Heavy Cargo Handling

[arknoah]

Seriously. A number of good points brought up already. The boat will be fine. It's the safety and comfort of your guests that is in question. You're the Captain. So it's your call and your responsibility. You are not "required" to take them sailing if it is against your better judgement to do so. If you do take them out, the "PC" aspect is the easy part. It's simply normal procedure to move crew members around a sailboat for balance. Just don't mention that they're each the size of two crew members....they already know it.

Exactly. I may be missing something here. I went out on our MacGregor 25 with a total of five people, and I estimate the total weight at about 920 pounds. The sailing wasn't really tough at all, but the one time I got concerned, four of us were on the same side, so I just told the two boys below to change sides -- really simple. And it is perfectly natural to shift sides as necessary to balance the load with a dinghy, so why not be conscious of that with a keel boat as well?

 

[JVB]

I would refuse the request with the explanation that carrying very heavy people could get expensive and dangerous. It's not just the heavy person being put at risk. He/she could fall on you or create a hazard. She/he could do expensive damage to a boat not designed for such heavy passengers. It's not fair to impose that risk on you.

 

[shipwreck66]

Yeah, that about covers my thoughts. I had already told my wife that were either to fall overboard I would have to tow them into the shallows as there is no way they could board on that little ladder at the stern. And unfortunately, no, neither is aware that they break everything they sit on and they tend to PLOP down when sitting, just makes my teeth grind. This is my stepson and his new wife we are addressing, thus the delicacy of the situation. Thus far I've avoided the issue but it came up over Christmas as the new daughter-in-law discovered we had a boat, where we tend to hide from family on weekends.

 

[bcollis]

I had a similar situation last year, on my Hunter 25.5. I thought of all of the worst case scenarios, and then sucked it up and took them out. They were much more agile getting aboard then I thought they would be. They were great about moving to the highside, and that boat has never sailed that flat with the amount of wind without a reef. A good time was had by everyone, and I would take them out again.

 

[shemandr]

I am required to take two family members out on the boat.

No!

 

[UPSGUY]

Speaking from a experience I had this summer. I was caught off guard by a sudden gust, the cockpit was crowded with people and the biggest non sailor was in front of the jib sheet.
It would have been a simple sail adjustment that got out of hand because people where in the way. I ended up having to jibe the boat and head down wind before they got off the sheet.
It was the last time I will let someone sit in front of the winches.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Delicate question here, I am required to take two family members, a married couple, out on the boat soon. They are both rather large, over 350# each. (Insert no Orca, Thar She Blows or Harpoon jokes) My dilemma is how to handle their bulk on the boat. I mean, political correctness aside, they cannot sit next to each other and snuggle or I fear structural damage will occur. Your thoughts? Help. SOS.

You might want to consider that they may be really looking forward to this voyage.

Do whatever you can or have to to make them comfortable.

 

[Squidd]

I'm sorry, but what are they going to use for USCG approved PFDs...

I know there are laws concerning having "properly fitting" pfds for children... doesn't that apply to all on board..?

 

[thinwater]

Been there, done that many times, though a bit smaller...

... and I did so when I had a smaller boat. However, their are some adjustments in thinking. Some of the addaptations and thinking apply equally to folks with artritis (my wife has had knee replacment), so this is not just a weight thing.

_________________

I wouldn't worry about the FRP structure. Unless they are on-deck running about, the loads are less than good size blokes jumping and falling in rough weather. Pick a calm day and there should be no trouble. Big folks tend to sit in one place.

Boarding will be a problem. Specifically:
* The long step (tie the boat tight to the piling during boarding). VERY important. I have a small hand tackle specifically for this. Also damn handy when loading heavy provisions. Add an extra fender rather than get offended if something rubs.
* The use of railings (if they pull hard there could be damage). Tying, described above, really helps. Offer a hand (and don't allow refusal). This also depends on the railing design.
* Dock height. You may need a step up or down.

