: Getting away from your boat in 150 mph winds? I say stay aboard and
: keep low. I would hold the paddle at the waterline in a forward
: roll position, laying my body down low. If the paddle did get
: away that's what spares are for, but throwing it away just risks
: it becoming a projectile.

: I have now seen spouts on at least six occasions on the water.
: Usually they are much further offshore. This is about the
: closest I have gotten. I have often pondered over what to do.
: Paddling like heck away from it is only an option if it doesn't
: land right on top of you. This one, as you can see, came out at
: an angle and landed. It formed in seconds and hung there for a
: good minute or two. From a kayaker's vantage point it would have
: come from right on top of you. I think you'd be forced to stay
: put and lay low. There would have been no warning.

Many many years ago I had one follow my sailboat for about 15 minutes on Lake Erie, no matter which way I turned it followed till it finally went away. Just a bit scary. Have seen them since but never from a boat, thankfully.

Bill H.