On May 8, 7:09�am, Vic Smith wrote:
On Tue, 08 May 2007 09:21:52 -0400, Wayne.B





wrote:
On Tue, 08 May 2007 07:06:46 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

http://www.wvec.com/news/local/stori...0707_uscg_resc...

Anybody know if this storm was well-predicted?
A fluke?

As of Friday morning, May 4, it was forecasted as a developing low
pressure system with sustained winds over 30 kts. *Hardly a surprise
to anyone who was paying attention.

How would a Mac 26M fare in these situations?

Your guess is as good as anyone else. *No one in their right mind
would go off shore in a boat not designed for that kind of use.

If the boat isn't sinking, when would you send the distress signal?

If you have people seriously injured there isn't much choice. *Boats
are usually tougher than people, and broken ribs, dehydration, or
hypothermia can all be life threatning.

There were broken ribs in one case here. *And the seas were pretty
vicious from all accounts. *I guess I asked this because I've seen
accounts where some ride it out while others decide - with no injuries
- to pack it in, leaving their vessels for salvors.
Probably too individual a thing to answer unless you've gone through
it.
And maybe, despite all efforts, I could get caught in a similar
situation, and I'm thinking that there are some measures of
preparedness that could help ride it out. *Sea anchors, harnesses,
topside liferafts that would deploy if the boat sank, personal
EPIRB's, etc. *Could be that preparedness would lessen the urge
to abandon.
Just hate the thought of abandoning a boat and putting the coasties at
risk when it's not a vital need.

--Vic- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

The primary plan should be avoiding that type of situation in the
first place.
I never leave the dock without first listening to the weather forecast
on the VHF.
It takes about 3-4 minutes to listen to the latest prerecorded update,
which is a perfect amount of time to warm up the engine.

Also, every boat should have a barometer, placed where it will be seen
frequently.
I have a clock and barometer on the aft bulkhead of the main cabin,
with the barometer mounted above the companionway leading aft. I see
it all the time, and consciously look at it 2-3 times a day. If the
forecast is favorable but the barometer suddenly starts to plummet, I
believe the barometer and not the forecast.

A Mac 26 would not do well in hurricane force winds, nor would the
majority of small sailboats. There are very good reasons why most
sensible boaters won't venture out in a near gale, let alone the winds
described in the news item.