Well, it's clear the majority of us are not in favor of mandatory PFD's . So who do you want along to toss you a cushion or a life sling if you fall overboard? Our time on board our boats out sailing is special to all of us, and we don't want it spoiled by having just anyone along for the ride. So who is your favorite sailing companion? Is it your spouse or significant other? Maybe a sailing buddy or your racing crew? How about a parent or one or more of your kids for some family time? Or do you prefer the one-on-one time of singlehanding your boat? Share your thoughts on sailing companionship and be sure to vote in the quiz on the bottom of the home page. (Quiz by Gary Wyngarden)
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Two Friends
Two friends make sailing for me, one who is not with us now and my beloved wife. I would race w/ Jim, usually on his boat. We gradually got better and better till we won a major regatta together. He was my best boat bud, a close personal mentor, and my "older brother". We lost him in October of 2003, suddenly. My other friend is my wife, it was fun teaching her to sail. She has even made an attempt to learn the lingo. It was kind of funny as the boat she learned on, a 30' Beneteau, had a tiller. The heeling and speed never bothered her. Now that we have a 32 Beneteau with a wheel, she is very sensitive to heeling over 20 degrees. Never the less she is an avid sailor, and because of her I have the best life in the world. Fair Winds!
Two friends make sailing for me, one who is not with us now and my beloved wife. I would race w/ Jim, usually on his boat. We gradually got better and better till we won a major regatta together. He was my best boat bud, a close personal mentor, and my "older brother". We lost him in October of 2003, suddenly. My other friend is my wife, it was fun teaching her to sail. She has even made an attempt to learn the lingo. It was kind of funny as the boat she learned on, a 30' Beneteau, had a tiller. The heeling and speed never bothered her. Now that we have a 32 Beneteau with a wheel, she is very sensitive to heeling over 20 degrees. Never the less she is an avid sailor, and because of her I have the best life in the world. Fair Winds!
Trying to RelaxWith all the work I am doing during the day with groups of people, I enjoy going sigle-handed for the solitude and challenge. I especially try to stay away from newbies cause they always seem to get sick and cut my precious ride short. Selfish, I know, but man... the time on the lake is precious!
Partner in Life, Partner on the water
Our boat was a twelve year dream of ours. When we are out on the water we can relax and let the whole world drift on by. She's the Pilot, I am the deck hand. I am the Captain she is the First Mate. We are truly blessed to have Inspiration and Play.
Our boat was a twelve year dream of ours. When we are out on the water we can relax and let the whole world drift on by. She's the Pilot, I am the deck hand. I am the Captain she is the First Mate. We are truly blessed to have Inspiration and Play.
Without hesitation, my wife is truly my first mate and preferred sailing companion. Although she doesn't actively participate in handling the boat, she does completely support me in my passion for sailing. She is encouraging even when I do one of those stupid things like leaving the dock with the shore power still connected. Just this weekend, we had family join us for a Mother's Day sail and I found myself stressed and longing for a sail with just my wife.
My life partner
I prefer to go sailing with my life partner, my soul mate -- my wife of 27 years. We both had boating in our backgrounds before we got together, and now work very well as a team. We generally know what the other is going to do before they do it. And, of course, IF I fell in and she had to throw me a life ring, she would pull me back on board, make sure I was OK and then chew me out for not wearing my PFD.
I prefer to go sailing with my life partner, my soul mate -- my wife of 27 years. We both had boating in our backgrounds before we got together, and now work very well as a team. We generally know what the other is going to do before they do it. And, of course, IF I fell in and she had to throw me a life ring, she would pull me back on board, make sure I was OK and then chew me out for not wearing my PFD.
It's a Family Affair!
While friends are fun to have along at times, MY favorite hands are those of my immediate family members: husband and 4 kids. We are a very close family, and spending time on the lake together is the best. No worry about where OUR teenagers are! We look out for each other (and wear our PFD's at all times, too, even when it's sweaty-hot).
While friends are fun to have along at times, MY favorite hands are those of my immediate family members: husband and 4 kids. We are a very close family, and spending time on the lake together is the best. No worry about where OUR teenagers are! We look out for each other (and wear our PFD's at all times, too, even when it's sweaty-hot).
Sailing Buddy
My son Alex is my first mate. At age 11 he can handle the helm of out 37 cutter very well. I like him at the helm and myself triming the sails. We do very well together it won't be long before I just sit and relax and Alex doing it all.We also like it when Emily (my daughter) and Linda my wife comes along.
My son Alex is my first mate. At age 11 he can handle the helm of out 37 cutter very well. I like him at the helm and myself triming the sails. We do very well together it won't be long before I just sit and relax and Alex doing it all.We also like it when Emily (my daughter) and Linda my wife comes along.
