Here's a excerpt from a local fishing forum, and one of the members farewells for awhile, at least:
Final Report - 2/2/2008
at least for a while....it appears we hit something submerged about 11 miles east of the Mayport Jetties returning from a trip today. Let's just say a substantial portion of the port hull peeled off below the waterline. Not knowing the extent of the damage we alerted the coast guard of our situation and started gingerly/swiftly back to Mayport wondering if the next wave would open the hull and start taking on water. I never seen Chris move so fast to pull the life raft, Epirb, and ditch bag from the console.
Long story short we made it back without incident.
I'd like to extend a huge thanks to a 22' Century CC who overheard our conversation, realized he was in our area, ran us down, visually confirmed what we feared and escorted us to the Jetties where Sea Tow Six must have also heard the ordeal and picked up the escort from there to the ramp. I lost sight of the Century at that point so they must have gone back out to fish. That was very kind to interrupt your fishing on our behalf without even being asked.
The Coast Guard even joined the escort about half way in the rocks and stayed with us along with Sea Tow. Thank you all.
The water was 53-55 degrees.....and at least they had a life raft, incase they had to use it. This happens all too much for my liking.
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WHAT?????? "a substantial portion of the port hull peeled off below the waterline", I think I'd have to toss my cards on the table and just give up if that happened in a glass boat I owned!
Glad to have Plate Alloy! Because I've already run over big boards, and all I hear is "thud", "thud".....and just keep on going...
It is currently:
