I'm surprised no one offers a gizmo that would electronically undo the
autopilot if the rope is pulled hard enough. IIRC my autopilot has a
'deadman' setting, I believe you must reset it every 15 minutes or it will
steer upwind(?).

Scotty

"Flying Tadpole" wrote in message
...


Joe wrote:

Flying Tadpole wrote in message
...
Bobsprit wrote:

The Boat: Cape Dory 36
Conditions: Fair, boat speed 4.5 knots on a reach

What a disaster! You were sailing alone, 400 miles offshore. No land
or vessels
in sight. Your Autohelm 4000 autopilot engaged you sat down for a
meal when you
heard a strange noise. Back on deck you see that part of the
backstay adjuster
is coming loose. You get to work and place your foot on the aft
railing. The
boat lurches from a gust and wave. It's a one in a million shot, but
it's
happened. You've fallen off the boat!!!!
You spin fast in the water and grab the 15 foot long line you were
trailing.
Slowly, chocking on water rushing over you, you manage to pull your
self to the
stern. It's exhausting, but you make it to the stern. Only you can't
pull the
ladder down!!! You can't get aboard. The rush of cold water is
wearing you down
fast.

What can you do????



Turn the rudder with your feet to head upwind and stop the boat.

Joe

That wasn't my post but here's an answer: on Lady Kate you'd
never reach the rudder with any sort of water flow. I would
think the same goes for any sailboat that doesn't have a
transom-mounted rudder. More to the point, if you must trail a
line then attach it to the tiller so that if you did grab it in
the suicide scenario it'd smash the self steering, set the boat
aback and dismast. Wheel steering? Take another breath of water.
--
Flying Tadpole

-------------------------
Break Away, Sail Away and putz away
now at http://music.download.com/internetopera