Sailing Partner
My sailing partner who I enjoy sailing with the most is my youngest daughter. At first she was afraid to be just on the dock! A power boat would go bye and off the dock she went. Then about a year later I moved to a mooring ball and everything changed. She loved sailing on the boat! She's a good hand a sailing and enjoys it very much. She is even thinking about getting a Laser so she can have her "own" boat!
My sailing partner who I enjoy sailing with the most is my youngest daughter. At first she was afraid to be just on the dock! A power boat would go bye and off the dock she went. Then about a year later I moved to a mooring ball and everything changed. She loved sailing on the boat! She's a good hand a sailing and enjoys it very much. She is even thinking about getting a Laser so she can have her "own" boat!
Companions ans safety devices
OK, you frame the vote and the discussion in terms of safety and throwing the life ring or, specifically, the Lifesling. Interesting proposition. And I presume that no one else is aboard. If I go overboard, I want the most experiences sailing hand I can find to do the MOB drill. I do, however enjoy sailing most with my wife, BUT, could she do what is perscribed to make the Lifesling work in any conditions other that a flat, clam sea (which all the Lifesling ads and descriptions show0? I very seriously doubt it. Think about it. Not only does she have to tack the boat then deploy the Lifesling then jibe the boat around me (assuming she has not lost sight of me) then pull me in (anothe assumption, i.e., that I have been able to get the thing around my shoulders). Then she has to rig the tackle to pull me up onto the deck, over the lifelines. All the time this is happening, the boat is doing something, pitching, rolling, drifting (maybe sailing) off to Timbuctoo. This is a safety device which, in my mind is leading to a flase sense of sevurity. To my mind, it is better to plan not to go overboard. Rig jack lines, use your harness and tether, and wear the PFD. Of course nothing is foolproof so you had better continue to do MOB drills, but don't put an inordinate amounmt of faith in the Lifesling. There, I've spoken my piece. Bob Braddy Zaffer Zephyr C36 Mk II
OK, you frame the vote and the discussion in terms of safety and throwing the life ring or, specifically, the Lifesling. Interesting proposition. And I presume that no one else is aboard. If I go overboard, I want the most experiences sailing hand I can find to do the MOB drill. I do, however enjoy sailing most with my wife, BUT, could she do what is perscribed to make the Lifesling work in any conditions other that a flat, clam sea (which all the Lifesling ads and descriptions show0? I very seriously doubt it. Think about it. Not only does she have to tack the boat then deploy the Lifesling then jibe the boat around me (assuming she has not lost sight of me) then pull me in (anothe assumption, i.e., that I have been able to get the thing around my shoulders). Then she has to rig the tackle to pull me up onto the deck, over the lifelines. All the time this is happening, the boat is doing something, pitching, rolling, drifting (maybe sailing) off to Timbuctoo. This is a safety device which, in my mind is leading to a flase sense of sevurity. To my mind, it is better to plan not to go overboard. Rig jack lines, use your harness and tether, and wear the PFD. Of course nothing is foolproof so you had better continue to do MOB drills, but don't put an inordinate amounmt of faith in the Lifesling. There, I've spoken my piece. Bob Braddy Zaffer Zephyr C36 Mk II
Capt. Smartypants
My partner Carolyn is the most fun at the helm. She keeps it upright and scares me only minimally. And when she balks at wearing her low-profile PFD, I ask if she prefers burial at sea.
My partner Carolyn is the most fun at the helm. She keeps it upright and scares me only minimally. And when she balks at wearing her low-profile PFD, I ask if she prefers burial at sea.
Partner for life
No question, my partner for life. We share our Cal 39 50-50, sailing, maintaining, and upgrading her. We love to take friends out, with us, but sailing together and sharing all duties together is truly a joy, and sometimes an intense form of couples therapy.
No question, my partner for life. We share our Cal 39 50-50, sailing, maintaining, and upgrading her. We love to take friends out, with us, but sailing together and sharing all duties together is truly a joy, and sometimes an intense form of couples therapy.
When the time is right
I really look forward to those hours of solitude when single handing is good and relaxing........though, I find I can only share my thoughts with myself for so long before I start thinking of the wife, her eyes when the boat heels high, her wanting to make sure we have the right snacks and drinks...her support when I break gear or lose something overboard(tools).....I find with her, the day is always good, even when her feminine stresses push the schedule, or lead to talking kids, dog and yard.......I still would rather look across that cockpit at her than an empty space......
I really look forward to those hours of solitude when single handing is good and relaxing........though, I find I can only share my thoughts with myself for so long before I start thinking of the wife, her eyes when the boat heels high, her wanting to make sure we have the right snacks and drinks...her support when I break gear or lose something overboard(tools).....I find with her, the day is always good, even when her feminine stresses push the schedule, or lead to talking kids, dog and yard.......I still would rather look across that cockpit at her than an empty space......
