Preventing Dismasting
 

"scbafreak via BoatKB.com" u25927@uwe wrote in message
news:6c017a6e846c1@uwe...
There is an old saying that "you always step up into a liferaft" . In
otherwords dont get off the boat untill you are sure its going down.

In this case the Coast Gaurd had ordered them off the boat but they had
made
a mayday call and had no idea what to do.

Hmm.. sounds like it was Pan Pan situation not a mayday.

DP

Preventing Dismasting
 

"scbafreak via BoatKB.com" u25927@uwe wrote in message
news:6c017a6e846c1@uwe...
There is an old saying that "you always step up into a liferaft" . In

snip

Needless to say, before I attempt a real blue water trip I will need to
know
what the boat can handle and how to trust in that.

Does anyone recommend taking your boat out in bad weather on purpose,
locally,
in order to test the boat and your abilities? I know there are classes in
this but if you are capable and experienced, do you go out to test the
boat
and check for leaks and such with prior notification to CG or anything
like
that? It seems like a lot of problems could be fixed before someone sets
out
for a longer voyage if they have been through it on purpose at least once.


Absolutely! But within reason. Certainly not in 50+ knots close to a lee
shore. But next time your out why not reef down and see how you ride out an
oncoming storm. Everyone gets caught in them. So you might as well get used
to them.

Even though it was only inshore, we managed to race an entire series in
winds over 30 knots on extremely lightweight 24 ft trailer yachts a few
years back. There was minimal damage as most people raced conservatively
instead of pushing their boats as they would have in 20-25 knots. Of course
storms at sea are much more difficult. But on the safety of a lake or
harbour you are able to test your systems without risking your life too
much.

DP

Preventing Dismasting
 

Absolutely! But within reason. Certainly not in 50+ knots close to a lee
shore. But next time your out why not reef down and see how you ride out an
oncoming storm. Everyone gets caught in them. So you might as well get used
to them.

Even though it was only inshore, we managed to race an entire series in
winds over 30 knots on extremely lightweight 24 ft trailer yachts a few
years back. There was minimal damage as most people raced conservatively
instead of pushing their boats as they would have in 20-25 knots. Of course
storms at sea are much more difficult. But on the safety of a lake or
harbour you are able to test your systems without risking your life too
much.

That sounds like so much fun. I'll remember to take my boat out in some
harsher conditions, when I get one, to practice before I really go anywhere.
Thanks for the advice.

Bill

--
Message posted via BoatKB.com
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Preventing Dismasting
 

"scbafreak via BoatKB.com" u25927@uwe wrote in message
news:6c090f4cc9cc4@uwe...
Absolutely! But within reason. Certainly not in 50+ knots close to a lee
shore. But next time your out why not reef down and see how you ride out
an
oncoming storm. Everyone gets caught in them. So you might as well get
used
to them.

Even though it was only inshore, we managed to race an entire series in
winds over 30 knots on extremely lightweight 24 ft trailer yachts a few
years back. There was minimal damage as most people raced conservatively
instead of pushing their boats as they would have in 20-25 knots. Of
course
storms at sea are much more difficult. But on the safety of a lake or
harbour you are able to test your systems without risking your life too
much.

That sounds like so much fun. I'll remember to take my boat out in some
harsher conditions, when I get one, to practice before I really go
anywhere.
Thanks for the advice.

Bill


I will assume by your posts that you havent had a great deal of experience
at all yet. Certainly dont go out in a "blow" intentionally for at least 12
months, unless you have an experienced sailor/s on board with you. By
experienced, I also mean one that has sailed your type or similar before.
Its no good getting the world champion dinghy sailor on board if he has
never sailed a yacht before.

I would highly recomend doing some proper courses too. Your national yaching
association will be able to assist in finding the right school..

DP

Preventing Dismasting
 

I will assume by your posts that you havent had a great deal of experience
at all yet. Certainly dont go out in a "blow" intentionally for at least 12
months, unless you have an experienced sailor/s on board with you. By
experienced, I also mean one that has sailed your type or similar before.
Its no good getting the world champion dinghy sailor on board if he has
never sailed a yacht before.

I would highly recomend doing some proper courses too. Your national yaching
association will be able to assist in finding the right school..

DP

I haven't that's why I am asking so many questions. It will be a while
before I go out in anything strong. I am learning from some really
experienced people that usually either single hand sail or go out with their
wives but they are looking for someone that can crew for them that actually
wants to sail. They are starting slow just because its all informal and they
have to work around their families that live onboard with them but they want
to go out and do more stuff that thier wives are not really interested in.

If I don't think i am really learning much from them I will probably get some
professional courses.

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Preventing Dismasting
 

D Parker wrote:
....

On a side note. Always make sure your grab back is bouyant. For instance
water bottles should not be full and should have lanyards. Then they will
float and not sink if lost overboard.


My Father-in-Law spent 18 days in a lifeboat when his tanker got
torpedoed off of The Cape Verde Islands at the end of WWII. The
emergency radio sank when it was dropped getting into the boat! Even
if the transmitter was not strong enough to reach anyone, the receiver
would have provided time signals for determining Longitude. As it
turned out, my FiL was the radio officer, and had calibrated his
watch, which survived.

After 13 days they reached Tobago but were afraid to make a night
approach, and ended up drifting by. They were picked up near Curacao
5 days later.

Preventing Dismasting
 

"Jeff" wrote in message
...
D Parker wrote:
...

On a side note. Always make sure your grab back is bouyant. For instance
water bottles should not be full and should have lanyards. Then they will
float and not sink if lost overboard.


My Father-in-Law spent 18 days in a lifeboat when his tanker got torpedoed
off of The Cape Verde Islands at the end of WWII. The emergency radio
sank when it was dropped getting into the boat! Even if the transmitter
was not strong enough to reach anyone, the receiver would have provided
time signals for determining Longitude. As it turned out, my FiL was the
radio officer, and had calibrated his watch, which survived.

After 13 days they reached Tobago but were afraid to make a night
approach, and ended up drifting by. They were picked up near Curacao 5
days later.

Wow.. scary stuff.. particularly in those days when SAR wasnt near as
advanced as it is these days.

D{

Preventing Dismasting
 

The standard emergency rescue radio in WWII was "the Gibson Girl." I don't
know if anyone was ever saved by using one. I'd be glad to hear of any
positive results if anyone knows of any.

Bill Longyard



----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff"

My Father-in-Law spent 18 days in a lifeboat when his tanker got torpedoed
off of The Cape Verde Islands at the end of WWII. The emergency radio
sank when it was dropped getting into the boat! Even if the transmitter
was not strong enough to reach anyone, the receiver would have provided
time signals for determining Longitude. As it turned out, my FiL was the
radio officer, and had calibrated his watch, which survived.

After 13 days they reached Tobago but were afraid to make a night
approach, and ended up drifting by. They were picked up near Curacao 5
days later.