Is a life sling not for use on a 42 to 45' boat. Are they too log of in length to use that amount or of line that is on the sling or what? I see they are recomended for 20 - 30'boats. Thanks CW
- Status
I don't have one but most recommend for
use as an aid to getting your MOB back onboard. There have been a number of incidents where the person onboard was physically unable to get someone out of the water. I don't understand how the length of the boat matters, maybe just cause they figure 20' to 30' boats usually have crews of 2 or 3 where it may be more beneficial.
use as an aid to getting your MOB back onboard. There have been a number of incidents where the person onboard was physically unable to get someone out of the water. I don't understand how the length of the boat matters, maybe just cause they figure 20' to 30' boats usually have crews of 2 or 3 where it may be more beneficial.
There are several models of LifeSling systems
There is a LifeSling2 which appears to be the most popular system which includes the horseshoe with 125 feet of floating line. The original LifeSling came with 150 feet of line. The LS2 is recommended for boats from 20' to 35' but could be used on a larger boat if desired. I think the company that makes Lifeslings are advocating their new Lifesling Inflatable for larger boats however, I am not sure it is Coast Guard approved as yet. There is a LifeSling for Commercial vessels that has the longer line and it has SOLAS reflective tape. Of course it cost a little more. A friend of mine has suggest that there ought to be a inflatable ballon that fills with an attached line, so we could see the person in the water. Interesting idea. You also want to remember that you will need a hoisting system (block and tackle) to get the MOB person on board unless you have a sugar scoop stern. Even then some sort of a jury rig would probably be helpful. Hope this helps.... Les
There is a LifeSling2 which appears to be the most popular system which includes the horseshoe with 125 feet of floating line. The original LifeSling came with 150 feet of line. The LS2 is recommended for boats from 20' to 35' but could be used on a larger boat if desired. I think the company that makes Lifeslings are advocating their new Lifesling Inflatable for larger boats however, I am not sure it is Coast Guard approved as yet. There is a LifeSling for Commercial vessels that has the longer line and it has SOLAS reflective tape. Of course it cost a little more. A friend of mine has suggest that there ought to be a inflatable ballon that fills with an attached line, so we could see the person in the water. Interesting idea. You also want to remember that you will need a hoisting system (block and tackle) to get the MOB person on board unless you have a sugar scoop stern. Even then some sort of a jury rig would probably be helpful. Hope this helps.... Les
An idea to toss around
Deploying the LifeSling is problematic, insofar as the MOB could be 100 feet away by the time you toss, and he can hardly swim to it. He can't put it on if he's not near it. So you should resist the temptation to throw it until you've turned around and sail/motor closer to the victim. I keep a rope-in-a-bag on the lifeline as well, since you can toss that item a good 30-40 feet and are more likely to reach the MOB in the first place.
Deploying the LifeSling is problematic, insofar as the MOB could be 100 feet away by the time you toss, and he can hardly swim to it. He can't put it on if he's not near it. So you should resist the temptation to throw it until you've turned around and sail/motor closer to the victim. I keep a rope-in-a-bag on the lifeline as well, since you can toss that item a good 30-40 feet and are more likely to reach the MOB in the first place.
MOB
I am an instructor for boating safety and highly recommend the Lifesling as a very effecient method of rescue. However the process HAS to be practiced so that the persons on board regularily will be comfortable with it since at the time it's needed, you won't have the time to learn about it then. Personally I would only be concerned with the height of the freeboard, so for example if the sling was deployed on a vessel having a 15' freeboard, the length of the rescue line might be an issue. See West Marine's hardcopy catalogue and there is an excellent presentation of the method there. Or you might consult the Annapolis Book of Seamanship. One of the most critical aspects is to have a system for getting the person overboard back onto the vessel. Again a block and tackle on the boom, through a block to a winch will do the trick. Safe boating.
I am an instructor for boating safety and highly recommend the Lifesling as a very effecient method of rescue. However the process HAS to be practiced so that the persons on board regularily will be comfortable with it since at the time it's needed, you won't have the time to learn about it then. Personally I would only be concerned with the height of the freeboard, so for example if the sling was deployed on a vessel having a 15' freeboard, the length of the rescue line might be an issue. See West Marine's hardcopy catalogue and there is an excellent presentation of the method there. Or you might consult the Annapolis Book of Seamanship. One of the most critical aspects is to have a system for getting the person overboard back onto the vessel. Again a block and tackle on the boom, through a block to a winch will do the trick. Safe boating.
