What's the most expensive thing you've dropped overboard? I ask because my wife and I bought our first boat last september, I have always been an Olympic class fumbler and a boat is a great opportunity for a guy like me to go for the Gold! It doesn't matter if it's big or small I can manage to get a really great bounce off the deck and into the drink anywhere any time. If I have a bunch of fastners or tools I can gaurantee that only the irreplaceable or the indispensable go swimming, the items I have lots of will stay put. It gets worse, I had a stripped bolt that I wanted to get rid of so I wouldn't accidentally use it... I tossed it out of the boat where upon it bounced off of the dock and back into the boat. So here goes, I just bought some Westmarine jacklines and paid good money for them. Actually used them during some rough weather a few weeks ago. Was rolling them up and putting one back in the bag- tossed the bag three feet towards the cockpit. Hit and stuck till a gust of wind started it rolling and Plooop it was in the water. Floated long enough for me to get the boat hook and try grabbing it, soon as I touched it the two carabiners inside the bag did their job as ballast and down it went. The bright safety yellow color worked perfectly,I was able to see the jackline clearly till it was about 10 feet down, Too bad I was in forty feet of water. So please make me feel worse by telling me you NEVER drop stuff overboard. Brad Friedrick
Dropping money over the side
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Butterfingers, Unite
So far, I've bee lucky: only a rachet wrench & 10mm socket. I have a friend who dropped the servo motor to the wheel pilot (on a mutual friend's boat). Funny, he (the guest) stopped going out with him (the skipper) after that…
So far, I've bee lucky: only a rachet wrench & 10mm socket. I have a friend who dropped the servo motor to the wheel pilot (on a mutual friend's boat). Funny, he (the guest) stopped going out with him (the skipper) after that…
Bad Day
While adjusting a sail I accidentally brushed against my wife's new prescription glasses and off they flew into the water. This happened about twenty years ago and she still reminds me of it every once in a while. Definitely a bad day.
While adjusting a sail I accidentally brushed against my wife's new prescription glasses and off they flew into the water. This happened about twenty years ago and she still reminds me of it every once in a while. Definitely a bad day.
Off to Davey's locker
Lets see, a pair of scissors, no make that two pair. The second pair was a day old.. titanium. A nice pair of sailing sunglasses, no make that two pair, the first mate dropped hers overboard too. Lets see a critical nut off the auto pilot when we were on the emergency tiller and repairing it at sea. Caught my 500 dollar Seiko sports titanium 15 year anniversary gift on the life line working on the foredeck, snapped the band, and luckily caught it
Now I have a boatwatch I put on when sailing. Oh and the crim de la crim, wife bought me one of those electric air guns for inflating the dinghy dockside. I was preparing the work area and set it on the lid of the dock box. Layed the dinghy out, remembered I keep the extension chord in the dock box. So I reach up and open the lid to get it.... yep over the side. My diver fetched it for me and of course totalled. Never used once! I personally dont understand why my slip mates wont lend me any tools.
Lets see, a pair of scissors, no make that two pair. The second pair was a day old.. titanium. A nice pair of sailing sunglasses, no make that two pair, the first mate dropped hers overboard too. Lets see a critical nut off the auto pilot when we were on the emergency tiller and repairing it at sea. Caught my 500 dollar Seiko sports titanium 15 year anniversary gift on the life line working on the foredeck, snapped the band, and luckily caught it
Now I have a boatwatch I put on when sailing. Oh and the crim de la crim, wife bought me one of those electric air guns for inflating the dinghy dockside. I was preparing the work area and set it on the lid of the dock box. Layed the dinghy out, remembered I keep the extension chord in the dock box. So I reach up and open the lid to get it.... yep over the side. My diver fetched it for me and of course totalled. Never used once! I personally dont understand why my slip mates wont lend me any tools.
Last season.....
