"MAD MEN" ON THE WATER

John H. (The Viking) and I took a row on the wild side last Thursday PM when we set out for a 5+mile loop around Tinkers. Strong breezes from the SE, mixed chop and a full moon current met all the ingredients for one crazy ride. It was pretty much an up hill slog till we got to the lee behind the island. Bow smashing wave sets were alternating between 2-3 ft with some bigger monsters on occasion. You pretty much did what ever you could do to maintain forward motion by riding between troughs for a while than taking it on the nose. A quick rest at the cut behind the lee of the island was then followed by our push on to the spindle about 100 yards pass Tinkers. A right turn put us into the "teeth of the dog". Jon and I both dipping between waves trying to keep track of each other seeing pretty much only shoulders and heads. Another turn about 1/4 pass the island brought us some incredible following seas leading us back to MHD Rock and the safety of the bay. Both our Alden Stars were totally flooded with the seas's crashing breakers coming over the quarter stern. No sooner had the bailer cleard the cockpit, we were filled again. The Alden's extra 6 feet over the Echo give it a little more stability sliding down the backside of the monsters, but not much. Both of us were soaked to the skin by the time we rounded the point heading home to our basin. It was a great "survival" row, pushing the limits of these fine vessels along with it's rowers. Wish I could share a picture with you but I was scared sh-tless that I would flip the boat in trying to make it happen!!