BoatBanter.com - View Single Post - Dangerous Maga-yacht in Maine

Gary

Wayne.B wrote:
On 31 Jul 2006 13:36:29 -0700, wrote:

Just exactly when is a singlehanded sailor in a strong wind expected to
drop the sheet or the steering apparatus to pick up, turn on, tune in
the correct channel, and broadcast a radio call on a handheld radio?
When some rich asshole in a big yacht is about to run him over, I
guess.

Attitude check.

The guy running the yacht was probably working for a living, and a
long way from rich. Your other description is unworthy of comment.

Sailing single handed in a strong breeze does not excuse anyone from
seamanlike obligations or responsibilities, e.g., the radio
could/should have been readily at hand and turned on, sail
could/should have been shortened to a more managable level, an
autopilot could/should be available when single or short handing.

You have some dangerous preconceptions.

The entire single handed thing is lame. I always single hand, no
biggie, 33 foot boat. The hard part is berthing. People regularly
single hand much bigger boats in much more difficult conditions. They
talk on radios, cook etc. Single handing a 32 footer is about the
easiest thing to single hand. Try a 60 footer or any dinghy. Both are
harder.