[Public-list] COB while solo

[Randy Katz]

Greetings, 'Bergers,

    This is a frightening topic for which all solo sailors must have a
plan-- the possibility of falling over while sailing alone.  Obviously there
are mixed thoughts on this, and each person needs to develop their own
strategies.
    I agree that, especially here in the PNW with water temp well below 50 F
all year, you'd best be sure to NOT fall off in the first place.  I have a
jackline running the centerline of the boat and a short tether.  Jacklines
along the edges of the deck, unless you're well heeled and tied in on the
weather-side line, scare the bejeezus out of me--  the prospect of hanging
over the side by the tether with no way to get up again is a problem for
which it's hard to imagine a solution.  Cutting yourself free would not
result in a happy ending.
    Redundancy with this scenario is a must, though, so the plans for
tripping up the tiller, and/or trailing line, etc. should also be employed.
    For overnight trips I keep the dingy well behind, figuring I can more
easily pile into that from the water than get back on the boat, even when
motoring.  (A stern ladder, too, is installed.)
    Falling off while motoring with autopilot engaged is the biggest hazard,
and really the time not to go about on deck.  I normally find neutral and
idle before going fwd unless I'm tied on.  Even then the risks have to be
kept in mind.
    This is what survival of the "fittest" is all about.
    Just watch it out there!

Randy Katz
#249
Seattle/Bellingham
    
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 4 Apr 2006 10:11:40 -0400
> From: "Rod  Symmes" <harmony at aztec-net.com>
> Subject: Re: [Public-list] overboard
> To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at alberg30.org>
> Message-ID: <003501c657f1$b1dfb200$0100a8c0 at ROD>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> 
> I feel that all this talk of trailing lines is unrealistic.  25 or 30 feet of
> line would give about 3 seconds for the person thrown into the water to get to
> the surface, orient themselves and swim to the trailing line.  I wouldn't want
> to bet my life on all of that happening.  Even if you did manage to disconnect
> the autopilot from the tiller,  your boat will head to windward but I bet it
> will not stop.  If you are now swimming, fully clothed and hopefully with a
> now inflated PFD,  I don't think you will ever catch your boat.
>     I think what we need to concentrate on is going on deck with a tether that
> will not let us get overboard should we fall  -  get in the habit of using it
> -  then put all these unpleasant thoughts to rest and just enjoy the sailing.
> 
> Cheers,    Rod
> 
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: dick fillinich
>   To: public-list at alberg30.org
>   Sent: Thursday, January 02, 1997 3:57 AM
>   Subject: [Public-list] overboard
> 
> 
>   In the case of tiller steering,rig a ring or small pulley to aft stay above
> tiller,run small line through loop and attach to auto pilot steering rod,let
> 25or30 feet of line trail behind boat,with knots at end of line.If you find
> yourself oveerboard make way to stern and yank on line pulling steering rod
> off tiller.Boat will stop course it was on and youy can climb back on board.
> 
>   Wind Dancer #191 Galliano La.
>