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#1
posted to alt.sailing.asa,rec.boats.cruising
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dead engines, kayaks, and powerboaters
Taught a class this last weekend through one of the local schools. Saturday,
wind was light, so we practiced a lot of motoring skills aboard a newer Hunter 32. Typically, the second day is devoted to sailing skills, such as COBs and the usual tacking/jibing/points of sail, etc. The wind picked up a bit in mid-afternoon, and we got some good COB practice. Ate lunch under sail, and since anchoring knowledge is part of the class, I decided to get us over to the Cone Rock area for a bit of practice. Sailing there, a big cabin cruiser came up on us from the starboard stern... must have been going 10+ kts, with a huge wake. At first I thought he was going to cut us off to the point of us having to take evasive action, but he weaved around enough to clear our side and bow. The whole time we're waving and gesturing to slow down, since it was going to be close and the wake was going to be huge. He kept right on going, and as he got abeam, had the middle finger flying. What a jerk. Fortunately, we were all holding on at this point, so no one was hurt or thrown off the boat, which could easily have been the case. Ok, so we proceeded to sail, then got to a good spot to turn on the engine and drop the sails. Did this, motored about 200 meters, when the cooling water hi temp alarm came on. I was able to kill the engine within 20 seconds or so. A couple of the students were still up by the mast, so the main came back up without a hitch. As soon as they scrambled back to the cockpit, I popped the furling line for the jib, it came out, and we got moving again. We did a visual inspection of the engine... double checked that the raw water intake was open, oil level, fresh water level, feel for excessive heat, sniff test for something burning, belts are on and not slipping. I had someone turn the engine back on and I put my hand over the raw water exhaust (it's under the transom, and you can be fooled by air bubbling vs. water exiting). Water was definitely coming out, the water was luke warm at most, but the alarm was on. Also, I noticed oil on the absorbant pad underneath the engine... not a lot, but there was none in the morning... something happened. Well, we were sailing, so it didn't matter right now, and I shut down the engine after about a minute. Even though the water was only warm at most, I was starting to see steam coming out of the exhaust. I started thinking it might be a blown head gasket, one reason was it seemed overly rough at low idle. Since we were headed back to base anyway at this point, I figured I'd give them a ring (cell phone had great reception) and let the base manager know what was up and ask if he had any suggestions. He had none beyond what I'd already done, so I told him we'd be back in about an hour at most, and I would call him again if I thought we couldn't make it back to either the slip or an end tie near the base. I think he appreciated me not hailing them on the VHF... dirty laundry in public and all that. So, we're sailing down the Sausalito channel. Toward the end of the channel, where we need to go, it gets rather narrow, and it's quite easy to run aground if you get outside the markers. As we get to a particularly narrow spot (still under sail, which was good practice for the students), three kayakers come out of a marina and are slowly paddling ahead of us on our port side just outside the channel. I can see that they're totally unaware of us and edging closer and closer to the channel, obviously going to head across it. When I got within earshot, I called over to them, saying, please stay out of the channel... we're having engine trouble and can't maneauver. One asked me where he should be, and I said, anywhere except in front of me is fine. Another one stopped paddling, waiting for us to go by. The third guy kept going! Slowly! Unbelievable. So, I said, Sir, if you keep going, we're going to run you over. Please get out of the channel. He said ok, but kept going! So, I turned on the engine again, figuring I could use it for 30 seconds without damage, since it had been off for over 30 minutes. We got around him, barely. I thanked him for getting out of our way, and I think he thought I was serious. Jeez... Then, I turned off the engine. Well, the final leg was sailing down the fairway, very light wind at this point... under 2kts, but we made a beautiful docking, and all ended well. -- "j" ganz @@ www.sailnow.com |
#2
posted to alt.sailing.asa,rec.boats.cruising
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dead engines, kayaks, and powerboaters
"Capt. JG" wrote: Sailing there, a big cabin cruiser came up on us from the starboard stern... must have been going 10+ kts, with a huge wake. At first I thought he was going to cut us off to the point of us having to take evasive action, but he weaved around enough to clear our side and bow. The whole time we're waving and gesturing to slow down, since it was going to be close and the wake was going to be huge. He kept right on going, and as he got abeam, had the middle finger flying. Am convinced that for the most part, to qualify to receive the keys to a power vessel, you must certify you only have 2 brain cells, of which at least one must be dead. Lew |
#3
posted to alt.sailing.asa,rec.boats.cruising
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dead engines, kayaks, and powerboaters
"Lew Hodgett" wrote in message
