Re: catalina27-talk: Re: Single-handling

[ahoyther]

Hi John, I single hand all the time in Penobscot waters and use an Autohelm 4000.  These are very cold waters so remaining immersed for any length is not only uncomfortable but easily, without rescue, subject to one possibly expiring from  hypothermia.  If it's daylight there is a pretty good chance some lobsterman is going to see you.  We tend to think the safety of our cockpits is enough but it really isn't.  It's too easy to loose footing, miss grasping something and tumbling overboard while the boat sails away leaving you bobbing and watching it sail away.  It can be very lonely and quiet out there!  I think you have the boarding ladder at the stern.  Be sure that is deployed when you go out.  The PDF's need to be worn at all times and tethered especially if you have to go forward or go up on the cabin top.  Be sure your PDF is current and ready to inflate and  that you know how to inflate it.  You need to have your hand held VHF in the cockpit on channel 16 and keep your family informed of where you are in case you are overdue so the CG knows where to start looking. This past fall we had a situation where a father and son were taking their sail boat from Rockland, Maine to Massachusetts.  They took off one Saturday in marginal conditions.  The father fell overboard sans PDF a few miles off shore, and I don't believe has yet been found.  The son drifted around for about four or five days as evidently battery was low or he couldn't get the engine started and either his VHF was not on board or it, too, was out of battery.  His cell phone didn't appear to work, either.  He ended up 135 or so miles off the east coast before finally a fisherman found him.  I was out on the following Tuesday listening to the CG broadcast every half hour with a description of the boat asking for anyone to report seeing the boat as the family had reported it being over due. Be sure all systems are working, batteries fully charged.  Expect and prepare for the worse as you can have an injury or a coronary. Dave Hoy WYANOKEE #6295 Camden, Maine        [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Listees   Thinking about trying it alone this coming year.  Installed an autohelm last year, next year lazy jacks.  Already have the requisite auto-inflatable PFD.  But have not figured out the best way to get back in the boat if I happen to fall in and the boat is nearby.      Any thoughts, suggestions, experiences?   John Jennings Escapade 83 Standard, 5267 Hopkins Creek off Middle River, MD