VIDEO: Waterspout Slalom in the Florida Keys

Published on Sep 25, 2013 by Kevin Johnsen: While catching lobster, multiple waterspouts touched down a short distance away. With plenty of lobster in the box, a great opportunity presented itself to film a close encounter with a weather phenomenon. This is my third time going through a waterspout in a boat, this one a mere 1/6 of the big waterspout from several years back. Fortunately, this time I had a video camera!

This not for anybody to try EVER and this is a delicately calculated risk based on dozens of fluid variables that change by the second. Waterspouts are typically short lived F0 rated tornadoes on the water with winds under 72mph. This was a likely an F0 waterspout, yet was strong enough to completely open my deck hatches and forcibly move the boat more than I expected.

The approach was intended to go with the wind at high speed to minimize the effect, yet provide the fullest, safest experience. Again, don’t ever do this! If you do, you’re gonna need a bigger boat!!