Read instructions
People should be aware of how life-saving equipment is designed to work, and practice with it, as Brian suggests. The Lifesling is deployed after someone goes over the side. It then drags behind the boat like a long tail. The boat then circles the victim so that the line and bouyant belt essentially snares him or her (and vice-versa). You can then slow/stop the boat and bring the victim back to you. Getting a tired- possibly incapacitated- , wet, and therefore HEAVY victim back aboard is a MAJOR undertaking. People who complain about bringing a 45-pound anchor should consider that the average American man weighs more like 200. A ladder may be dangerous for rescuers to use as well as the victim. (A slip, and you have broken legs if they get through the rungs and get pinned against the boat in wave conditions that likely led to the MOB in the first place.) What seems like the best idea I've heard is to have a net, possibly made out of webbing. It clips to the stanchion bases on the leeward side and is about five or six feet wide, with rope lanyards spliced to the other two corners. You hang it over the side and bring the victim up to it Then you pass the lanyards outside the victim and pull them up. The effect is a 2:1 parbuckle, which can be increased by taking the lines to a tackle attached to the boom. The victim gets dumped unceremoneously, perhaps, on the deck, but it's good to have him or her back.
People should be aware of how life-saving equipment is designed to work, and practice with it, as Brian suggests. The Lifesling is deployed after someone goes over the side. It then drags behind the boat like a long tail. The boat then circles the victim so that the line and bouyant belt essentially snares him or her (and vice-versa). You can then slow/stop the boat and bring the victim back to you. Getting a tired- possibly incapacitated- , wet, and therefore HEAVY victim back aboard is a MAJOR undertaking. People who complain about bringing a 45-pound anchor should consider that the average American man weighs more like 200. A ladder may be dangerous for rescuers to use as well as the victim. (A slip, and you have broken legs if they get through the rungs and get pinned against the boat in wave conditions that likely led to the MOB in the first place.) What seems like the best idea I've heard is to have a net, possibly made out of webbing. It clips to the stanchion bases on the leeward side and is about five or six feet wide, with rope lanyards spliced to the other two corners. You hang it over the side and bring the victim up to it Then you pass the lanyards outside the victim and pull them up. The effect is a 2:1 parbuckle, which can be increased by taking the lines to a tackle attached to the boom. The victim gets dumped unceremoneously, perhaps, on the deck, but it's good to have him or her back.
We have tried it
A couple of years ago I participated in a test carried out on behalf of Britain's largest selling sailing magazine. We tested all the available devices including Lifesling. As PaulK says the technique is to circle the MOB so that the trailing line encircles him. Inexperienced MOBs will try to use the line to get to the yacht when they should work back toward the floating lifesling. Care is needed not to give the survivor rope burns. When he has got himself into the sling he is pulled back to the yacht. A line is passed and he clips this onto the sling. We used a medium build woman as the rescuer and the main halyard with a 4:1 purchase on the end. The fall of the purchase went through the genoa fairlead and to the genoa winch. Even with purchase and winch she was completely unable to hoist the survivor out of the water. He tried to assist himself and it was better but still problematical. The only success was when the other man on board assisted. All this was in calm waters and the survivor weighed about 180 lbs. These devices all worked similarly but none overcame the difficulties of getting the man back on board. The best (and dearest) is the Jon-Buoy. Nonetheless I would still carry one.
A couple of years ago I participated in a test carried out on behalf of Britain's largest selling sailing magazine. We tested all the available devices including Lifesling. As PaulK says the technique is to circle the MOB so that the trailing line encircles him. Inexperienced MOBs will try to use the line to get to the yacht when they should work back toward the floating lifesling. Care is needed not to give the survivor rope burns. When he has got himself into the sling he is pulled back to the yacht. A line is passed and he clips this onto the sling. We used a medium build woman as the rescuer and the main halyard with a 4:1 purchase on the end. The fall of the purchase went through the genoa fairlead and to the genoa winch. Even with purchase and winch she was completely unable to hoist the survivor out of the water. He tried to assist himself and it was better but still problematical. The only success was when the other man on board assisted. All this was in calm waters and the survivor weighed about 180 lbs. These devices all worked similarly but none overcame the difficulties of getting the man back on board. The best (and dearest) is the Jon-Buoy. Nonetheless I would still carry one.
