Yesterday I got stuck in the rear lazarette of a customers boat. I am replacing his steering system and had to terminate and connect the new steering cables to the radial drive. Other than taking half the cabin apart, which would have meant hours of labor, and then tedious matching of LOTS of drilled out bungs, I managed to squeak myself into the compartment.
This is an Ericson 32 and this compartment is SMALL and loaded with hoses and thru-hulls for the cockpit and LPG system. This locker is only HALF the rear hump seat because the other half is the LPG locker..
Going in, while not easy, was doable. It was getting my head in that was the hard part. Once in I could rearrange my legs and lay sideways to terminate the new steering cables. Certianly not very comfortable but it could be done.
I brought all the tools I needed, which was good, and set my cell phone right on top of the "hump seat". While in there working I heard the "zip" sound of my cell phone sliding down the hump.. Doh'.. It slid just out of reach...
I was in there for about 30-40 minutes working and once finished tried to get out. No go.
Rearrange legs, try again, no go.. This went on for well over 20 minutes...:cussing:No matter what I did I could not get my head out. Going in I could see how much I needed for room but coming out I was blind to it. I could not replicate the leg position I use to get in there.
I finally decided to try a feet first escape. Got myself turned around shot my feet to the sky and began climbing out upside down. Once I got beyond my knees I flipped 180 and managed to shimmy out on my belly. This was NOT without multiple "hose clamp bites"....
Lessons:
#1 Make sure your cell phone is secure!! I thought mine was....
#2 DO NOT panic... I am not at all claustrophobic so was able to keep a cool head and think about it. I was smart enough & calm enough to NOT try and put myself in a position that could not be undone.
#3 At least bring every tool you might need. You don't want to get stuck and still not have completed the job you went in to do..
#4 Go on a diet!!!!
This is an Ericson 32 and this compartment is SMALL and loaded with hoses and thru-hulls for the cockpit and LPG system. This locker is only HALF the rear hump seat because the other half is the LPG locker..
Going in, while not easy, was doable. It was getting my head in that was the hard part. Once in I could rearrange my legs and lay sideways to terminate the new steering cables. Certianly not very comfortable but it could be done.
I brought all the tools I needed, which was good, and set my cell phone right on top of the "hump seat". While in there working I heard the "zip" sound of my cell phone sliding down the hump.. Doh'.. It slid just out of reach...
I was in there for about 30-40 minutes working and once finished tried to get out. No go.
Rearrange legs, try again, no go.. This went on for well over 20 minutes...:cussing:No matter what I did I could not get my head out. Going in I could see how much I needed for room but coming out I was blind to it. I could not replicate the leg position I use to get in there.
I finally decided to try a feet first escape. Got myself turned around shot my feet to the sky and began climbing out upside down. Once I got beyond my knees I flipped 180 and managed to shimmy out on my belly. This was NOT without multiple "hose clamp bites"....
Lessons:
#1 Make sure your cell phone is secure!! I thought mine was....
#2 DO NOT panic... I am not at all claustrophobic so was able to keep a cool head and think about it. I was smart enough & calm enough to NOT try and put myself in a position that could not be undone.
#3 At least bring every tool you might need. You don't want to get stuck and still not have completed the job you went in to do..
#4 Go on a diet!!!!
