Boat ran aground on Columbia Sunday

[CATCH AND EAT]

So did anyone witness the boat that ran aground at Kelly point on Sunday. It was not there when we went by Sunday morning but it was there at about 4 pm that afternoon. Sheriff was there watching after it.

It appears that it may have hit the submerged pillings on the point. The boat looks like it was beached very quickly. What happened anyways? :whazzup:

[Pilar]

Yes, I've seen people cut that corner at high water. They seem to be oblivious to the pilings. Some make it and some don't.

What happened this time?

[AngleThis]

I wasn't there, but knowing that the area drops off fairly quickly, it sounds to me like a not too aware skipper thought he was in a big lake with tides, and decided that the shortest distance between two pionts is a line....and GPS is real good at plotting them....crunch!

[FishinFinatic]

People worry about low water conditions, high water can be just a dangerous. 2 boats today ran aground on meldrum bar today, doesn't sound as bad as the one you talk about, but they will still will be paying to fix a prop, and the other, well you would have to be there to see it. He figured since he was stuck just give it some more juice. anyquestions lol.

[CATCH AND EAT]

It appeared the boat was inbound from up river. Seems he cut across the pilings and scrunch, there went the bottom of his boat.

The boat was pointing up the Willamette and beached sideways on the point. Listing heavily on the sand. Probably a total loss for the boat. It looked to be an older boat of about 26 or 27 ft. Not sure of the brand name though. A real bummer. :depressed:

[Bounty Hunter]

Man speaking of running aground, I drug hind tail at the mouth of the Cowlitz a couple of weekends ago. I know, I know call me a cracker or a newbie or a flatlander or whatever, but it was an experience that I definately learned from.

I was headed to the Rainier launch to fish springers, but I was tired of towing my beast of a trailer and boat (1970 Renken tri-hull and heavy cast iron trailer). I'd never been out of that launch before so I decided to try the Cowlitz launch. I didn't notice at the time that everyone else had a jet or a short draft aluminum boat, but I went ahead and launched my fiberglass boat (2 foot draft) with another 2 foot drop on the stern drive. Well I found the channel and thought I was in the clear so I had her up on plane as I came under the railroad bridge and moving down into the mouth. Well my first clue was that I could see the ducks knees that were "sitting" in the water ahead of me. The second clue was the sudden stop. Anyway to make a long story short the sand bar was very forgiving. I sanded the paint off the prop, but the shear-pin never gave and neither did the sterndrive (thank God). We were actually able to fish the rest of the day on the kicker (thinking the main was blown). Went home and flushed the main, and I was up and running the next day. graemlins/stupid.gif

Anyway I know, it was stupid, but I thought someone might enjoy the story/lesson. graemlins/lurk.gif Next time I think I'll put in at Rainier.

[ 04-23-2002, 08:39 AM: Message edited by: Bounty Hunter ]

[letstroll]

At about 2:00PM I heard them call for the coast guard he said they were taking on water fast and were heading for the beach. After he reported that he had made the beqach they asked him if he would accept commercial assistance. graemlins/1zhelp.gif Don't leave home without your credit card.