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Catalina 30
wrote:
You just self-insured against future trauma...ever consider crewing on
Trans-Pacs? G Seriously, small coastal cruisers who know blue water
techniques (and keep their wits in a blow) are usually welcome as
watchkeepers on 50 footers.
In addition to what I've done with my own boats, I've assisted on
several deliveries up & down the California coast and would love to do
some transpacs or deliveries back. I love the rhythm you get into after
a couple days and there's nothing better than a night watch on a dark
moonless night when the phosphorescence is really bright.
Unfortunately, ever since we were forced to downsize a couple of years
ago, getting that kind of uninterrupted time away from the office is a
tough one. In a few years though, once our youngest is well entrenched
in college, we're working towards slipping the lines for an open ended trip.
I suggest rigging a "low voltage" alarm, or carry those Zodiac-style
battery powered nav lights. Shipping lanes with no lights is no joke
even in flat water...most of those guys only stand watch for large
metal boats these days, or so it seems.
I've made sure that the voltage can be checked in my current boat by
simply pushing a button while sitting at the nav station and the
readings go into the hourly log entry whenever passage making (which I
define as any trip long enough to establish watches). I may not be the
sharpest tack in the box, but I do try not to make the same (or related)
mistake more than once.
Fair winds - Dan
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Dan Best - (707) 431-1662, Healdsburg, CA 95448
B-2/75 1977-1979 http://rangerbest.home.comcast.net/ChinookDrop.JPG
Tayana 37 #192, "Tricia Jean" http://rangerbest.home.comcast.net/TriciaJean.JPG
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