Capt.Mooron wrote:
Again... it seems like the vessel was ill prepared to provide for it's
crew. Warmth and nourishment to maintain the body are a real requirement
in a heavy sea.

Exactly. And alcohol has useful calories, remember that!

I'd hesitate to call the vessel "ill-prepared" not knowing
the man or his boat or his habits with it, but it does sound
like he wasn't ready for this trip in this kind of weather.




Putting the rail in shouldn't be bad. Why the trouble
controlling course? That is an indication of something
either going wrong or about to go wrong.

I disagree there Doug.... I don't think that way in a rough sea....
rail in the water is fine at times.... but it is totally uncalled for in
rough conditions. It seems as if proper trim was not established.


What are you saying, you don't like the boat to lean over?
You wimp!

About proper trim, maybe so... one reason why he may have
had trouble keeping the boat on course is from unbalanced
sail plan. A staysail eould have been a better choice than
the tip of a rolled-up genoa.



From a summary viewpoint... he had equipment failure that may have been
prevented. He did not rig his vessel to undertake the sea conditions and
did not have adequate means of keeping himself warm and dry while in the
elements.


Agreed.

From sailing in cold and rough conditions for many years it is
paramount to never underestimate what you may encounter.

Agreed.

... Warm dry
clothing for such and even worse conditions are available. Proper
outfitting of the vessel to provide hot coffee underway in almost any
seastate is critical.

Agreed yet again, but it's expensive. A lot of people "just
make do" with lesser gear & clothing, which is OK as long as
you're not going to test it too rigorously or throw very
high stakes on the table if they fail (and IMHO hypothermia
is a big gamble)

... Double checking all gear prior to departure is
extremely important.


Agreed, and that doesn't cost anything.

Damn it, this is no way to run a newsgroup, agreeing all the
time. WTF is wrong with you? Go ahead, say it, the man had a
fin keeler!


If you live through it and learn from it.. it's adventure.


What is it if you live thru it and don't learn?

DSK