…..I lost my favorite hat during the Mayor’s Cup Race on a friend’s boat. We also lost a brand new winch handle and the mast light. (but we won) Outside of that, I dropped a spatula over the side. To hide my shame, I’ll not go into all the stuff I’ve lost over the years…. Ferg
…..I lost my favorite hat during the Mayor’s Cup Race on a friend’s boat. We also lost a brand new winch handle and the mast light. (but we won) Outside of that, I dropped a spatula over the side. To hide my shame, I’ll not go into all the stuff I’ve lost over the years…. Ferg
What the sea takes, the sea often returns...
Like most sailors, I've lost sunglasses, car/house keys, various tools, etc. to the sea. In the case of the sunglasses, I always use a strap around my neck to prevent accidental losses. One day I was working on the boat in the slip. I took the sunglasses off to prevent losing them. I placed them over a cabin top winch while drilling some holes for a new horn cleat nearby...only to see them somehow bump (in what appeared to be slow motion) to the side deck and then do a half gainer into the drink. Thinking I could double up two boat hooks with some duct tape and reach into the very spot they fell to snag the strap, I tried to two hours only to fail.... Yet I'd like to thank the makers of floating winch handles as I've snagged two of them floating in the Chesapeake over the years. I have also snagged a 48-qt Coleman cooler, a very small inflatable dink, and a lantern out the water....among other things. The "best" experience we've had with a lost item overboard was when my wife lost her expensive (+/- $75)Tilley hat in a blow a few years ago. We sent a note to Tilley, and a copy of the receipt), and they replaced the hat! Not sure they do that anymore... Wouldn't it be interesting to drain the marina where you have your boat and see all the stuff we've dropped in there? On balance, I'd say that the sea and me are about even....
Like most sailors, I've lost sunglasses, car/house keys, various tools, etc. to the sea. In the case of the sunglasses, I always use a strap around my neck to prevent accidental losses. One day I was working on the boat in the slip. I took the sunglasses off to prevent losing them. I placed them over a cabin top winch while drilling some holes for a new horn cleat nearby...only to see them somehow bump (in what appeared to be slow motion) to the side deck and then do a half gainer into the drink. Thinking I could double up two boat hooks with some duct tape and reach into the very spot they fell to snag the strap, I tried to two hours only to fail.... Yet I'd like to thank the makers of floating winch handles as I've snagged two of them floating in the Chesapeake over the years. I have also snagged a 48-qt Coleman cooler, a very small inflatable dink, and a lantern out the water....among other things. The "best" experience we've had with a lost item overboard was when my wife lost her expensive (+/- $75)Tilley hat in a blow a few years ago. We sent a note to Tilley, and a copy of the receipt), and they replaced the hat! Not sure they do that anymore... Wouldn't it be interesting to drain the marina where you have your boat and see all the stuff we've dropped in there? On balance, I'd say that the sea and me are about even....
wow, I have been fortunate.
I have lost lost many tools over the side and a few other things. My guess is the loss total is about $150 total over 30 years of boating (the previous 20 years my dad paid for).( I have had more stolen off the boat) Most have been lost tools. I have learned to buy neighbor tools. Those are tools like a phillips heads that have worn out tips that skip. As my Russian friend says these are neighbor tools. You keep the good ones and lend out the ones that don't work so good because your not getting them back any way. I have lost screwdrivers and open ends, once in a while, total loss about $100.00. The most expensive things I have thrown overboard are the three chicken thighs, two Delmonicos, three place matts, and about four forks. I love to cook! (doesn't mean I do it well!) The season is upon us... To all the best this year! r.w.landau
I have lost lost many tools over the side and a few other things. My guess is the loss total is about $150 total over 30 years of boating (the previous 20 years my dad paid for).( I have had more stolen off the boat) Most have been lost tools. I have learned to buy neighbor tools. Those are tools like a phillips heads that have worn out tips that skip. As my Russian friend says these are neighbor tools. You keep the good ones and lend out the ones that don't work so good because your not getting them back any way. I have lost screwdrivers and open ends, once in a while, total loss about $100.00. The most expensive things I have thrown overboard are the three chicken thighs, two Delmonicos, three place matts, and about four forks. I love to cook! (doesn't mean I do it well!)
