If you read the piracy reports, most pirates
don't even have guns. Machete's and knifes are the
common weapons. A gun against a group of poorly
armed pirates is a fair match. Pirates run from
fair matches and look for weaker targets.

Also, for piracy against sailboats, you are as
likely to encounter trouble in daytime as nightime.
Do you remember the man who had his throat cut
a few years ago, and left for dead? The pirates
stopped by to ask for wate--in daytime.

Joshua Slocom defeated pirates by spreading tacks
on his deck. It would not be hard to rig noise
makers to lifelines, or rig a higher tech alternative
to alert you. Also, if you have a crew it might
be a bad idea of keep a watch even at anchor in
dangerous locations.

There have been cases where unarmed people were
killed or left for dead. The choice is still yours.
You can chose to protect yourself or put your faith
in God. Chances are high you will never need a gun.
The risk is small but still finite and real.

I'd rather have along a shotgun that could serve
double duty as a line thrower and signalling device.
I'd use it for signaling for sure.

Bart

By the way, some of the older glass hulls can stop
a full load .357. One inch of fiberglass is stronger
than you think.

"Jonathan Ganz" wrote

Except that most pirates aren't interested in sailboats. Most
theives come aboard at night, when you're asleep. If you don't
confront them, they'll likely take the dink and keep going. If
you encounter a real pirate, the weapons they have will turn
your glass boat into Swiss Cheese.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"N1EE" wrote in message
om...
Sailors are known for planning ahead. If you
plan ahead enough to bring a gun, it seems
likely that you would be smart enough to
practice and be prepared to use it.

There are new types of ammunition that will
not penetrate a hull and would be suitable
for defense on a boat, and/or for signal use.

More than a few stories tell how sailors
fired a couple shots and scared off pirates.

If you run out on deck waving a gun, without any
sort of a plan, you will probably get killed
yourself.

If you are a sheepeople, don't bring a gun. If
you are leader, that is capable and responsible,
perhaps you might want to consider firearms
as a means to protect your loved ones.

Bart Senior