"Bob" wrote in message
...
In your defense and perhaps Joe's, it is easy to get caught up in this
rescue madness. Witness the poor bloke on the
'Satori.'http://www.westsail.org/satori.html

Wilbur Hubbard


To comments:

I read the Westsail link. Just another example of old guys not keeping
up on best proceedures and bosting of their past accomplishments,
Lying a hull is DISASTER in any seas larger than your beam. Thy will
be rolled. Heavy weather sailing requirres a progressive set of
stratigies. Lying a hull is great for a nice sunny family outing not a
survival stratgy.



True, I can see you have also read K. Adlard Coles. Lying ahull is an OK
strategy for most yachts in the early stages of a storm before wind and
fetch build the waves to dimensions so great that the amplitude and period
is conducive to rolling a yacht. However, a lot does depend upon the
underbody and topsides of the yacht so imperiled. The Westsail tends to lie
ahull with the bow somewhat into the wind and forereaching. It doesn't
generally lie sideways to the wind. I would imagine the Westsail lying ahull
would be safer longer than many modern fin keel/spade rudder designs that do
tend to lie ahull sideways. But, even in a Westsail, when push comes to
shove running before the storm would be a safer course of action. A stout
storm jib only would be the order of the day for me if I sailed a Westsail
32. Considering the canoe stern running before large winds and seas would be
quite tenable. Keeping a close watch out for rogue waves would be wise, as
well.



Second, to the arrogant ass last year who criticized me for keeping my
valise SOLAS life raft INSIDE my boat please read the following
fromthe Sarori link:


...............Satori was riding out the seas when a second knockdown
occurred. ...The boat went over approximately ninety degrees and again
righted herself. During this knockdown the life raft was torn from its
deck mount. Hitting the water the raft -- as designed -- inflated
immediately and its strobe light began flashing.....


tha is precisly why I keep the valise inside my boat. where It does
not have to suffer blistering 150+F temprature baking in a can on deck
for 10 years.

Also, less prone to theft.

Pennnington Ralph Rexroth




Keeping a life raft valise in the accommodation is not a bad plan. It has
many advantages and few disadvantages. Among the disadvantages is the
difficulty of rapid and safe deployment especially if the crew were
incapacitated in any way or if the boat were capsized.

But, everything tends to be a compromise of one sort or another in any blue
water yacht. The freedom to choose one's own path is one of the joys of
yachting. Suffering the consequences of ill choices or enjoying the benefits
of wise choices is also part and parcel of freedom of choice.

It seems to me the really wise and cautious blue water sailor would opt for
a positive flotation yacht such as one of the ETAPs over a vessel that sinks
when flooded thus making a life raft required equipment.

My blue water yacht has positive flotation installed by yours truly.


Wilbur Hubbard