poncho.

Not 100% sure if 4 - 6 hours riding a quiet PWC at 28 mph exploring will be enough. Maybe I can be back at the dock by the time it rains.

I will typically be 15 miles or more from the dock. Daytona is 30 miles and St. Augustine is 30 miles will be exceptions.
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Old 23-09-2017, 13:12   #6
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Re: How often do power boats get caught in the rain?

Bimini. I bet you can find a way to mount one on your PWC.
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Old 23-09-2017, 13:13   #7
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Re: How often do power boats get caught in the rain?

get wet.... get dry....life goes on
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Old 23-09-2017, 13:13   #8
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Re: How often do power boats get caught in the rain?

Depending on the type of rain we will just carry on under the canvas that keeps us dry.

But if it is real heavy rain where the bow is about the only thing you can see forward, then we find either a safe anchorage or a place to dock until it is over.
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Old 23-09-2017, 13:22   #9
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Re: How often do power boats get caught in the rain?

I do not mind being wet at all but in the heavy downpours I think I will want to be out of the driving rain. Well maybe not, I have a wet suit jacket and hat. That will keep any stinging rain from making me miserable.

A bimini would make a super cool accessory for a pwc. In driving rains on a boat the canvas really helps. Many a day I huddled under a runabout bimini and aft curtain.

I even pulled my boat out in a driving rain but only once as that was no fun.
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Old 23-09-2017, 13:38   #10
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Re: How often do power boats get caught in the rain?

Fyi - I just googled 'pwc bimini top'. They do make them!!! It looks very functional and could be my answer. At the slow (ish)speeds I will going it will also keep the hot Florida sun off me.

In England I bet you guys have cold summer rains. In Florida the rain is very very seldom cold. Just wet. Again, I have no problem being wet, just don't want stinging, driving rain to make me too miserable.
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Old 23-09-2017, 15:14   #11
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Re: How often do power boats get caught in the rain?

Wow, once a day warm rain would be welcome...
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Old 23-09-2017, 15:28   #12
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Re: How often do power boats get caught in the rain?

A bimini top will keep the sun off you and stop skin cancer but you will get wet in the rain if you are moving. You need something like this;
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Old 23-09-2017, 16:40   #13
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Re: How often do power boats get caught in the rain?

Quote:
Originally Posted by rwidman View Post
I shut the door and windows and continue on my way. Oh, I turn on my navigation lights so others can see me.



You will find it difficult to stay put under a bridge in a boat and you're not allowed to tie your boat to the bridge supports.


Bridges are also a pinch point with higher traffic and being realistic sometimes big wakes. If heavy FL rain they may not even see your unlit PWC.

I'd get the RadarScope app on your phone and a spare USB battery. With Doppler radar "on" your pwc it's just a matter of which watering hole you pull into to wait it out.

If you're going to do this a lot I would add a high power flashlight & a laser rescue flare to your kit.

Sitting on a PWC on the ICW in a low-vis rainstorm is something you want to avoid.

REI has the laser flare with free shipping. Should go in everyone's ditch kit but especially pwc.

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Old 23-09-2017, 16:45   #14
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Re: How often do power boats get caught in the rain?

Good points. Visibility in heavy rain is not good, I agree. Lucky most of the area I will be in is Matanzas Inlet. It is not recommended for boats. It is one if the reason for a PWC. To be able to use this inlet. Anyway, I would pick a spot out of any main channel to hold up.
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Old 24-09-2017, 03:50   #15
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Re: How often do power boats get caught in the rain?

Quote:
Originally Posted by tuffr2 View Post
I do not mind being wet at all but in the heavy downpours I think I will want to be out of the driving rain. Well maybe not, I have a wet suit jacket and hat. That will keep any stinging rain from making me miserable...
Swim goggles will also help.
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