Cockpit Confessions: Circle Of Death

I’d been an avid Jetskier for more than 10 years, traveling Lake Erie from Sandusky to Pelee and its many islands, the Huron River, and down the fabulous Sandusky River to Fremont with its gorgeous twists and turns, its eagles and snapping turtles.

I’d also done lots of boating with others and soon got the confidence to purchase my own 27-foot Larson single-screw cabin-cruiser. Big Mistake and I have enjoyed many weekend trips since. On one of those last great getaways of the season, I was returning from Kelley’s Island, heading to Sandusky Bay after a fabulous weekend gathering sponsored by the Sandusky Yacht Club.

Running solo, I motored out of the busy marina with my walk-through windshield open in case I needed to get onto the bow quickly. Waters were somewhat rough, 3- to 4-footers, but nothing so dangerous that navigation skills and slow speed wouldn’t remedy. Safely clear of the marina, I pointed the bow toward Cedar Point. To avoid getting soaked, I reached up to close and latch the walk-thru window – something that probably took less than 15 seconds. It’s only an 81/2-foot beam, so I was never more than a few inches from the wheel.

Upon returning to the wheel, it was locked in the starboard position. I couldn’t steer or pull out of it. The boat continued going in circles with the winds pushing me ever closer to the rocky shore. I tried hailing some of my boater friends as they were heading home. I shouted that I had no control, but they couldn’t hear me. They all waved back energetically and continued on their way. I tried phoning a fellow boater but got no answer. In a panic I shut down the engine and tried to restart. Same thing. Put her in reverse; the wheel remained locked.

My options were limited: Let her beach. Call the Coast Guard. Drop anchor. For the latter I’d have to get on the bow, and I was afraid the lines would get fouled as the boat circled. Nothing felt good. I continued to shut down, reverse, restart, and, just before we went aground, she finally came out of it.

Terrified that I wouldn’t make it to port, I kept her on course and somehow made it home, kissing the ground after we docked. I’d been in the circle of death. After several phone calls to my trusted mechanic and doing some research, I learned that, likely, when I let go of the wheel, the propeller’s spin pushed the stern around, and because the prop was still pushing the boat, it went around in circles. The speed and rough water exacerbated the situation.

The moral of the story? Never let go of the wheel at any speed, particularly if it’s rough. And wear your engine cutoff switch if your boat has one!