The season is upon us... To all the best this year! r.w.landauWench?
Honeyman why wasn't the "wench" down below in the Captain's Quarters? Sorry couldn't resist Actually I've lost a $300 pair of prescription sunglasses, which were recovered only after I purchased a new pair. Also lost a cellphone but it was the company's not mine. They replaced it for free, I just had to deal with all the smart comments. Not a bad deal actually.
Honeyman why wasn't the "wench" down below in the Captain's Quarters? Sorry couldn't resist
Actually I've lost a $300 pair of prescription sunglasses, which were recovered only after I purchased a new pair. Also lost a cellphone but it was the company's not mine. They replaced it for free, I just had to deal with all the smart comments. Not a bad deal actually.
Only Two
I've only lost two. An old camera that had very little value(but I would like to have had the pictures)and a 1 month old 4hp. outboard that had lots of value. I have a very impressive chain on the replacement.
I've only lost two. An old camera that had very little value(but I would like to have had the pictures)and a 1 month old 4hp. outboard that had lots of value. I have a very impressive chain on the replacement.
Winch handles and sunglasses
Why do floating winch handles only fall off in the middle of a race when there is a lot of wind? Why do the prescription sunglass seam to leap into the water at the zenith of a sunny day, yet the dollar store cheapies ride on the rail through a dark storm? After the storm passes, the race is over, wind is dead calm and you are drifting back home-PLOP-the heavy expensive NON floating handle that you pulled out to finish the race drops in the deepest part of the lake! Alas, perhaps a small price to pay for an absolutely awesome day on the water.
Why do floating winch handles only fall off in the middle of a race when there is a lot of wind? Why do the prescription sunglass seam to leap into the water at the zenith of a sunny day, yet the dollar store cheapies ride on the rail through a dark storm? After the storm passes, the race is over, wind is dead calm and you are drifting back home-PLOP-the heavy expensive NON floating handle that you pulled out to finish the race drops in the deepest part of the lake! Alas, perhaps a small price to pay for an absolutely awesome day on the water.
cell phones, portable VHF
Hello, I lose lots of things over the side. I have lost two cell phones (I have since learned to put them in my pocket and not in a little belt carrier thing) a brand new portable VHF ($150), assorted tools, and just yesterday, when I was wet sanding the cove stripe, the sanding block. Barry
Hello, I lose lots of things over the side. I have lost two cell phones (I have since learned to put them in my pocket and not in a little belt carrier thing) a brand new portable VHF ($150), assorted tools, and just yesterday, when I was wet sanding the cove stripe, the sanding block. Barry
preion glasses
While going down wind we snagged a crab pot line on the rudder. The admiral was at the helm and neither of us noticed the slowing of the boat till it became rapid. I figure we dragged the poor man's pots about 200 yards out of position. While leaning over the stern to figure out what the heck was going on I notice that I almost lost my glasses. Well not being a "girly man", I of course did not listen to that little voice in my head saying "put your dummy cord on dummy or you will loose these next time you lean over the stern" While fishing with the boat hook they went overboard. I now dummy cord lots of stuff and everything I go aloft with.
While going down wind we snagged a crab pot line on the rudder. The admiral was at the helm and neither of us noticed the slowing of the boat till it became rapid. I figure we dragged the poor man's pots about 200 yards out of position. While leaning over the stern to figure out what the heck was going on I notice that I almost lost my glasses. Well not being a "girly man", I of course did not listen to that little voice in my head saying "put your dummy cord on dummy or you will loose these next time you lean over the stern" While fishing with the boat hook they went overboard. I now dummy cord lots of stuff and everything I go aloft with.
two cordless drills....
a cellphone, several screwdriver tips, 2 tubes of caulking, pliers... My new cordless drill has an idiot string on it, and various tools have zip ties around them (the kind with the screw hole) that I can clip in to a coiled gizmo that has a clip on each end - one to tool, one to beltloop. With my slippery paws, the extra seconds it takes to clip in are well worth it.
a cellphone, several screwdriver tips, 2 tubes of caulking, pliers... My new cordless drill has an idiot string on it, and various tools have zip ties around them (the kind with the screw hole) that I can clip in to a coiled gizmo that has a clip on each end - one to tool, one to beltloop. With my slippery paws, the extra seconds it takes to clip in are well worth it.
