tiphys wrote:
yes, I know that a hobie 16 is smaller than a 40 footer and that it is much more likely to get upside down, but I wear the same safety harness (used to be an old style lirakis, now it's a new style sospenders inflatable - mustang also makes one) with a 6-foot tether (elastic with cover) and a quick release shackle on the hobie that I wear on the 40 footer. I would not go offshore without one. NEVER LEAVE THE BOAT. Most of my sailing is inland lakes, great lakes, but I've had a few trips to the Keys and North Carolina... my singlehanding rule is life jacket / safety harness / tether. NO EXCEPTIONS This is also a good rule when sailing with a novice who can't bring the boat back to you... by the way, it also applies on the 40 footer when I'm single handing and when I am with non-sailors (or when the weather gets big). I have been overboard with the tether... it hooks at about chest level and tends to drag me with my head above the water. Unless I am unconscious I can release the tether if the boat turtles and pins me under... been there and done that on a hobie 18 in NC... also I've been overboard on a 470 with an experienced crew who capsized trying to get back to me in Michigan in October... very cold... no life jacket... very young, dumb, and inexperienced... Never again.
i know what u mean...i sail offshore all the time...there arent any lakes here... so a lifejacket is a must.
I sail with novices often,and altho I try to remain within eyesight of the club...it isnt always great if the guy doesnt know that u have to gybe around...not tack! and just capsizes..then im stuck in the ocean waving my hands like an idiot..
Hey tiphys u reckon placing the shackle on my spreader bar is ok? as in it wont drag me underwater or something will it?