Steps will be a problem:
* The companionway may be impossible and probably dangerous if heeling.
* Make them aware the head may be inaccessible. They need to know, if this is true.
* The steps down into the cockpit may be VERY difficult without a hand hold, since they are 2x height and there is no railing. Moving the boom to a good location and hanging a loop of webbing from it may help. Also consider if a box for a step is needed or would help (something VERY stable and strong--the helm foot rest in this post is very strong, has rubber on the bottom, and is used for this: http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2009/05/handfull-of-minor-pdq-upgrades.html).

PFDs: All kidding aside, they won't sink.. if they know how to float. However, the horse shoe-type should adapt. I would make sure they can swim well. If not, I might use that as grounds for refusal. I hate taking non-swimmers.

Re-boarding: make sure they understand that there is no practical provision. They are over the rated load on the ladder, and it's worse when the boat is moving. They will have to stay in the cockpit.

Clothing: If rainsuits are needed (spray) it is very unlikely they have these.

-------------------

Of course, chosing to maintain a weekend hide-away is entirely your business; there is nothing wrong with alone time. I cherish both family and the absense of family.

 

[shipwreck66]

Stu, they are both looking forward to it, they think. My teeth-grinding moments occur because they PLUNk themselves down everywhere, don't know how to tread lightly or distribute weight. I will have a "forget PC here's the physics" kind of talk with them beforehand. You can sit here, here and here. do not sit here, there, or there. And if you must, God help us, go below, grab on to both sides, distribute your weight and if you break my stairs you are stuck in there indefinitely.

 

[Bill Roosa]

You will also want to know how well they can swim and explain the modified MOB drill in their specific case. As a general rule larger folks tend to float better/higher so a PFD is not as critical as one might first believe.

 

[JohnS]

Stu, they are both looking forward to it, they think. My teeth-grinding moments occur because they PLUNk themselves down everywhere, don't know how to tread lightly or distribute weight. I will have a "forget PC here's the physics" kind of talk with them beforehand. You can sit here, here and here. do not sit here, there, or there. And if you must, God help us, go below, grab on to both sides, distribute your weight and if you break my stairs you are stuck in there indefinitely.

If they are that lacking in agility, then quite simply, I wouldn't allow them to go below. Treat it like a small cabin less daysailor. In fact once I got my boat back together enough to sail it this past fall I still had the cabin sole torn out, and I didn't let anyone below, whether at sea or docked.

I would make it clear that if they damage anything, they are responsible for repair and replacement. And seriously, unless they are jumping up and down, I doubt your FRP will be damaged.

 

[thinwater]

You will also want to know how well they can swim and explain the modified MOB drill in their specific case. As a general rule larger folks tend to float better/higher so a PFD is not as critical as one might first believe.

This was a MOB we conducted this summer:
http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2011/07/mob-drills-lifesling-and-climbing.html
It worked find, with the victim being a fit 165 pounds and the wincher being a fit 130 pounds. Would this work on a smaller boat with less stability and smaller winches, with more weight and less muscle? No.

Oh, I know how to adapt the rigging (more purchase--I carry spare rescue blocks--and bands under the legs), but in a rush I'm pretty sure there would be some injuries.

 

[shipwreck66]

Oh thanks John, can't get the visual of them jumping up and down out of my head.

 

[Peppercorn]

As a pilot I frequently had to leave fuel behind in order to accommodate my passengers. If it is the overall weight you are concerned with just empty your water tank. At just over 8 pounds a gallon you should recoup close to 350 pounds.
As a scuba instructor I can tell you the larger the person the more buoyant the person is and the more lead it takes to sink them.
As a sailboat owner there are few things I enjoy more than letting people experience something I love to do. In your boat your passengers are only sitting about 2 feet off of your centerline, find some good wind and put the extra weight to use!

 

[NotCook]

All "excuses" aside, you have a lot of good comments already. You still have the regulations issue: You must have PFDs to accommodate both their size and weight. Without that, it is simply a no-go.

Boarding ladders are irrelevant. Large people typically simply do not have the arm and leg strength to climb up a ladder and into a boat. I'd be concerned that they couldn't even make the step up out of the cockpit onto the seat, let alone out of the boat, and they will be at risk stepping down into it.

Heck, I like to share sailing like anyone else, and the weight would not be an issue, but they wouldn't even be able to get from the the boarding gate to our quarter deck between the pilothouse and the lifeline and rigging, due to size alone.