Life sling is designed to get them on board
Our approach is to shift the boom vang (with snap shackle on both ends) to the end of the boom, and then fasten the lower end to the life sling. We then have the MOB on a 4:1 fall that can easily be tailed to our halyard winch. We will give it a try while anchored out next summer to work out the kinks. David Lady Lillie
Our approach is to shift the boom vang (with snap shackle on both ends) to the end of the boom, and then fasten the lower end to the life sling. We then have the MOB on a 4:1 fall that can easily be tailed to our halyard winch. We will give it a try while anchored out next summer to work out the kinks. David Lady Lillie
Donalex - need more information
I have seen a video of the use of a LifeSling (but don't yet have one). I have been thinking of getting one as it is possible that my wife may have to lift me out of the water some day. In the video a woman was doing the cranking on a fairly sizeable man and had no trouble (except that there was a lot of cranking needed). With the 4 to 1 purchase of the lifting tackle multiplied by at least a 3 to one winch multiplier (more on a two speed winch) the total mechanical advantage is at least 12 to 1. Granted there will be friction in the system but for a 200 lb person the amount of force on the winch handle would likely be less than 20 lbs. I also searched the net and took a look at the Jon Buoy which you mentioned. It looks to have some advantages for getting the person out of the water (and potential for hypothermia) while the boat gets back. However, I do not understand why it is any easier to physically lift the person out of the water as far as I can determine you still will have the same type of lifting tackle as for the LifeSlling. Can you please provide some more detail from the test that was done?
I have seen a video of the use of a LifeSling (but don't yet have one). I have been thinking of getting one as it is possible that my wife may have to lift me out of the water some day. In the video a woman was doing the cranking on a fairly sizeable man and had no trouble (except that there was a lot of cranking needed). With the 4 to 1 purchase of the lifting tackle multiplied by at least a 3 to one winch multiplier (more on a two speed winch) the total mechanical advantage is at least 12 to 1. Granted there will be friction in the system but for a 200 lb person the amount of force on the winch handle would likely be less than 20 lbs. I also searched the net and took a look at the Jon Buoy which you mentioned. It looks to have some advantages for getting the person out of the water (and potential for hypothermia) while the boat gets back. However, I do not understand why it is any easier to physically lift the person out of the water as far as I can determine you still will have the same type of lifting tackle as for the LifeSlling. Can you please provide some more detail from the test that was done?
Life Slip
Using the Lifesling to hoist some one out of the water makes me worry that they would slip out of it, for the same reasons that a waterski type belt isn't considered a Coast-Guard approved lifejacket- it's too easy for it to slip off, over a victim's arms. The jonbuoy that Malcom mentions looks like it solves this problem to some extent, if you can get the purchase attachment point for your tackle up high enough. We had a wonderful plan for using the running backstay tackles to hoist our victim out -- until we learned from experience (a drill, luckily) that it wouldn't work properly that way. The 6:1 tackle went two-blocked before the victim cleared the rail. Getting the attachment point low enough so that you can raise the victim high enough raises the center of gravity of the load, and runs the risk of making it topheavy - with the victim falling out or going turtle. Using the boom to leeward reduces the available lifting distance, and may not be enough to clear the deck if the harness is as tall as the jonbuoy seems to be. I don't like the idea of using the main halyard because lowering the main means another time-consuming operation before getting the victim, and messes up our maneuverability. I don't want the engine going with lines and a person in the water, its noise adding to the confusion and making communication more difficult. This is why I think a net over the side with a tackle going to the boom should be the quickest & easiest in a wide variety of situations. I'm waiting to practice next season with a greased watermelon. It drifts slowly, is about the size of a head, needs to be handled carefully so as not to damage it, and is difficult to retrieve -- just like a real person.
Using the Lifesling to hoist some one out of the water makes me worry that they would slip out of it, for the same reasons that a waterski type belt isn't considered a Coast-Guard approved lifejacket- it's too easy for it to slip off, over a victim's arms. The jonbuoy that Malcom mentions looks like it solves this problem to some extent, if you can get the purchase attachment point for your tackle up high enough. We had a wonderful plan for using the running backstay tackles to hoist our victim out -- until we learned from experience (a drill, luckily) that it wouldn't work properly that way. The 6:1 tackle went two-blocked before the victim cleared the rail. Getting the attachment point low enough so that you can raise the victim high enough raises the center of gravity of the load, and runs the risk of making it topheavy - with the victim falling out or going turtle. Using the boom to leeward reduces the available lifting distance, and may not be enough to clear the deck if the harness is as tall as the jonbuoy seems to be. I don't like the idea of using the main halyard because lowering the main means another time-consuming operation before getting the victim, and messes up our maneuverability. I don't want the engine going with lines and a person in the water, its noise adding to the confusion and making communication more difficult. This is why I think a net over the side with a tackle going to the boom should be the quickest & easiest in a wide variety of situations. I'm waiting to practice next season with a greased watermelon. It drifts slowly, is about the size of a head, needs to be handled carefully so as not to damage it, and is difficult to retrieve -- just like a real person.
