What's been your most stressful moment sailing? A knockdown? A fire on board? Running aground? Dragging anchor at night? A man overboard? A collision with another boat? Getting lost? What happened? How did you handle it? How has it affected your attitide toward sailing and changed the way you approached things? Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
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Greg S2
Moving over land...
Short and sweet. well managed from start to finish but I was a nervous wreak.
Short and sweet. well managed from start to finish but I was a nervous wreak.
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Rob
Hard Aground
First night we took out the "new" boat was 3rd of July last year. Watched fireworks, but ran hard aground coming out of anchorage (in the most unusual place). Had stumps on either side of the keel, and no dingy to take out an anchor for kedging. We are on an inland lake, so there are no tides. To make matters worse, the lake level was dropping, so leaving the boat in place over night was not an option as the lake level could be up to an inch or two lower the next day. Luckily the previous owner was aboard, and able to help out. Solution: We raised the sail (c27 tall rig) and rocked the boat over, and then slowly slid off of the mud bar. We were stuck for 45 of the longest minutes of my sailing career. However, I learned a lot, and am glad about how everything turned out (in retrospect). Best Regards, Rob
First night we took out the "new" boat was 3rd of July last year. Watched fireworks, but ran hard aground coming out of anchorage (in the most unusual place). Had stumps on either side of the keel, and no dingy to take out an anchor for kedging. We are on an inland lake, so there are no tides. To make matters worse, the lake level was dropping, so leaving the boat in place over night was not an option as the lake level could be up to an inch or two lower the next day. Luckily the previous owner was aboard, and able to help out. Solution: We raised the sail (c27 tall rig) and rocked the boat over, and then slowly slid off of the mud bar. We were stuck for 45 of the longest minutes of my sailing career. However, I learned a lot, and am glad about how everything turned out (in retrospect). Best Regards, Rob
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R.W.Landau
Trip from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami
It was 1977 in October. Weather was not big of a concern. My dad (74 at the time ) and I left Ft. Lauderdale late one evening. It was a 32' Allied Seawind II, noted for it's seaworthyness.Well we had approx. 4 to 8 foot seas and a wind gusting to approx. 35 to 40. We had the wind out of the south south east, so it was pretty much a close haul. The gusts were severe enough that in the mixed seas ( storms in three different directions. wave were very mixed up.) we decide to motor with just a sliver of jib to help stabilize the rolling. About 10:00 pm the tach quite. Dad headed below to check it out. After about 5 minutes he said "look". I went below to see water approching the cabin floor. In the Allied Seawind II, the bilge is a full arms length deep. Dad handed me the handle for the manual bilge pump. I started pumping like a flogging sail. After about 30 minutes I rethought our situation. I was exhausting myself trying to clear the bilge. Watching my dad (again at 74) he was tiring quickly.My concern grew to a rescue effort. I was very concerned that I had my dad's life in my hands and that we my end up in the water. Dad came up from the cabin to the cockpit and emptied the life raft and all the other stuff from the cockpit storage. I finally asked, "dad, what is our situation?" He responded" the main bilge pump isn't working. The manually switched electric bilge pump is not working either. Your manual pumping is lowering the water level in the bilge but I would like a safeguard. I am going to switch the shower pump to the bilge hose. If we start losing ground with the water we will call a mayday." Approx. 20 minutes pasted. I had made some more headway on the bilge level and dad had switched over the shower sump pump to the bilge drain. We turned the pump on and it pumped for about 2 minutes. The pump froze. That was three pumps not working. ( a note here , Dad had change the manual electric bilge pump and the shower sump pump a month ago!) We were alittle more than half way between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami and decided that the shaft packing was the culprit. The 2 minutes of electric pump was a relief and gave us confidence that the manual pump was going to get us to Miami. Just about that time A US Coast Guard cutter went by about 2 miles out from our 5 miles out position. Things started calming down and Dad laid down in the cockpit and slept for the rest of the trip to Miami. We took a spot for the night at the Miami fuel dock. We worked until 3:30 am on the pumps and packing gland. For your info, the pump impellers were bound to tightly in the pump housing. We took the gaskets out of one and put them in the other one and the pump worked fine. The main bilge pump had completely burned out. We also tightened the packing gland with success for the rest of the trip. In the morning we used the local marine store and bought two sets of gaskets for the other pump. All in all, that was one of the more memorable trips! The tougher they are the more memorable they are. Learn to improvise! Have things to improvise with. It helps! r.w.landau
