On Tue, 08 May 2007 09:21:52 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Tue, 08 May 2007 07:06:46 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

http://www.wvec.com/news/local/stori...642a3b1 .html

Anybody know if this storm was well-predicted?
A fluke?

As of Friday morning, May 4, it was forecasted as a developing low
pressure system with sustained winds over 30 kts. Hardly a surprise
to anyone who was paying attention.

How would a Mac 26M fare in these situations?

Your guess is as good as anyone else. No one in their right mind
would go off shore in a boat not designed for that kind of use.

If the boat isn't sinking, when would you send the distress signal?

If you have people seriously injured there isn't much choice. Boats
are usually tougher than people, and broken ribs, dehydration, or
hypothermia can all be life threatning.

There were broken ribs in one case here. And the seas were pretty
vicious from all accounts. I guess I asked this because I've seen
accounts where some ride it out while others decide - with no injuries
- to pack it in, leaving their vessels for salvors.
Probably too individual a thing to answer unless you've gone through
it.
And maybe, despite all efforts, I could get caught in a similar
situation, and I'm thinking that there are some measures of
preparedness that could help ride it out. Sea anchors, harnesses,
topside liferafts that would deploy if the boat sank, personal
EPIRB's, etc. Could be that preparedness would lessen the urge
to abandon.
Just hate the thought of abandoning a boat and putting the coasties at
risk when it's not a vital need.

--Vic