I mean the MOB lifesling, it comes in
a bag or plastic box, you can alsoget a hosting blocks and line for it. We have "Suspenders" life jackects with "O" rings for a tether, thease may be better tan using a lifesling if they were worn?
a bag or plastic box, you can alsoget a hosting blocks and line for it. We have "Suspenders" life jackects with "O" rings for a tether, thease may be better tan using a lifesling if they were worn?
Apples and oranges, Chip
The SOSpenders are meant to keep you IN the boat when used with a tether (and jacklines if you plan to move about). The Life-Sling is for recovery of someone who's already in the water. Despite claims that the Life-Sling can be used to winch someone aboard, I see it purely as a way to get the MOB back to the boat and nothing more. To complete the recovery I heave-to and deploy a boarding ladder over the transom. If I have to, I can go part way down the ladder to assist. My boat is small, so I can't use the boom as a lifting tackle. In addition, the sheaves in my masthead are plastic and won't support an MOB's weight. In the end, you have to try different things until you find what works best for YOUR boat. Good luck and safe sailing. Peter H23 "Raven"
The SOSpenders are meant to keep you IN the boat when used with a tether (and jacklines if you plan to move about). The Life-Sling is for recovery of someone who's already in the water. Despite claims that the Life-Sling can be used to winch someone aboard, I see it purely as a way to get the MOB back to the boat and nothing more. To complete the recovery I heave-to and deploy a boarding ladder over the transom. If I have to, I can go part way down the ladder to assist. My boat is small, so I can't use the boom as a lifting tackle. In addition, the sheaves in my masthead are plastic and won't support an MOB's weight. In the end, you have to try different things until you find what works best for YOUR boat. Good luck and safe sailing. Peter H23 "Raven"
Jon Buoy - Malcolm
Yes we were flabbergasted that she couldn't raise him. The boat was a 28 foot cruiser/racer so it had suitable winches for a 150% genoa. As all devices are the same from the lifting point of view, may I suggest you hook a bosun's chair on to a halyard and ask your wife to hoist you up about 6 feet. If she can then okay. If not try another wife, or change your will!! Sorry no offence intended.
Yes we were flabbergasted that she couldn't raise him. The boat was a 28 foot cruiser/racer so it had suitable winches for a 150% genoa. As all devices are the same from the lifting point of view, may I suggest you hook a bosun's chair on to a halyard and ask your wife to hoist you up about 6 feet. If she can then okay. If not try another wife, or change your will!! Sorry no offence intended.
Well what we are trying
to do is take as much equipment as possible with us to our new boat (which most likely will be a 45' CC. We now have a 1983 30' Catalina sloop.) and get as much safety gear as needed and more, we have "Suspenders" off shore life jackets with rings for teathers, we just purchased lights for them (it is now dark when we sail after work) and do not see where to attach to them, any way we got some whistles and that’s all so far. I now can see a lifesling will work on both boats but will require a lot of other parts to it. My wife will need to pick me up in most likely rough seas with flapping sails and she will need to go below and switch over the batteries and then come back to the cockpit and start the motor (we can not sail that well yet o navigate to a MOB in rough seas towing a lifesling using the sails, well possibly). Of course she will need to through over the MOB pole (need to purchase) set the MOB button on the GPS (if we are using the GPS) through over the lifesling, let go of all the sheets, rig the block and tackle for the life sling and navigate back to me all while not freaking out. We will practice this spring a bunch and that will make it a lot safer. My wife likes to sail and feels safer when we wear our life jackets out of harbor and she would and I would feel safer knowing how to get one of us back on board. I am trying to make good decisions on the purchases. We have a block and tackle for tabernackling the mast so it should lift a wet 200lb person, I was going o buy a system to hoist a persn on board but now see we should make one custome that my wife can use easily. It will be interesting to see how to get a person from hanging on the boom to the boat without beating them to death against the side of the boat. We are setting up a preventer system at this time so that should help in the process. We were sailing Saturday and it was really nice out side the San Diego Harbor. We try to pick real nice weather days to sail so we have successes and gain in our skill. We have had our boat nine months and took keel boat lesions. Thanks for all the help Chip
