Runaway Sailboat cuts power to island

[Ol Dave]

This caught my attention on the Weather Channel. An unattended sailboat (ketch) was loose during Isaac and was sailing itself. It even ran into the power lines to Dauphine Island and got itself free. It just goes to show you that most boats can "take" more punishment than we can.
http://www.weather.com/weather/vide...g-isaac-kirk-and-leslie-6584#loc=62/436/30383

 

[Rick]

How strange. Abandonned ship? It managed to get away with NO hurricane prep, sails a flyin'? Hmmmmm

That just doesnt seem right to me but I am still trying to get passed the Agien disaster.

Cheers

 

[Scott T-Bird]

A nicely balanced rig? According to the report, an older fella was trying to sail the boat to safe harbor but couldn't lower the sails (jammed). So he was rescued by law enforcement but they left the boat grounded with sails up. So then the water rises(???) and the boat quite happily sails away. The damn island got in the way so it hits a power line, gets a jolt, and turns around and sails in another direction? That boat must be one helluva sailor!

 

[Rick]

A nicely balanced rig? According to the report, an older fella was trying to sail the boat to safe harbor but couldn't lower the sails (jammed). So he was rescued by law enforcement but they left the boat grounded with sails up. So then the water rises(???) and the boat quite happily sails away. The damn island got in the way so it hits a power line, gets a jolt, and turns around and sails in another direction? That boat must be one helluva sailor!

Thanks for the info Scott. I have to admit, because we sometimes sail longer distances with just two in the crew, "HAL" in the apparent wind mode is one of the better sailors on the boat! I have also just lashed a bit of rope to the helm much like Joshua Slocum and just let her head up and fall off. No problems.

Cheers