[Public-list] boarding ladders

[Roger L Kingsland]

Dave writes, "...if you singlehand and do not take precautions againt going 
overboard, you are not being smart."

Dave,

My "other boat" is a 1962 O'Day, Rhodes 19 (centerboard version), sort of 
the big sister to your O'Day, Daysailer.  I sailed "Tonic" on the Allegheny 
River in Pittsburgh (you know, home of the World Champion, Steelers who have 
won five Super Bowls) for five seasons.  There is little non-thunderstorm 
wind in July and August but the Fall is delightful; a different world a mile 
from the house.  Although the marina officially closes at the end of 
October, the owner would let me stay in even after the docks were "folded" 
in toward shore.  I would tie up downstream of the few bigger cursers that 
wintered in the water.  I was usually able to sail on Thanksgiving day but 
had to wait two weeks for the launch ramp to thaw the year I sailed on 
Christmas day (and then only after I broadcast 50 pounds of snow melt on the 
ice).

Then, one cold but sunny day while sailing in blissful ignorance, I came to 
this stark realization.  "Hey dufis (that's what I call myself during stark 
realizations), even though this river is only 200 yards wide, the water is 
so cold you wouldn't last seven minutes if you fell in.  And that cell phone 
and handheld radio; who are you going to call if you have trouble?  Unless 
they have a helicopter or can walk on water, there is no way they can get to 
you.  Those boats tied to the dock, their motors have been winterized and 
won't start.  Of course there is the Volunteer Fire Department.  Remember 
someone gave them a 20 year old runabout last year.  It only took them an 
hour to get the outboard started that one time, in August, that they tried. 
Not to worry though, the current isn't too strong and, after all, you are at 
least 300 yards UPSTREAM of the Highland Park Damn."

Note to self (A.K.A. Dufis),  "Self, if you must sail on the river in cold 
weather;  pick days with reliable and moderate wind, put the sails up at the 
dock, sail to and from the dock without using the motor, don't go on deck, 
don't even stand up in the cockpit, let someone know when you will be home 
(so they can call the morgue if you are late), make sure the life insurance 
is paid up and don't discuss stark realizations with the wife."

Man, am I glad I/we got that straightened out before I sign up to go crab 
fishing in Alaska next Winter.  Have you seen that Discovery Channel 
documentary, those guys are nuts!

All the best,

Roger

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Terrell" <DTERRELL at message.nmc.edu>
To: <public-list at alberg30.org>
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 12:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Public-list] boarding ladders


>I did it when I had just returned from Europe - still suffering from jet
> lag. I had an O'Day Daysailor then, was in better shape and weighed less
> and just hoisted myself back on the boat. When I got back on board I
> realized what a dumb thing I had done.
>
> Needless to say, as a singlehader most of the time,  I wear a PFD and
> use jacklines when I go forward. I was prompted to this when I read an
> article in one of the sailing magazines that argued that if you
> singlehand and do not take precautions againt going overboard, you are
> not being smart.
>
>>>> mainstay at csolve.net 03/31/06 11:40 AM >>>
> I agree!  I only did it to be able to say I did it... And of course
> back
> then I was young and immortal...
>
>
> Gord #426 Surprise
>
>
>
>> Somehow the idea of going swimming out of reach of land doesn't
> appeal
>> to me. We only go overboard while at anchor, with the ladder down. I
>> suppose there could be a case where one went over the side
> accidentally
>> and it'd be nice to have a way of stopping the boat or making the
>> autopilot circle...
>>
>> Gordon White
>> Brigadoon II
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