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buzzman2
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:16 am 
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Location: Columbus Ohio
DavidBell47 wrote:
I'm not understanding what the issue is about falling off your boat. That's something I was concerned about when I first started sailing 5 years ago but as you become more familiar with your boat, that concern deminishes.

Does that mean that you can't fall off you boat??? Absolutely not. It just means that you will soon be able to isolate the conditions in which falling off your boat is possible. The biggest question is "will the boat stop if you fall off?" I've found that falling off your boat usually involves some form of radical sailing (i.e. flying a hull, trapezing, sailing on a broad reach sitting on the stern of the boat). In almost all of those cases. if you fall off the boat, the boat is going to capsize. Also be aware that in strong winds, a capsized boat can even move faster than you can swim. For me, in those instances where falling off applies, my hawaiian righting line doubles as a lifeline. I make sure that it has a lot of slack in it just in case I need to reach for it.

I sail solo 90% of the time in the Pacific with 6 foot swells & 30mph winds and I can't remember a time when I've even almost fallen off my boat. That dosen't mean that it won't happen. That's why I keep my GPS & VHF in a sports fanny-pack at all times when sailing. This is mother nature we're talking about and nothing is fool-proof. My suggestion is to just go out and enjoy yourself with safety-first a priority and not to sail outside your comfort zone. Of course, it's a lot more fun when you do. :lol: .



6 foot swells and 30 mph winds? You must have velcro on your butt. Your definition of radical sailing is normal for alot of us. I've fallen off become seperated and swam following my boat to shore. If it hadn't been for the shore, I never would have caught up with my boat. and I am a better than average swimmer. I've always learned to have a pretty good handle on my mainsheet. I have learned to never let go after that incident. I would have been a gonner in a big body of water. I always capsize by holding onto the main, but I think it's better than being seperated. I always keep a whistle and orange flag in my life vest. When you are 3-4 miles out with swells and your boat is on it's side. No one sees you, no one. :( I've been out that far solo in swells and turtled and it's a little uneasy of a feeling. :o
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zzcoreyzz
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:57 am 
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Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:42 pm
Posts: 209
Location: Irvine, California
Jbernier wrote:
Attach a snap shackle on your waist (or to your harness...really easy) and just pass the mainsheet through it. This way you're always attached..and it doesn't require any special ropes to tangle in...works really slick, and takes 1 second to disconnect.

I find this idea to be brilliant. This is going to be my new MO. Thanks!

David:
They finished with dredging Baby Beach, so I'm back sailing at Dana Point, again. There's some spots to launch at Newport, but I don't like the boaters, there (especially the Huffy electric rentals and the huge "holier-than-thou" yachters).

Long Beach was fun, but the gay community up there was a little too forward towards me. I don't think I can get used to shirtless guys doing sit-ups at my feet or bending over gyrating their butts at me. I suppose I should be flattered, but all I felt was the creeps.

I have friends in LA who sail with me from time to time, so I'll be back, but I love Dana. It's a family oriented beach with lots of ladies in bikinis. More my style. There's a decent boat ramp down here. Come on down sometime.

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Say it SOFT and it's almost like praying.....
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DavidBell47
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:37 pm 
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Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 12:56 pm
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Location: Los Angeles
Wait a minute Buzz . . . . let me check. Nope no velcro. Hopwever, there is a substance I spray on my tramp for traction. When I first got my boat, the tramp was light blue. Hated the color so much that I spray painted it with navy blue vinyl paint. The paint made the tramp quite slippery so I researched and found this non-skid coating that worked wonders for traction. The only problem is that the dark blue paint would need a touch-up about twice a year. :cry: Needless to say, I got tired of this and eventually bought a different tramp. I still use the non-skid spray and it gives me a lot of traction on the tramp, even though it's mesh. :D


zzcoreyzz,

I don't know where you went but I've never seen a place in Long beach like the one you just described. I've even had lunch on a sidewalk-cafe on 2nd street and have never seen that. However, most of the time I just go straight to the launch.

Have never launched from Dana Point but I can say that I did not like Dohehey Beach. Went there for the 40th and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this big rock sticking out of the water about 50-100 yards off shore. And during high tide, you couldn even see it. Exactly where is "Baby Beach?' Is it before or after Doheney, coming south? I just might try it sometime.

I also tried the snap-shackle. After you get use to your boat, you'll take it off.

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David
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zzcoreyzz
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:20 pm 
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Location: Irvine, California
Yeah, David,

That weekend you went to Vegas and weren't down there. Out on the end of Claremont ramp... (3) different guys put the moves on me.

Maybe it was a just bad day (or a good day, depending on your orientation).

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"HOBIE....
Say it LOUD and there's music playing...
Say it SOFT and it's almost like praying.....
I just sailed my WAVE out the Marina !"
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SicosDave
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:19 am 
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Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:42 pm
Posts: 80
I get nervous just having my feet tangled in main or jib sheets, so having a rope from fore or aft doesnt appeal to me, when tacking do you disconnect first etc.

In a capsize you have plenty time to plan ahead, a pitchpole dunno somewhat.

Had a capsize where just using foot straps, I did not have the leverage/power to pull my self up and out. Had slid down quite far and lucky cat had turned turtle - could swim out. Attached to ropes etc, believe I would have stayed there.

Possibly having a chicken line installed and then when capsizing, clipping on makes more sense.

Life happens - not so much fun watching cat sail away when trap line breaks, dumping you in water.

So yes solo sailors in oceans etc, good plan but just one more item to think about.

Cheers
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DavidBell47
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 12:24 pm 
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Location: Los Angeles
zzcoreyzz,

Say man. I'm kinda worried about you. If you need some protection when you come to Long Beach just let me know. :lol: No, it's all good. I remember the weekend I went to Vegas. I don't think many of the regulars were there that day. Let me know the next time you plan to launch at Dana Point. Maybe I'll join you.

. . .and Dave. Typically, I rarely trap out unless there's enough wind to raise the hull out of the water. That's my fail-safe. I weigh 215 lbs and if I come off, the boat's definitely going over.

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gary eudy
 Post subject: A really really bad idea
PostPosted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 9:34 am 
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Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2007 11:23 am
Posts: 599
Location: Lake Norman NC
Seat belts are for cars
no boat should have seat belts ot teathers to tie you to boat
always sail to your ability always be conservative in your estimate of your skills
I have never heard of a boat leaving the crew
I have blown over many times in lakes and ocean and have never needed to be roped to the boat
Gary
Hobie Cat 21 SE
Stars and Strips USA 415
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buzzman2
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 10:14 am 
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Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:37 pm
Posts: 238
Location: Columbus Ohio
Gary, it's because your boat is 600lb tank. A 16 on it's side can move pretty good when it's blowing. My boat has left me twice. :shock:
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