Heavy Cargo Handling

[shipwreck66]

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.

 

[kloudie1]

uuhhhh.. Not going to work.. Going to be a problem with the companionway access. Up and down the companionway stairs is going to be a problem. Try miniature golf for the day instead.. I dunno.. I am no lightweight myself (255#), and I have to be careful with heeling angles when boarding a C-27.. It'd be OK to have them sit on the same side (winward) if there is wind.. boat structure will handle the load.. but access will be a problem.. Ya might make a quick crude mock up of the steps and companionway and see if negotiation of these obstacles is going to be a problem before trying to board.. Not an easy one to handle diplomatically.. My father was about that size and could not handle the boarding and moving around.

 

[Tom J]

Does your boat have a tiller? I always pointed out that I needed room to swing the tiller,so this person sits here, that person sits there, etc. You could always resort to the old " I'm the Captain, and we're at sea, so everyone does what I say, without question!" Good luck.

 

[Ross]

I bet your companion steps aren't rated for that load. How will they get to the head? Can they even fit in the space?

 

[Benny17441]

You may need to think this through. Will they be able to use the head? Are your life jackets aboard adequate for their safety? Measure the companionway opening to insure they can get in and out of the cabin. Make it a short sail and stay away from the shallows.

 

[All U Get]

Good time to mention getting a bigger boat.
All U Get

 

[Dalliance]

Uuuhhh....Pray for bad weather so you can just take them out for a meal instead.

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.

 

[Ron20324]

Uummm... would this be a good time to mention "man overboard recovery"?

 

[Ray Bowles]

You better pray they don't get sea sick.

 

[Bill Roosa]

I suggest you "develope a mechanical problem" at just the right moment, like the night before the sail that will prevent anybody from enjoying a sail tomorrow........ and then have a talk with the first mate about avoiding the subject as needed.
I've done this twice and it is a chalange to do without embarising the individual.
On a lighter note I did notice that they do not tend to move around a lot so once they got seated they where pretty much a fixture.

 

[Don12364]

Could you 'discover' a little known Coastguard rule or recommendation regarding the maximum weight of person they can rescue from small boats. Poss something to do with their helicopter sling or basket etc.

 

[KD3PC]

Jeesh, like most of the nation....we can't even address the lion in the living room...

they are too heavy to safely board and unboard the boat that you have...all the rest is just in support of this first issue. This is a no starter for me, just tell them...I doubt seriously they don't know their size. Take them for a stroll along the waterfront, instead.

Option two is to provide A very polite say so to the person who is "requiring" you to put some one or ones in this jeopardy situation, may be all that is needed.

If not it is you as captain who WILL be accountable if something goes awry.

 

[Ron20324]

Could you 'discover' a little known Coastguard rule or recommendation regarding the maximum weight of person they can rescue from small boats. Poss something to do with their helicopter sling or basket etc.

I'm sure it's a rule/law that the PFD must be able to be worn and secured?

 

[Ron20324]

what he said

If not it is you as captain who WILL be accountable if something goes awry.

Yeah, what he said.... YOU are the skipper. Whomever is "demanding" is not the one who will face the jury in court.

 

[JohnS]

Take them for a short hour sail, as long as it's not averaging more than, say, 10-15 knots wind. Tell them the head is broken. They never need to leave the cockpit. Unless you're experiencing delamination, I'm sure it can handle the weight, even if they snuggle. (I worked for a Catalina dealer and know from experience that they are very sturdy boats.) Tell them where to sit, out of the way. As long as they can board and un-board without trying to pull their weight on your lifeline stanchions you won't likely have any damage. (Point out that most people, sailors included, don't realize that lifelines are designed to function more like curb feelers than guard rails.)

I'll also second Tom J's comment that the boat captain has absolute authority onboard, but that's relevant to all passengers, not just heavy ones. If they can't agree to that, all else is moot, cause they ain't coming aboard.

 

[kpgraci]

Yeah, what he said.... YOU are the skipper. Whomever is "demanding" is not the one who will face the jury in court.

Come on...it's his wife. I'd rahter go to court.

 

[txtowman]

Surely, if you have invited them aboard you know them well enough to be honest and upfront about the weight issue. I am a big fella and I would not be offended by suggestions for my safety aboard the vessel, just explain things in a businesslike manner and enjoy the ballast. JMHO!

 

[tommays]

When my friend who was Seafevers PO passed away this summer i took his son daughter in law and Grandson out for the scattering of his ashes getting them on and off the boat alive was a really bad experience as the son and wife were both overweight and NOT even close to 350#

 

[zeehag]

goood luck. try a formosa 41 or larger for the day. doesnt seem to matter how much weight is in these things..... they crave more
wow goood luck.

if cant gt a formosa 41, try keeping the weight low and in the middle of boat. mebbe the dinette?? is it a dinette model??? one centered on each pilot berth??

wow......

shoehorn???? slide instead of steps??

 

[Merlin Clark]

You could develop that nasty engine problem in your Catalina and then rent a nice pontoon boat for a 1/2 or full day.