Another "what do you do"

[higgs]

I left Port Washington, WI with (I thought) a full tank of gas. Range on my Irwin 32 was 60 - 70 miles. I was headed to Racine, WI 45 miles away. Conditions were calm and foggy, so with light wind we motored. 5 miles out of Racine a mayday call was sent from a power boat that was sinking less than 2 miles from my present position. I pushed the A4 to its limits and headed towards the distressed boat. After about a mile I ran out of gas, to my surprise, and sat dead in the water. The fog was fairly thick, but we could see above it, and, in time, a CG helicopter arrived on the scene. The mayday had been attended to, but we were engine-less in calm air and 5 miles from port - late in the day.

 

[paulj]

Have another drink ....then take a shot at the CG helicopter

with your flare gun........Like I said "If you would turn off that radio"paulj

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

Alot of those Racine people are crazy for sailboats!

I bet if you called to shore and explained the situation, you would get a few offers to bring fuel. Once docked, I'd be buyin Wild Turkey for those who helped me and for those in the original powerboat. Then I'd ask Santa for a couple jerry cans Higgs.

 

[Patrick S/V Shangra-La]

Sure glad I don't live in Washington

I guess if I needed help there I could expect a silent radio *o

 

[T J Furstenau]

Racine Assistance

Higgs -I'd agree with Lance, hop on the VHF and throw a call out. If I'd have heard you, I would have headed out. Unfortunately, if I'm sitting at the dock, there is a good chance that I don't have my radio on. Out on the water is another story. But you could probably reach either Racine Yacht Club or Reefpoint Marina and they might be able to rustle up a little help. Or the Racine sheriff operates 2 boats out of Racine and might be of assistance. You know the old saying, "It never hurts to ask."T J Furstenaus/v Silent Voice

 

[sailaway78]

Another good reason

to spend a few bucks for tow insurance. Tow Boats or SeaTow till bring you fuel. Just pay for the fuel. I feel it's like the Am EX add, don't leave home without it. I have a friend who has both, just in case he needs and can't reach one of them.

 

[Ross]

A six gallon jerry can costs about 10 bucks and if

you keep it full it will get you back. Towboat may bring you fuel but what do they charge per gallon? I always top up my tank after a long run and either refill the jerry can or if it isn't empty, bring a spare next time I go to the boat.

 

[Ken Honeycutt]

I had US Tow Boat tow me from Waukegan to Racine

My engine died due to clogged filters. Had to have my boat at Racine the next day. US Tow took me the whole way and the tow insurance paid the whole bill (except for the tip I gave the operator). Would have cost over $1,200 out of my own pocket. I'll never go without tow insurance of some kind.

 

[ITMaster]

Higgs

I am sure hoping that these are things that you are either making up or are reading about. These are really common sense things that we are all supposed to know about and I am hoping that you are just offering stuff up for discussion for the sake of keeping the forum going. Your post the other day about the people out in the raft again is another example of some simple common sense and knowledge of the rules of safe boating.Why would you think you had a full tank of fuel instead of knowing? I have read a lot of comments here by you and have always considered you to be more knowledged than this and I just have to wonder if you are gamming with us. We all know the rule of thirds, a third out, a third back and a third reserve. If you think you are leaving a spot with a given quanity of fuel and think it is full, first you should know if it is full, second, you should know the distance and the fuel consumption and thirdly, you should have a reserve of a third for an emergency. I would come and help you out, but by golly, I would sure chew your butt out enough to make sure that you never did anything again as stupid as what you did if you in fact did do what you have said you did here.Tell me this a cut and paste and not something you yourself actually did please! People that do stuff this stupid is what makes me want to push for legislature to require liscensing.

 

[higgs]

It did happen

I filled the tank before I left Port Washington. Having made the trip many times before I had no reason to suspect I would run out. I never could figure out for sure why. I found a bit of humor in the story - rushing to the rescue and all, and then running out of gas. The sinking boat was fine and as I said, I could see the helicopter hovering above it. Of course I sailed in. After all, this is a sailboat and even on the calmest day one can always find a little wind. Actually, I would normally have had a third of tank at the end of the trip. The tank, in these calm conditions, was good for at least 60 miles, and I had gone only 45. For longer trips, I did carry a gas can, but I had never before come close to running out on this frequent trip. I am not making these stories up - and the first is not from me. Surprisingly the person involved in story #1 has theri pilot's license. Anyways, it gave me something to do while I wait for this damn weather to break so I can go out and get my cover off and get the boat ready.