Ok. I stand corrected. However, claiming that it has been used again and
again to "save lives" is a gross exaggeration.

I don't think it's silly at all. It seems like a pretty important
discussion... especially if someone is mislead into thinking that a swim
platform is position of choice to recover someone from the water in all but
the most benign conditions.

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

"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
ps.com...
But, what you're saying is that this option was a prime consideration
in
your purchase of your boat because of its safety feature.


NEVER EVER did I post such a thing, Jonathan. I like the swim platform
mainly because they are a ton of fun, especially for the kids.
In fact...in every response to you I've stated that in NO WAY is the
platform a prime safety feature. Yet history shows it has been used
again and again to save lives and obviously many times not recorded.
It's silly to argue otherwise. No one is suggesting the platform be
used instead of SOP, only that a swim platform COULD and HAS been a
viable option. That gives a 35s5 one more way to save a life in
experienced hands.

Hate to tell you, but I'm dead right... the link below describes a
trawler,
not a sailboat. He also used a lifesling.

This is getting pretty silly. Trawler, sailboat or Multihull....the
swim platform CAN and HAS saved lives. Using it with a lifesling
doesn't mean they were able to get the victim aboard without the
platform. Clearly they did what worked, which meant using the sling
COMBINED with the platform.
You're just not making any sense. It's as if you're pretending that I'm
saying the platform is the best MOB device, which I never said or
implied anywhere. You can't argue with history. Or you can...but not
with me.

Here's another rescue...keep in mind that the swim platform should
never be used during a passive recovery of course.

http://www.ussailing.org/safety/Resc...01_erie_oh.htm

History, Jonathan. The swim platform HAS saved lives. Is it the best
course of action? No one has said that it is.

Hell...the swim platform can even save your dog!!!!

http://www.pembrokecorgi.org/art_boating.html



RB
35s5...the safer boat
NY

especially if someone is mislead into thinking that a swim
platform is position of choice to recover someone from the water in all
but
the most benign conditions.


Benign conditions, especially in very cold water, have led to deaths.
So we can agree than in certain conditions a swim platform MIGHT come
in handy...which is all I ever said.
Still, I know someone who would have died without one.

RB
35s5
NY

But, the chance of an MOB in benign conditions is remote. There might be
cheeze on the moon, but that doesn't make it likely.

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

"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
oups.com...
especially if someone is mislead into thinking that a swim
platform is position of choice to recover someone from the water in all
but
the most benign conditions.


Benign conditions, especially in very cold water, have led to deaths.
So we can agree than in certain conditions a swim platform MIGHT come
in handy...which is all I ever said.
Still, I know someone who would have died without one.

RB
35s5
NY

But, the chance of an MOB in benign conditions is remote. There might
be
cheeze on the moon, but that doesn't make it likely.

I don't agree with that, Jonathan. The ONLY time I went overboard is
when it was calm. I was of my guard. I've seen more people go overboard
in calm conditions. Sailing hard, folks usually hang on for dear life.
It's those easy days that send surprised crew over the side, close to
home. In cold water a dumb accident like that could be your last if you
can't get back on board easily. I have a few friends who sail the
winter here. One has a swim platform....the other doesn't. The one
without leaves his lightly tied with a line that can he can easily pull
from the water. But the boat with the platform is safer.

RB
35s5
NY

Come on Bob. If you're going to troll, at least try and sound reasonable.

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

"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
oups.com...
But, the chance of an MOB in benign conditions is remote. There might
be
cheeze on the moon, but that doesn't make it likely.

I don't agree with that, Jonathan. The ONLY time I went overboard is
when it was calm. I was of my guard. I've seen more people go overboard
in calm conditions. Sailing hard, folks usually hang on for dear life.
It's those easy days that send surprised crew over the side, close to
home. In cold water a dumb accident like that could be your last if you
can't get back on board easily. I have a few friends who sail the
winter here. One has a swim platform....the other doesn't. The one
without leaves his lightly tied with a line that can he can easily pull
from the water. But the boat with the platform is safer.

RB
35s5
NY

Just to follow up... check the latest Cruising World. There's a discussion
about MOBs, but the point of interest for you would be the pictures of the
Beneteau 393 with swim platform. They're practiciing MOBs and picking them
up on the side in very modest conditions.

The method discussed in the text highlighted picking people up on the beam
on the leeward side.

In the recent MOB symposium out here, every senior instructor present,
without exception, used the side of the boat for recovery. In fact, one of
the guys was asked about swim platforms, and he said that's what they should
be used for "not for MOBs, no way, don't do it."

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

"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
oups.com...
But, the chance of an MOB in benign conditions is remote. There might
be
cheeze on the moon, but that doesn't make it likely.

I don't agree with that, Jonathan. The ONLY time I went overboard is
when it was calm. I was of my guard. I've seen more people go overboard
in calm conditions. Sailing hard, folks usually hang on for dear life.
It's those easy days that send surprised crew over the side, close to
home. In cold water a dumb accident like that could be your last if you
can't get back on board easily. I have a few friends who sail the
winter here. One has a swim platform....the other doesn't. The one
without leaves his lightly tied with a line that can he can easily pull
from the water. But the boat with the platform is safer.

RB
35s5
NY

Hey Nutsy,

Just as a matter of information; Just how many times have you boarded a
boat from the water using a swim platform?



http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ThomPage

If it happened in cold water, or while alone, its more
serious. In the cases above, it was cause for a lot of teasing for a
long time
afterward, but no one died. ...


It's happened on the LIS a few times. People go over in cold water, but
on a calm day and can't get back on board. It's a really sad way to
go....a swim platform or at least a reachable ladder can save a life.
I've heard that in some cases at night it was call of nature, but it's
generally a word of mouth story. I doubt families would be interested
in releasing such a detail.

RB
35s5
NY

Just as a matter of information; Just how many times have you boarded
a
boat from the water using a swim platform?


Last summer we had our first exposure to swim platforms on three boats:
A Catalina 400, Catalina 34 and the 35s5. I did not swim off the 35s5,
but others did. We really liked it and it's an obvious bonus for kids.
Suzanne said it was the best spot on the boat, letting her feet drag in
the water (slowing us down). I don't know about that, but it's
certainly a fun feature for swimming and feeding the ducks. On the 400
we boarded from a dinghy and WOW! was that ever easier, even in chop.
After a season with the boat I'll let you know how much use it got.

RB
35s5...and a hell of nice swim platform!
NY