to do is take as much equipment as possible with us to our new boat (which most likely will be a 45' CC. We now have a 1983 30' Catalina sloop.) and get as much safety gear as needed and more, we have "Suspenders" off shore life jackets with rings for teathers, we just purchased lights for them (it is now dark when we sail after work) and do not see where to attach to them, any way we got some whistles and that’s all so far. I now can see a lifesling will work on both boats but will require a lot of other parts to it. My wife will need to pick me up in most likely rough seas with flapping sails and she will need to go below and switch over the batteries and then come back to the cockpit and start the motor (we can not sail that well yet o navigate to a MOB in rough seas towing a lifesling using the sails, well possibly). Of course she will need to through over the MOB pole (need to purchase) set the MOB button on the GPS (if we are using the GPS) through over the lifesling, let go of all the sheets, rig the block and tackle for the life sling and navigate back to me all while not freaking out. We will practice this spring a bunch and that will make it a lot safer. My wife likes to sail and feels safer when we wear our life jackets out of harbor and she would and I would feel safer knowing how to get one of us back on board. I am trying to make good decisions on the purchases. We have a block and tackle for tabernackling the mast so it should lift a wet 200lb person, I was going o buy a system to hoist a persn on board but now see we should make one custome that my wife can use easily. It will be interesting to see how to get a person from hanging on the boom to the boat without beating them to death against the side of the boat. We are setting up a preventer system at this time so that should help in the process. We were sailing Saturday and it was really nice out side the San Diego Harbor. We try to pick real nice weather days to sail so we have successes and gain in our skill. We have had our boat nine months and took keel boat lesions. Thanks for all the help Chip
Chip - an observation on your battery statement.
You say that "she will need to go below and switch over the batteries and then come back to the cockpit and start the motor". No offense intended, but I would not like to have what you describe. On my H410 I have a separate start battery that is always "on" when the boat is away from the dock. Thus, I can start the motor at any time, especially when needed in an emergency. The house batteries, which power everything else, are a completely separate system and are also always on when away from the dock. I would look into why you would need to do what you describe and seek a way to alter the system. Safe sailing! Mulf
You say that "she will need to go below and switch over the batteries and then come back to the cockpit and start the motor". No offense intended, but I would not like to have what you describe. On my H410 I have a separate start battery that is always "on" when the boat is away from the dock. Thus, I can start the motor at any time, especially when needed in an emergency. The house batteries, which power everything else, are a completely separate system and are also always on when away from the dock. I would look into why you would need to do what you describe and seek a way to alter the system. Safe sailing! Mulf
MOB technique
Now we get into the nitty-gritty of actual MOB procedure. A couple of years ago we took part in a Safety at Sea seminar run by the Storm Trysail Club. (They sponsor things like Block Island Race Week, among others.) The gist of their approach was called "Quick Stop". After years of hearing about the "reverse reach" and its various cousins, this "Quick Stop" was news to me. Essentially, it goes like this: If someone goes over -- you tack. Immediately. All-standing. Ask questions later. Tack. It sounded interesting, and that afternoon we went out to try it, retrieving a tossed cushion in 15-20 knots of breeze and a full crew of junior sailors. We started out with the spinnaker up. I tossed the cushion and called "man overboard". One crew kept his eyes on the "victim" and pointed at it. The helmsman put the wheel over, and we tacked. The spinnaker was aback, we slowed, kept turning toward the "victim", and were back to it within a minute. The crew managed to get the spinnaker down, but it hadn't impacted us much. We did this about a dozen times, using different sail combinations and different points of sail, getting better and better results. In fact, the various helmsmen, all eager to get back to the victim as quickly as possible, found the biggest problem was slowing the boat down enough to actually retrieve "him". (You don't want to rip someone's arms off, grappling them at six knots!) I would urge all boaters to practice a MOB drill and to have a method planned out that works for them and their boat. "Quick Stop" seemed to work pretty well for us and the other dozen boats in the seminar.
