safety procedures

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John Reimann's picture
John Reimann
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safety procedures

Some time back, I think I posted a thread asking what safety procedures people go over with guests on their boat before going out. I listed the ones I went over, but I have a new one, based on an experience a couple of days ago that almost was extremely serious. We were sailing close hauled and a ferry boat (they move fast on the SF Bay) was coming the other way. It was on my windward side, and I was giving it plenty of room. Just as we were almost alongside each other (facing opposite directions) a strong burst of wind hit me and the boat heeled strongly and rounded up into the wind - meaning right into the path of the oncoming fast moving ferry. I yelled to my wife, "release the main! release the main!" but she didn't know what I was talking about. The boat went about 20 or 30 feet off course, towards the ferry, at which time either the wind burst died down or the heeling caused the sails to shed the wind, but I was able to regain control. Had I not been giving the ferry a very wide berth, there would very possibly have been a very serious situation.

My lesson learned: With any new crew, I will show them how to release the main before we go out. Might be something for others to do also, if they don't already.

SF Bay
1998 C36

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stu jackson c34
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John, IMHO it's a lot easier to teach anyone "Dump the traveler!" than the mainsheet. While there may be two lines, it's safer than trying to unload a mainsheet.

But even safer is to simply head into the wind instead of holding course, rather than trying to adjust any lines. And as you described you'd been hauled right into the wind anyway, so dumping the main was not going to do much because you were head to wind by that time.

Many times larger boats create not only wind shadows but small isolated downdrafts, like in the lee of islands, or winds from around the sides of the vessel.

The lesson I learned form your story: don't get too close, which it seems you did admirably.

Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)

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John Reimann
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Stu,

Everything happened so fast, that maybe I don't remember exactly what course I was on to start with. All I do remember is that when the boat turned to windward, the sails did not luff; they were not depowered. So maybe I wasn't close hauled on my original heading - maybe it was more off the wind, so when it headed up I was then close hauled. I just remember the boat turning directly toward the ferry while it was sharply heeled over.

AS for using the main sheet vs. the traveler, here's my thinking: I think releasing the main sheet would be easier and quicker for somebody who is not really familiar with all the lines. It might seem simple to us, but it would take a few seconds for a complete newbie to figure out which side of the traveler to release, especially if all hell is breaking loose and they are nervous. The way my boat is set up, the main sheet has two ends, one on either side. I figure it would be quicker and easier to release either of them for somebody who does not know much about the lines. At least that's my thinking. What do you think?

SF Bay
1998 C36

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stu jackson c34
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That's a good point about having your mainsheet on both sides. Only reasons I mentioned the traveler: 1) it's easier for a newbie, perhaps, to pull in and up to release a cam cleat; 2) the danger of unloading a fully loaded winch to fingers is a LOT higher.

My take on this is you had an unusual situation and dealt with it perfectly. Consider avoiding an overreaction. Teach her to sail, too. :)

Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)

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Laura
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I have experienced similar situations on the Chesapeake. The wind can gust from 10 kts to 25 in a hurry. I am very careful to stay one or two boat lengths from objects to avoid a sudden rounding up and into them. I religiously check the weather before each sail.

Laura Olsen
Commodore C36/375IA
S/V Miramar
hull 938 (MKI 1989, TR,WK, M25xp)
Edgemere, MD

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John Reimann
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[QUOTE=stu jackson c34;5279]That's a good point about having your mainsheet on both sides. Only reasons I mentioned the traveler: 1) it's easier for a newbie, perhaps, to pull in and up to release a cam cleat; 2) the danger of unloading a fully loaded winch to fingers is a LOT higher.

My take on this is you had an unusual situation and dealt with it perfectly. Consider avoiding an overreaction. Teach her to sail, too. :)[/QUOTE]

Yes, as far as my wife knowing sailing: She knows how, but is not as experienced. I've encouraged her to take a class, but without success so far. Also, as English is her second language, learning the boat terms is a little more challenge. But the main thing for me is to show everybody on the boat how to release the main.

SF Bay
1998 C36

ErikJohnson
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I learned a valuable lesson the other weekend as well, talking about procedures.

I typically leave the ignition key in the ignition (MKII, the key is below the steering wheel, on the starboard side, about a foot off the cockpit floor) while under sail. Somehow, while rescuing a sinking kayak and the kayaker (kayakee?), the ignition key got bent in half and broke. Most likely caused by the kayak, the kayak's owner, or the giant, flopping fish he threw into the cockpit.