... "Capt. JG" wrote: Sailing there, a big cabin cruiser came up on us from the starboard stern... must have been going 10+ kts, with a huge wake. At first I thought he was going to cut us off to the point of us having to take evasive action, but he weaved around enough to clear our side and bow. The whole time we're waving and gesturing to slow down, since it was going to be close and the wake was going to be huge. He kept right on going, and as he got abeam, had the middle finger flying. Am convinced that for the most part, to qualify to receive the keys to a power vessel, you must certify you only have 2 brain cells, of which at least one must be dead. Qualifications to own a big SeaRay are a lobotomy. Leanne |
#4
posted to alt.sailing.asa,rec.boats.cruising
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dead engines, kayaks, and powerboaters
"Leanne" wrote in message
... "Lew Hodgett" wrote in message ... "Capt. JG" wrote: Sailing there, a big cabin cruiser came up on us from the starboard stern... must have been going 10+ kts, with a huge wake. At first I thought he was going to cut us off to the point of us having to take evasive action, but he weaved around enough to clear our side and bow. The whole time we're waving and gesturing to slow down, since it was going to be close and the wake was going to be huge. He kept right on going, and as he got abeam, had the middle finger flying. Am convinced that for the most part, to qualify to receive the keys to a power vessel, you must certify you only have 2 brain cells, of which at least one must be dead. Qualifications to own a big SeaRay are a lobotomy. Leanne Heh... I don't get it I guess... do they really expect me to get out of the way? -- "j" ganz @@ www.sailnow.com |
#5
posted to alt.sailing.asa,rec.boats.cruising
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dead engines, kayaks, and powerboaters
On Tue, 6 Nov 2007 12:23:53 -0800, "Capt. JG"
wrote this crap: Heh... I don't get it I guess... do they really expect me to get out of the way? If they don't get out of your way, you can always hit them with your purse. I'm Horvath and I approve of this post. |
#6
posted to alt.sailing.asa,rec.boats.cruising
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dead engines, kayaks, and powerboaters
On Tue, 6 Nov 2007 12:08:34 -0800, "Lew Hodgett"
wrote: Am convinced that for the most part, to qualify to receive the keys to a power vessel, you must certify you only have 2 brain cells, of which at least one must be dead. Now wait just a minute here. Capt JG was in a 32 ft, seaworthy, ocean going sailboat, in open water. Why should he be concerned about a 2 or 3 ft wake? Let's get real. A wake is a wave by any other name. If you are worried about small waves in a 32 ft sailboat better to stay home. Power boats leave wakes (waves). It's a fact and has nothing to do with brain cells, moral fiber or any other personal characteristic. |
#7
posted to alt.sailing.asa,rec.boats.cruising
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dead engines, kayaks, and powerboaters
"Wayne.B" wrote in message
... On Tue, 6 Nov 2007 12:08:34 -0800, "Lew Hodgett" wrote: Am convinced that for the most part, to qualify to receive the keys to a power vessel, you must certify you only have 2 brain cells, of which at least one must be dead. Now wait just a minute here. Capt JG was in a 32 ft, seaworthy, ocean going sailboat, in open water. Why should he be concerned about a 2 or 3 ft wake? Let's get real. A wake is a wave by any other name. If you are worried about small waves in a 32 ft sailboat better to stay home. Power boats leave wakes (waves). It's a fact and has nothing to do with brain cells, moral fiber or any other personal characteristic. Who said it was seaworthy? :-) Certainly it isn't ocean capable. At least I wouldn't take it there. It was more like we experienced a 3-4 foot wake in close proximity to the source, with people on deck, and in otherwise calm conditions with very little wind. The boater came within 10 feet of us going over 10kts. You're saying this is appropriate behavior??? -- "j" ganz @@ www.sailnow.com |
#8
posted to alt.sailing.asa,rec.boats.cruising
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dead engines, kayaks, and powerboaters
On Tue, 6 Nov 2007 17:08:06 -0800, "Capt. JG"
wrote: The boater came within 10 feet of us going over 10kts. You're saying this is appropriate behavior??? Distances can be deceptive sometimes. I'm betting it was more than that but I understand your point. |
#9
posted to alt.sailing.asa,rec.boats.cruising
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dead engines, kayaks, and powerboaters
"Wayne.B" wrote in message
... On Tue, 6 Nov 2007 17:08:06 -0800, "Capt. JG" wrote: The boater came within 10 feet of us going over 10kts. You're saying this is appropriate behavior??? Distances can be deceptive sometimes. I'm betting it was more than that but I understand your point. Wait until one of these clowns rolls you beam ends and see happy you are. They know what they are doing when they will not even turn around on the bridge while I was sounding shorts blasts of the air horns. Leanne |
#10
posted to alt.sailing.asa,rec.boats.cruising
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dead engines, kayaks, and powerboaters
"Wayne.B" wrote in message
... On Tue, 6 Nov 2007 17:08:06 -0800, "Capt. JG" wrote: The boater came within 10 feet of us going over 10kts. You're saying this is appropriate behavior??? Distances can be deceptive sometimes. I'm betting it was more than that but I understand your point. They can, and I'll restate to say 15 feet, but literally about that.. about 1/2 boat length, maybe less.. It was pretty scary for the two people by the mast. -- "j" ganz @@ www.sailnow.com |
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