It was 1977 in October. Weather was not big of a concern. My dad (74 at the time ) and I left Ft. Lauderdale late one evening. It was a 32' Allied Seawind II, noted for it's seaworthyness.Well we had approx. 4 to 8 foot seas and a wind gusting to approx. 35 to 40. We had the wind out of the south south east, so it was pretty much a close haul. The gusts were severe enough that in the mixed seas ( storms in three different directions. wave were very mixed up.) we decide to motor with just a sliver of jib to help stabilize the rolling. About 10:00 pm the tach quite. Dad headed below to check it out. After about 5 minutes he said "look". I went below to see water approching the cabin floor. In the Allied Seawind II, the bilge is a full arms length deep. Dad handed me the handle for the manual bilge pump. I started pumping like a flogging sail. After about 30 minutes I rethought our situation. I was exhausting myself trying to clear the bilge. Watching my dad (again at 74) he was tiring quickly.My concern grew to a rescue effort. I was very concerned that I had my dad's life in my hands and that we my end up in the water. Dad came up from the cabin to the cockpit and emptied the life raft and all the other stuff from the cockpit storage. I finally asked, "dad, what is our situation?" He responded" the main bilge pump isn't working. The manually switched electric bilge pump is not working either. Your manual pumping is lowering the water level in the bilge but I would like a safeguard. I am going to switch the shower pump to the bilge hose. If we start losing ground with the water we will call a mayday." Approx. 20 minutes pasted. I had made some more headway on the bilge level and dad had switched over the shower sump pump to the bilge drain. We turned the pump on and it pumped for about 2 minutes. The pump froze. That was three pumps not working. ( a note here , Dad had change the manual electric bilge pump and the shower sump pump a month ago!) We were alittle more than half way between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami and decided that the shaft packing was the culprit. The 2 minutes of electric pump was a relief and gave us confidence that the manual pump was going to get us to Miami. Just about that time A US Coast Guard cutter went by about 2 miles out from our 5 miles out position. Things started calming down and Dad laid down in the cockpit and slept for the rest of the trip to Miami. We took a spot for the night at the Miami fuel dock. We worked until 3:30 am on the pumps and packing gland. For your info, the pump impellers were bound to tightly in the pump housing. We took the gaskets out of one and put them in the other one and the pump worked fine. The main bilge pump had completely burned out. We also tightened the packing gland with success for the rest of the trip. In the morning we used the local marine store and bought two sets of gaskets for the other pump. All in all, that was one of the more memorable trips! The tougher they are the more memorable they are. Learn to improvise! Have things to improvise with. It helps! r.w.landau
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Jim McCue
Thanks R.W.,
I'm getting a secondary pump.. even though I'm an inland waterway/bay sailor. You're lucky your dad didn't get a heart attack! Jim McCue
I'm getting a secondary pump.. even though I'm an inland waterway/bay sailor. You're lucky your dad didn't get a heart attack! Jim McCue
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Larry W.
Northbound off Baja, heading for Ensenada, wind 25kts on the nose, seas 8ft, cloudy, misty, no visibility. Motoring into it. Alternator stops working, batteries go down, radar kaput, chartplotter kaput. Engine panel guages not working, no fuel or temp gauges. Autopilot quits. Low on fuel. Trying to make a night approach to the southern entrance, 2.5 miles wide, according to all the best info. Can't reconcile lighthouses, 3 of them, with chart info. Use a handheld GPS and paper charts, creep ahead, watching the lighthouses slowly move aft, find our way into the harbor, drop anchor right off Baja Naval. I had a severe stomach ache, brought on by nerves, that took a liter of ginger ale and whole packet of crackers to moderate. There were others on that trip to Mexico; on deck at night, wind 25kts, trying to bring the flogging genoa down when the furling drum jammed, twice. Engine quitting in the middle of the entrance to Turtle Bay, also twice, and a host of others, but I'm still sailing and still want to go back to Mexico. Someone once said "That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger." I believe it.