Of course I didn't notice that half the key was jammed into the ignition until I realized we were drifting toward shore and needed to get the motor started quickly. "Oh s***", says I, when I realize that the ignition key is missing.

Thankfully, I knew exactly where the spare key is kept as well as quick access to the pliers. I was able to pull out the fragment and get the motor started with the new key just in the nick of time.

I think from now on I won't leave the key in the ignition, but clip it to the pedestal somewhere. Should you lose an ignition key, would [I]you[/I] be able to quickly start the motor?? :)

-Erik

C36, 2001 #1939
Monterey, CA

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Nimue
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My boat just has a toggle switch in the cockpit for the ignition. To disable the engine I have to turn off a secret switch inside the boat. No keys to lose, and the engine is ready to start whenever I am out sailing.

Jason V
Vancouver, BC, Canada

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Steve Frost
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Our hobby is for the most part a fairly safe activity but, the news this week does indicate it is not without dangers. In California this week we lost four sailors in three seperate events. All these people went overboard on their boats. Two a husband and wife off of the approach to San Francisco bay when their Ranger 33 was knocked down in the surf in route from Halfmoon Bay to San Francisco. Never shortcut the shipping channel when there is a large swell running in this area.
We also lost two single handers who appearantly went overboard, one going south around Point Conception in a Santana Twenty Two, the other was lost in southern California in route from Catalina Island to Long Beach on a International Folkboat. Both single handers were accomplished blue water sailors with long ocean crossing under their belts. The Folkboat sailed itself onto the beach with no one aboard, the Santana was recovered off shore with its sails torn and boom broken, this sailor did get off a mayday. The Ranger south of SF sailed itself onto the beach south of San Francisco Ocean Beech.

Be careful out there and STAY ON BOARD!

Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas

billta
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So, the question for those of us with reluctant to learn to sail wives is how to get them interested enough to actually want to learn. My wife loves to go out and read her book and enjoy the water. She follows my directions enough to help come about, but doesn't retain enough terminology or understand what's happening or why from one voyage to the next. Yes, she is extremely capable. I want her to learn because it will be safer for her, but since "nothing" has ever happened she doesn't have the inclination. So, can those of you knowledgeable skippers, both wives and husbands, shed any light as to how to go about increasing interest other than the obvious read the book, take lessons from someone else plans? My favorite thing about going sailing is that my wife goes with me. The biggest frustration with going sailing is that my wife goes with me. Wonder why it is that my favorite sailing partner is my auto pilot. Yes ladies, my patience is very high, and I complement often.

Bill Taylor
Heel'n Good #1612
Washington, NC

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Nimue
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I met my wife when we were both doing bow on a race boat together. She does a lot of sailing without me, mostly doing bow on big boats. In the picture she is clearing some crossed halyards on a 1D48 during the VanIsle 360 race (which they won). I recall she was also 5 months pregnant at the time.

Alright, so I'm just bragging. But I think that racing is the best place to learn the tricks of the trade. A lot of wives do better learning from someone other than their husband too. That way there is no emotion involved when there is a screw-up. If she is not a 'racer' type, then start with some 'beer-can' type racing where the pressure is not too high to perform, and try to find someone fun to go sailing with.

It is really nice to know when cruising that the other person on the boat knows how to fix the basic things that can go wrong, perform a sail change, tuck in a reef, and steer the boat when required.

Jason V
Vancouver, BC, Canada

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BudStreet
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That's a tough one. My wife had never sailed before 2004 though we had a powerboat for quite a while. We did a charter in the BVI in 2004, just the two of us on a 33' Moorings Beneteau and she really loved that week. It was during the fall wind shift time and the weather was very unsettled. Benes have uncontrollable weather helm, at least the two Moorings boats I have sailed did. Lots of stuff happened which caused her to realize the need to know how to sail and control the boat was going to be very important. Didn't scare her enough to turn her off sailing, just enough for her to understand it can be dangerous out there. She is a very competent helmsman now and can steer a better course than I can. Still working on all the terminology (sheets are not made of rope to most women and why the hell is the same hunk of rope called a halyard when it's tied to the top of a sail?) but we're getting there.

Maybe "something" needs to happen.