Well, there was this
one time when I went up the mast of a friend's boat to replace the bulb in their anchor light - you know, because I know what I'm doing. Anyway, they thought it would be neat to have a picture of their boat from the top of the mast, so I took their kind of expensive digital camera up with me. Of course, I was careful to keep the strap firmly fixed around my neck. I got 3 or 4 great shots, the last of which involved leaning and bending way out. Sweet pic - let go of the camera and .... well, I'm pretty sure we could have salvaged my Red Sox baseball cap which landed about 200' from the boat, but the camera was a gonner and nobody seemed too intersted in the cap. The anchor light works fine.
one time when I went up the mast of a friend's boat to replace the bulb in their anchor light - you know, because I know what I'm doing. Anyway, they thought it would be neat to have a picture of their boat from the top of the mast, so I took their kind of expensive digital camera up with me. Of course, I was careful to keep the strap firmly fixed around my neck. I got 3 or 4 great shots, the last of which involved leaning and bending way out. Sweet pic - let go of the camera and .... well, I'm pretty sure we could have salvaged my Red Sox baseball cap which landed about 200' from the boat, but the camera was a gonner and nobody seemed too intersted in the cap. The anchor light works fine.
Never rebuild a winch while sailing
This one happened a while back so I'm a little fuzzy on what the problem was that was so important that I decided to rebuild a winch while I was actually sailing. It was on the high side at the time and I had hours to go before I had to tack so what the heck. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I ended up dropping critical parts over the side and then found out that it was a discontinued model and parts where scarce. I have lost plenty of other stuff also, but I like to think of all the great treasures that I have found. I have a very impressive collection of fenders that I have retrieved. Most of them were brand new and had these little plastic clips that they sell to the knot-impaired boaters. I used to keep my boat on Lake Washington where the pickings were good. It is a rare occasion when I find one on salt water. I found a beautiful wood and bronze boathoak that was about 12 feet long. I was in a kayak at the time and a long way from shore so did not salvage it. The best prize that I passed up was a complete dinghy that had blown away from Victoria in a storm and made it all the way to the west side of San Juan Island. This was a hardshell catamaran style dinghy with oars and even lawn furniture inside. Again, it was a bit much to tow behind my kayak. I hauled the dinhgy to shore and propped it up with the name showing in case the owners cruised by looking for it. Before I was finished a boat pulled up because they had been watching from thier house as the dinghy drifted towards shore.
This one happened a while back so I'm a little fuzzy on what the problem was that was so important that I decided to rebuild a winch while I was actually sailing. It was on the high side at the time and I had hours to go before I had to tack so what the heck. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I ended up dropping critical parts over the side and then found out that it was a discontinued model and parts where scarce. I have lost plenty of other stuff also, but I like to think of all the great treasures that I have found. I have a very impressive collection of fenders that I have retrieved. Most of them were brand new and had these little plastic clips that they sell to the knot-impaired boaters. I used to keep my boat on Lake Washington where the pickings were good. It is a rare occasion when I find one on salt water. I found a beautiful wood and bronze boathoak that was about 12 feet long. I was in a kayak at the time and a long way from shore so did not salvage it. The best prize that I passed up was a complete dinghy that had blown away from Victoria in a storm and made it all the way to the west side of San Juan Island. This was a hardshell catamaran style dinghy with oars and even lawn furniture inside. Again, it was a bit much to tow behind my kayak. I hauled the dinhgy to shore and propped it up with the name showing in case the owners cruised by looking for it. Before I was finished a boat pulled up because they had been watching from thier house as the dinghy drifted towards shore.
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