Pleasure versus Dying!!
I always objected to Motor Cycle Helmut laws for the same reason I don't like to wear a PFD. I am sailing for a pleasurable experience. I know there is a risk of dying while doing it. I take precautions I am willing to take to stay alive. I know there can be unforseen circumstances that might cause my demise! That would be a tragic accident. What are the odds of such an accident occurring? Whether under the influence of Alcohol or sober. Maybe someone can come up with a number. Number of Deaths per man hour of sailing. Number of incapacitating accidents per man hour of sailing. Number of serious injuries per man hour of sailing. I hope you get the gist of what I am saying. This is the Insurance industry trying to reduce their cost of doing business. Not by protecting you, as they say. That is not it. They want it to be so unpleasant for you to engage in the activity that you won't do the activity anymore. I know, I hate rideing a motorcycle with a helmut on. Guess what, I stopped rideing. Ergo no more risk for the Insurance industry. Don't let them make wearing PFD's mandatory!!!!! Mark, age 61
I always objected to Motor Cycle Helmut laws for the same reason I don't like to wear a PFD. I am sailing for a pleasurable experience. I know there is a risk of dying while doing it. I take precautions I am willing to take to stay alive. I know there can be unforseen circumstances that might cause my demise! That would be a tragic accident. What are the odds of such an accident occurring? Whether under the influence of Alcohol or sober. Maybe someone can come up with a number. Number of Deaths per man hour of sailing. Number of incapacitating accidents per man hour of sailing. Number of serious injuries per man hour of sailing. I hope you get the gist of what I am saying. This is the Insurance industry trying to reduce their cost of doing business. Not by protecting you, as they say. That is not it. They want it to be so unpleasant for you to engage in the activity that you won't do the activity anymore. I know, I hate rideing a motorcycle with a helmut on. Guess what, I stopped rideing. Ergo no more risk for the Insurance industry. Don't let them make wearing PFD's mandatory!!!!! Mark, age 61
Put "Waldo" on the crew list!
I love the challenge of single or short handed sailing. I'm saving for an auto pilot (Waldo). I think that the MOB equipment should be placed on the transom with an RF actuated mechanism so that the MOB themselves can deploy it when they hit the water. This would be something to integrate into the new GPS Personal EPIRB devices as they are perfected.
I love the challenge of single or short handed sailing. I'm saving for an auto pilot (Waldo). I think that the MOB equipment should be placed on the transom with an RF actuated mechanism so that the MOB themselves can deploy it when they hit the water. This would be something to integrate into the new GPS Personal EPIRB devices as they are perfected.
My Captain!
Being the first mate on our vessel, my Captain (and husband) is w/o a doubt my favorite sailing companion...
Being the first mate on our vessel, my Captain (and husband) is w/o a doubt my favorite sailing companion...
One hand for me, one for the boat
Absolutely no P.F.D.,s required, by required I mean, must be worn at all times when outside of the cabin. I always keep one handy and I require all children to wear one outside of the cabin. The powers that be would love to have even more control of us. The insurance companies would love to have even more control of us. I say sailing is freedom from the laws of the land. FREEDOM!!!!! George
Absolutely no P.F.D.,s required, by required I mean, must be worn at all times when outside of the cabin. I always keep one handy and I require all children to wear one outside of the cabin. The powers that be would love to have even more control of us. The insurance companies would love to have even more control of us. I say sailing is freedom from the laws of the land. FREEDOM!!!!! George
Anyone I can talk into it....
My first choices would be my son or my girlfriend. Following a close second; family and friends. With rising gas prices, more and more people seem to be getting the method to my madness. What most people quickly come to realize is that I won't be stuck at the marina like everyone who powerboats. $2+ at the local gas station, even more at the marina, and I don't care. The best part is being able to talk (not shout) while sailing. No loud engine to contend with. Ok. There are those who've pointed out that I (we) won't get there as quick as a power boat. So? If I wanted high speed and aggravation over gas prices, I'd drive (a car).
My first choices would be my son or my girlfriend. Following a close second; family and friends. With rising gas prices, more and more people seem to be getting the method to my madness. What most people quickly come to realize is that I won't be stuck at the marina like everyone who powerboats. $2+ at the local gas station, even more at the marina, and I don't care. The best part is being able to talk (not shout) while sailing. No loud engine to contend with. Ok. There are those who've pointed out that I (we) won't get there as quick as a power boat. So? If I wanted high speed and aggravation over gas prices, I'd drive (a car).
this is an easy one!
my gal April and our Jack Russel Ernie. all the crew I need. otherwise I just assume go it alone!
my gal April and our Jack Russel Ernie. all the crew I need. otherwise I just assume go it alone!
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