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Steve Frost
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Bill,

I understand your relationship with your autopilot. Many of you out there are extreamly lucky in having a spouse that appreciates and enjoys your sport. This is a subject I intend to cover in an upcoming Main or Jib sheet article as your wifes participation can have a profound effect on your boating life.

My wife possibly like Bills, when aboard is a guest/passenger, she wants to be warm and comfortable, wants to know when we are going to get to what ever destination we are going to and gets upset when I need to go releive myself as there is no one at the helm, as handy as cattle in the cockpit. If conditions are not perfect (why can't we always go down wind) she often shows the same amount of enthusiasm for the sport as a cat does for taking a bath. Going out on the boat for her is purly a social event these days if I invite her freinds to go out with us, a nite aboard, out of the question.

I love my wife dearly, she allows me my boat but, having a spouse that is enthusiastic about sailing and being on the water can greatly alter the budget of both time and money available for this activity. I am certain the level involvement of your wife in your boating activities is directly proportional to the length of your to do list on your boat. The result of the spouse effect can make the difference between your boat being a second home for the both of you, or your boat becomes like a guys set of golf clubs in the garage that just get in the way of your non golfing wife.

I have considered asking Dear Abby or Ann Landers if it would be appropriate for me to get a boat wife as my autopilot is not much of a conversationalist, wait thats just another reason I like my autopilot.

Oh yeah, back to the safety side, if I go overboard with just my wife aboard, this organzation will be looking for a new MKI technical editor.

Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas

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baysailor2000
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Biilta- I could not have said it better.

Haro Bayandorian, 1999 C36 MKII, Sail La Vie #1787, M35B,
Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA.

hilbre
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Posts: 218

It needs patience and perserverance, the interest has to be encouraged. I used to see panic and requests to let out the main or reef. Of course I did just that and said nothing. That was over four years ago. On Monday coming back from CAT Harbor in Catalina we were close hauled in 18-22 knots of wind moving along at over 7 knots and that was not me at the helm with a grin!
John Meyer
Hilbre 2135
San Pedro, CA

John Meyer
Hilbre
C36 MKll, Hull 2135

Cabrillo Marina, San Pedro, CA

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John Reimann
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I agree with all the points raised about relationships. Regardless of that, though, I was just trying to alert people to the fact that, in my opinion, if you go out with ANY inexperienced sailor, the request/command to "release the main" is one they should know. From now on, I'm also going to keep the starboard side main sheet on the winch as some people might have problems releasing it from the jam cleat when it's under heavy load.

SF Bay
1998 C36

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chooch
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I introduced Nurse Judi to sailing in the Persian Gulf sailing from the Saudi Naval Academy where I had full use of the Commodore's yacht whenever I wanted it. The gentle winds would die down to zero quickly in the late afternoon. No exciting beats, tacks or jibes; just slow and easy.

Upon return to the USA, Judi bought a little Hunter (dreaded H word) 23 foot keel boat. I was lively and fun. But one day, with a great wind, we flew past the downtown piers on a long initial beat from the NAS channel and turned to a reach. Judi eased the jib perfectly! But the main, cleated in a snatch block, stayed sheeted in. Very quickly we found our little 23 at a near 90 degree heal, with water entering the cabin. The order to "release the mainsheet" got absolutely no response! But "Pull that rope out of the clampy thing" saved the day. Returning wet and shocked, Nurse Judi vowed not to sail the H23 again!

But, there was a silver lining! She bought a bigger boat! And the rest, as they say, was history!

Fair Winds,

Glenn "Chooch" Jewell
Nautae Luna 1232 (RIP Tara 389 Hurricane Sally 2020)
GO NAVY - BEAT ARMY!

mablamb
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Posts: 11

I am still working on all the things you have mentioned but found over the past years that when women can go with women to seminars or on training sails they come back with a different attitude. My wife recently spent a day with the So.Cal. Womens Sailing Assoication that did a full day seminar down in Newport Beach. I think it builds confidence if your wife is like mine, she knows more than you think and they see that when around other new or novice women sailors and become more eager to learn.

Of course the biggest problem with wives not wanting to dig into sailing is usually us husbands. Not sure why we cannot be good teachers with the wheel in our hands :)

Mark Bierei
Fleet 2 Long Beach
1985 C36 MK1 #456
Wing N' Prayer

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