Well, with Halloween coming up this might be a good question. Some
folks really dread a squall and get worked up over them. I have a
friend who loves sailing, but he's truly scared of the water for no
reason he can put his finger on. My exgirlfriend gets spooked on board
at night, especially when anchored out alone.
For me...? Sharks. I really have to force it from my mind when cleaning
the bottom or just swimming with my wife. No matter how tiny the risk
(really tiny on the LIS), it still goes through my mind...that sudden
tug, the pop as my knee gives way and the rush of water as the 14
footer sweeps around for a second attack. Flailing, I manage to get a
few good strokes and I'm aware that my body is lighter...much lighter.
I get my forearms onto the 35s5 swim platform and sea water mixed with
blood washes over the white gelcoat. I manage to get halfway up and a
sudden pressure on my midsection takes my breath away. Instinctively I
sink my index finger into the shark's eye and he lets go. Deep in shock
I somehow manage to bring my head and torse onto the platform. Both of
my legs are gone above the knee. With each breath blood pumps slowly
from a dozen puncture wounds starting below my armpit. Glancing at my
hand I see part of the sharks eye smeared onto the top of the ladder.
At least they'll know I put up a fight. Thinking of all the movies
where dying actors said "I'm so cold." I smile and say it aloud, my
last words. I can't get into the cockpit, my arms useless lead now, but
I'm glad to die on board rather than in the water.

Happy Halloween!

Robert B
Beneteau 35s5
NY

On Sat, 29 Oct 2005 17:18:37 -0700, Capt. Rob wrote:


but I'm glad to die
on board rather than in the water.

But on board, you are just a dead carcass. In the water, at least you
would be fish food, sustaining life. Besides, the story ends with the
body. Without the body, the mystery, the legend lives on.

What scares me is totally incompetent sailors, the ones who pretend to know
the rules of the road, but actually don't. Power boaters I can deal with,
because I'm expecting the worst.

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

"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
oups.com...
Well, with Halloween coming up this might be a good question. Some
folks really dread a squall and get worked up over them. I have a
friend who loves sailing, but he's truly scared of the water for no
reason he can put his finger on. My exgirlfriend gets spooked on board
at night, especially when anchored out alone.
For me...? Sharks. I really have to force it from my mind when cleaning
the bottom or just swimming with my wife. No matter how tiny the risk
(really tiny on the LIS), it still goes through my mind...that sudden
tug, the pop as my knee gives way and the rush of water as the 14
footer sweeps around for a second attack. Flailing, I manage to get a
few good strokes and I'm aware that my body is lighter...much lighter.
I get my forearms onto the 35s5 swim platform and sea water mixed with
blood washes over the white gelcoat. I manage to get halfway up and a
sudden pressure on my midsection takes my breath away. Instinctively I
sink my index finger into the shark's eye and he lets go. Deep in shock
I somehow manage to bring my head and torse onto the platform. Both of
my legs are gone above the knee. With each breath blood pumps slowly
from a dozen puncture wounds starting below my armpit. Glancing at my
hand I see part of the sharks eye smeared onto the top of the ladder.
At least they'll know I put up a fight. Thinking of all the movies
where dying actors said "I'm so cold." I smile and say it aloud, my
last words. I can't get into the cockpit, my arms useless lead now, but
I'm glad to die on board rather than in the water.

Happy Halloween!

Robert B
Beneteau 35s5
NY

What scares me is going up the mast with
some guy I don't know and don't trust
tailing the halyard.

"Capt. JG" wrote
What scares me is totally incompetent sailors, the ones who pretend to
know
the rules of the road, but actually don't. Power boaters I can deal with,
because I'm expecting the worst.

Yeah, that's pretty high on my list also.... no pun intended.

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

"Bart Senior" .@. wrote in message ...
What scares me is going up the mast with
some guy I don't know and don't trust
tailing the halyard.

"Capt. JG" wrote
What scares me is totally incompetent sailors, the ones who pretend to
know
the rules of the road, but actually don't. Power boaters I can deal with,
because I'm expecting the worst.

Climbing up a tree as high as you can get using an aluminium ladder,
because said tree sat back on the chainsaw bar, so you know there's not
a lot holding it up, to put a steel sling around the trunk as high up
as possible, so as to winch it over the direction it was *meant* to
fall. And it's windy. And there's a 415V 3 phase power line in the
direction it *wants* to fall. And last year you spent 2 weeks in
hospital being operated on numerous times after falling when a ladder
slipped.....