Now we get into the nitty-gritty of actual MOB procedure. A couple of years ago we took part in a Safety at Sea seminar run by the Storm Trysail Club. (They sponsor things like Block Island Race Week, among others.) The gist of their approach was called "Quick Stop". After years of hearing about the "reverse reach" and its various cousins, this "Quick Stop" was news to me. Essentially, it goes like this: If someone goes over -- you tack. Immediately. All-standing. Ask questions later. Tack. It sounded interesting, and that afternoon we went out to try it, retrieving a tossed cushion in 15-20 knots of breeze and a full crew of junior sailors. We started out with the spinnaker up. I tossed the cushion and called "man overboard". One crew kept his eyes on the "victim" and pointed at it. The helmsman put the wheel over, and we tacked. The spinnaker was aback, we slowed, kept turning toward the "victim", and were back to it within a minute. The crew managed to get the spinnaker down, but it hadn't impacted us much. We did this about a dozen times, using different sail combinations and different points of sail, getting better and better results. In fact, the various helmsmen, all eager to get back to the victim as quickly as possible, found the biggest problem was slowing the boat down enough to actually retrieve "him". (You don't want to rip someone's arms off, grappling them at six knots!) I would urge all boaters to practice a MOB drill and to have a method planned out that works for them and their boat. "Quick Stop" seemed to work pretty well for us and the other dozen boats in the seminar.
I also found "Quick Stop" method efficient,
backwinding the jib gets you around fast and you can often come upwind to stop the boat below the MOB. Chip, you should be able to start your engine from the one house battery in an emergency to eliminate that trip down to the switch. I can run on 1 for about 10-12 hrs. with radios, autopilot, etc. & still be able to start. As for getting someone aboard I don't know and I used to be a Lifeguard. I have a "sugar scoop" stern with a ladder that goes really deep I'm counting on. I wonder if an anchor windlass could not be used somehow as an aid. Tethers are usually attached to "jacklines" running the length of the deck and their rigging the subject of hundreds of hours of debate. How long ? Just enough so your feet are in the water or enough to get to the stern? What material ? The West Marine and this site probably have volumes of stuff on Jacklines and tethers.
backwinding the jib gets you around fast and you can often come upwind to stop the boat below the MOB. Chip, you should be able to start your engine from the one house battery in an emergency to eliminate that trip down to the switch. I can run on 1 for about 10-12 hrs. with radios, autopilot, etc. & still be able to start. As for getting someone aboard I don't know and I used to be a Lifeguard. I have a "sugar scoop" stern with a ladder that goes really deep I'm counting on. I wonder if an anchor windlass could not be used somehow as an aid. Tethers are usually attached to "jacklines" running the length of the deck and their rigging the subject of hundreds of hours of debate. How long ? Just enough so your feet are in the water or enough to get to the stern? What material ? The West Marine and this site probably have volumes of stuff on Jacklines and tethers.
Can somebody in a warmer clime try this please
I feel the problem of getting back to the MOB is but the least of one's troubles. In my case, if my lady can get the boat to me and pass a line, then I will attach it to the lifejacket D ring and get her to pull me to the stern and then take the line over the pushpit and to a winch. Then she just winds and I come up the transom whether I want to or not. There is a risk of injury, both from the boat pitching and from being forcibly dragged up the sloping transom - but at least I will be secured to the boat and, in extremis, she could tow me all the way home. (Or raise the alarm which should be the first thing!) Anyone in a warm sea like to try it and report please?
I feel the problem of getting back to the MOB is but the least of one's troubles. In my case, if my lady can get the boat to me and pass a line, then I will attach it to the lifejacket D ring and get her to pull me to the stern and then take the line over the pushpit and to a winch. Then she just winds and I come up the transom whether I want to or not. There is a risk of injury, both from the boat pitching and from being forcibly dragged up the sloping transom - but at least I will be secured to the boat and, in extremis, she could tow me all the way home. (Or raise the alarm which should be the first thing!) Anyone in a warm sea like to try it and report please?
Starting batteries a problem.
I have three batteries, one is a wet cell battery which starts the motor fine, I switch to it to start the motor and then switch back to the two jell batteries for the house electric. They are wired in parallel but still do not have the juice to start the motor most of the time. I had them tested and they are good. I think maybe the charger does not get them up t a top charge because of the wet cell batteries. That is the way the boat came. It works fine for regular use but I can see it would or it could be a problem in an MOB situation. I will try to straiten out that problem so we do not have to switch batteries in an emergency start situation. I do like the tack now plan. We will try it out in a drill. We do not need warm water for that drill.
I have three batteries, one is a wet cell battery which starts the motor fine, I switch to it to start the motor and then switch back to the two jell batteries for the house electric. They are wired in parallel but still do not have the juice to start the motor most of the time. I had them tested and they are good. I think maybe the charger does not get them up t a top charge because of the wet cell batteries. That is the way the boat came. It works fine for regular use but I can see it would or it could be a problem in an MOB situation. I will try to straiten out that problem so we do not have to switch batteries in an emergency start situation. I do like the tack now plan. We will try it out in a drill. We do not need warm water for that drill.
- Status