Small plastic whistles cost about a buck each. Lash one to every PFD
aboard. At night, or even during the day in rough seas, it could
easily mean the difference between finding a COB (or MOB, or SOB) or
not. Of course if you're single handing, the boat won't care how
much noise you make, but a nearby boat would.
For single handing (or alone on deck at night) I'm a big tether
fan. Even if it doesn't keep you completely aboard, if you are
attached to the boat you stand a much better chance of surviving than
if you watch it go away.
Chris
At 03:04 PM 12/4/2005, you wrote:
Hi Dave,
Your e-mail brought back memories of Penobscot Bay. But first,
amen to a PFD with a harness, with a waterproof VHF on your belt, plus a
whistle. Add the small type package of 3 sky flares. If you wear eyeglasses,
wear rec specs (Sears for $100). A hat with a chin strap. Expect jeers from
your dockmates. But thay will all say, when pressed, it's agood idea.
A 6 ft tether is just right to keep you attached to the boat when you fall
overboard and are dragged. So we add that quick release shackle, but then why
the tether if it doesn't keep you aboard. So we need a tether that is can be
shortened and is adjustable with one hand. Low tech problem, but no solution.
I'm experimenting with some mountain climbing gear.
Jacklines on the C-27 small side decks, as explained in most manuals are also
impractical. It won't keep yopu aboard. On the 27, that jack line should be
as close to the centerline as possible. There is nothing aft of the mast on
deck substantial enough to hook a jackline, so run jacklines from the mast
back to the ends of the traveler. At the mast, you can hook on to a spinnaker
ring.
The narrowing curved foredeck with no appreciable toerail does not help. The
Mainsheet last year had a article on using a spinnaker halyard attached to
your harness to keep you on board. Just don't come about or jibe,or you may
be flying out to leeward. But you'll be aboard. I started an experiment with
this, but the season ran out.
Of course, the lifelines themselves are just the right height to trip you
overboard. Expect to use them only as handholds.
Getting out of the cockpit around the dodger does give you a tenuous handhold,
but little security.
Boat manufacturers don't want to approach this problem.
As a noted writer said, you must have an absolute fear of going overboard if
you are to sail a boat.
So singlehanding a 27 or any small boat is a challenge.
Alas I've used my alotted space, so I'll get back t o my story later.
Harvey Rosenberg C-27TR #6023, Stony Point NY (still aboard).
------ Original Message ------
Received: Sun, 04 Dec 2005 11:34:05 AM EST
From: ahoyther <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: Re: Single-handling
> 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
>
>