I've quit felling trees for the year. Especially near powerlines.

PDW

In article , Bart Senior .@. wrote:

What scares me is going up the mast with
some guy I don't know and don't trust
tailing the halyard.

"Capt. JG" wrote
What scares me is totally incompetent sailors, the ones who pretend to
know
the rules of the road, but actually don't. Power boaters I can deal with,
because I'm expecting the worst.

"Peter Wiley" wrote in message
. ..

Climbing up a tree as high as you can get using an aluminium ladder,
because said tree sat back on the chainsaw bar, so you know there's not
a lot holding it up, to put a steel sling around the trunk as high up
as possible, so as to winch it over the direction it was *meant* to
fall. And it's windy. And there's a 415V 3 phase power line in the
direction it *wants* to fall. And last year you spent 2 weeks in
hospital being operated on numerous times after falling when a ladder
slipped.....

I've quit felling trees for the year. Especially near powerlines.

PDW

Management has mentioned on more than one occasion the possibility that we
might have to use fall arresting gear when climbing more than 6' high.

John Cairns


In article , Bart Senior .@. wrote:

What scares me is going up the mast with
some guy I don't know and don't trust
tailing the halyard.

"Capt. JG" wrote
What scares me is totally incompetent sailors, the ones who pretend to
know
the rules of the road, but actually don't. Power boaters I can deal
with,
because I'm expecting the worst.

In article , John
Cairns wrote:

"Peter Wiley" wrote in message
. ..

Climbing up a tree as high as you can get using an aluminium ladder,
because said tree sat back on the chainsaw bar, so you know there's not
a lot holding it up, to put a steel sling around the trunk as high up
as possible, so as to winch it over the direction it was *meant* to
fall. And it's windy. And there's a 415V 3 phase power line in the
direction it *wants* to fall. And last year you spent 2 weeks in
hospital being operated on numerous times after falling when a ladder
slipped.....

I've quit felling trees for the year. Especially near powerlines.

PDW

Management has mentioned on more than one occasion the possibility that we
might have to use fall arresting gear when climbing more than 6' high.

Not a bad idea in general; we insist on it when working aloft on
commercial ships for example. However, dubious benefit IMO attaching
yourself to something that's going to fall over soon, you're just not
sure quite when or in which direction. My judgement error in cutting
it, my responsibility to deal with the consequences. I was going to try
jumping clear if neccesary and hope I didn't break the same bones as
last time.

Stupidity has its price. That time I got away with it but it was the
most scary thing I've done for a few years.

PDW

It is not fun topping big trees. There is no place
to run when you are roped in, then there is the
whipping of the truck when the top falls.

"Peter Wiley" wrote

Climbing up a tree as high as you can get using an aluminium ladder,
because said tree sat back on the chainsaw bar, so you know there's not
a lot holding it up, to put a steel sling around the trunk as high up
as possible, so as to winch it over the direction it was *meant* to
fall. And it's windy. And there's a 415V 3 phase power line in the
direction it *wants* to fall. And last year you spent 2 weeks in
hospital being operated on numerous times after falling when a ladder
slipped.....

I've quit felling trees for the year. Especially near powerlines.

PDW

Bart Senior .@. wrote:

What scares me is going up the mast with
some guy I don't know and don't trust
tailing the halyard.

"Capt. JG" wrote
What scares me is totally incompetent sailors, the ones who pretend to
know
the rules of the road, but actually don't. Power boaters I can deal
with,
because I'm expecting the worst.

Pete, I usually put the cable on BEFORE I start cutting.

You may want to adopt this method.

Scotty


"Peter Wiley" wrote in message
. ..

Climbing up a tree as high as you can get using an aluminium
ladder,
because said tree sat back on the chainsaw bar, so you know
there's not
a lot holding it up, to put a steel sling around the trunk as
high up
as possible, so as to winch it over the direction it was
*meant* to
fall. And it's windy. And there's a 415V 3 phase power line in
the
direction it *wants* to fall. And last year you spent 2 weeks
in
hospital being operated on numerous times after falling when a
ladder
slipped.....

I've quit felling trees for the year. Especially near
powerlines.

PDW

In article , Bart Senior .@.
wrote:

What scares me is going up the mast with
some guy I don't know and don't trust
tailing the halyard.

"Capt. JG" wrote
What scares me is totally incompetent sailors, the ones who
pretend to
know
the rules of the road, but actually don't. Power boaters I
can deal with,
because I'm expecting the worst.