Missing Boaters

[BolivarBasser]

Any updates? I know it was windy again today and probably will be for the rest of the week. Is this hindering search efforts?

[BolivarBasser]

Another question...I've heard how bad Stockton gets when it's windy. What makes Stockton worse than other lakes when it comes to windy/stormy conditions?

[straw hat]

Another question...I've heard how bad Stockton gets when it's windy. What makes Stockton worse than other lakes when it comes to windy/stormy conditions?

I once heard a weather man explain this. He said that the prevelent wind in our area is from the south. With Stockton running from south to north the wind runs the length of the lake. The lake is like a wind tunnel, the hills on the side funnel the wind toward the dam and with that long of a run the wind really picks up steam. Now having said that I can tell you I have absolutely no idea if he was right, but it sounded good to me.

[Guest csfishinfool]

Yeah hes right, it just lays straight north and south on the sac side, and south east to north west on the other. It has about 10-12 miles to build up. Plus with the wind blowing that hard out of the south/south east, both sides get big, and when they clash by the island it get unreal. Me and my buddy were there last winter with a 30-40 mph day straight out of the south, we took out of orleans trail to get back to old state park. Thank god champion makes a good boat for rough water. It was unreal, easily 5-6 foot waves. I've only seen it bigger on Kentucky Lake and Pickwick

[KCRIVERRAT]

You know guys, It's true the way Stockton lies makes that lake produce some big waves, thus the sailboats. Think about about it though... Pomme lies the same way. I've been on Pomme many times in the spring and incurred some pretty hairy conditions, even in a big ol' Lund.

[straw hat]

Good Point. The only reason that I can think of is that Pomme De Terre Lake is only about 1/3 the size of Stockton. Maybe with the longer run the more wind velocity you can build up?

Has anyome heard any news on the lost boaters? The news I listened to last night didn't say anything about them.

[Bill Anderson]

I spent 30 years in the news media and ten years as a sheriff's deputy, and I can't tell you how many dozens of drownings I have covered. But all of them had one thing in common: NONE of the victims were wearing PFDs/life jackets. It's so simple and easy to put on one, but it just amazes me how foolish or stupid people can be when it comes to basic boating safety. I can't imagine a father not at least making sure his eight year old son had one on. These two deaths are so needless and so tragic. It seems people will never learn.

[straw hat]

I spent 30 years in the news media and ten years as a sheriff's deputy, and I can't tell you how many dozens of drownings I have covered. But all of them had one thing in common: NONE of the victims were wearing PFDs/life jackets. It's so simple and easy to put on one, but it just amazes me how foolish or stupid people can be when it comes to basic boating safety. I can't imagine a father not at least making sure his eight year old son had one on. These two deaths are so needless and so tragic. It seems people will never learn.

Bill you are so right. The new PFDs like the Sospender brand are so light and comfortable you really don't notice them. The old excuse of them being to uncomfortable is not valid anymore. Besides, inconvenient and alive is better than the alternative.

[mrgungho]

I spent 30 years in the news media and ten years as a sheriff's deputy, and I can't tell you how many dozens of drownings I have covered. But all of them had one thing in common: NONE of the victims were wearing PFDs/life jackets. It's so simple and easy to put on one, but it just amazes me how foolish or stupid people can be when it comes to basic boating safety. I can't imagine a father not at least making sure his eight year old son had one on. These two deaths are so needless and so tragic. It seems people will never learn.

My thoughts exactly. 8 years old. One of the most windy lakes around...I mean, it is horrible that this happened but it was definitely avoidable. What kind of boat were they in? It just says utility boat...are there anymore specifics about it? 16ft? V Hull? Just curious.

[Gilly]

[ What kind of boat were they in?]

A friend of mine works at the Stockton State Park Marina. Not certain if they towed the boat there or not but he said the boat was a jon boat, not over 16', but he guessed it to be 14'.