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Bryan C.
Seeing water over cockpit sole
During a trip to Bimini was a buddy, we were about 2 miles from Bimini, went down to get the sail ties and saw water sloshing over the cabin sole. Fortunately I was able to locate the source quickly -- a hose had broken on the seacock in the lazerette, and I was able to close it. That is when I learned the bilge pump was not working Had I know that I would have really stressed! I had no manual pump or spare, when I got back I bought a Rule 3600 and put leads on it I can connect directly to the batter, and a manual pump as well. Moral: know where your seacocks are, make sure they work, carry spare pump.
During a trip to Bimini was a buddy, we were about 2 miles from Bimini, went down to get the sail ties and saw water sloshing over the cabin sole. Fortunately I was able to locate the source quickly -- a hose had broken on the seacock in the lazerette, and I was able to close it. That is when I learned the bilge pump was not working Had I know that I would have really stressed! I had no manual pump or spare, when I got back I bought a Rule 3600 and put leads on it I can connect directly to the batter, and a manual pump as well. Moral: know where your seacocks are, make sure they work, carry spare pump.
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LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners
Fright
On the trip with my folks, the scariest "moment" was actually an entire night. We anchored in a roadstead anchorage in Punta Baja (on the way down Baja coast). The forecast called for SWerlies and the bay was protected in that direction (it could have been NW - it's been awhile!) so we felt pretty secure. It was a tad rolly so Dad decided to throw out a stern anchor. It helped until things switched around to the only direction this bay was NOT protected from. Long story short, we spent a terrifying night rolling and jerking from foreward anchor to stern anchor, trying to keep the rode from wrapping around the prop. I thought we were going to end up on the rocks for sure! In retrospect, he should have just cut the stern anchor but my Dad is monumental cheapsk...uh, let's just say he's careful with his money! There were plenty of storms on that trip but that night at anchor was the worst. In my boat on the relatively placid Columbia River, the scariest moment was when I lost my lower shroud. I was lucky and the fear passed quickly. LaDonna
On the trip with my folks, the scariest "moment" was actually an entire night. We anchored in a roadstead anchorage in Punta Baja (on the way down Baja coast). The forecast called for SWerlies and the bay was protected in that direction (it could have been NW - it's been awhile!) so we felt pretty secure. It was a tad rolly so Dad decided to throw out a stern anchor. It helped until things switched around to the only direction this bay was NOT protected from. Long story short, we spent a terrifying night rolling and jerking from foreward anchor to stern anchor, trying to keep the rode from wrapping around the prop. I thought we were going to end up on the rocks for sure! In retrospect, he should have just cut the stern anchor but my Dad is monumental cheapsk...uh, let's just say he's careful with his money! There were plenty of storms on that trip but that night at anchor was the worst. In my boat on the relatively placid Columbia River, the scariest moment was when I lost my lower shroud. I was lucky and the fear passed quickly. LaDonna
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DAVE
that's easy
my biggest frustration is the coast guard and lack of intercoastal waterway markings! i planned a 60 mile trip for over a month and called and emailed everyone then half way all marking disappeared and i ran aground. when i finally got home i wrote my senator and CG responded itvbwas sailorrs responsibiltiy not theirs ! BS!!!
my biggest frustration is the coast guard and lack of intercoastal waterway markings! i planned a 60 mile trip for over a month and called and emailed everyone then half way all marking disappeared and i ran aground. when i finally got home i wrote my senator and CG responded itvbwas sailorrs responsibiltiy not theirs ! BS!!!
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Rick Webb
Is'nt the ICW Marked by the Corps of Engineers
Maybe I remember it wrong the Coast Guard surveys the Markers but the corpd maintains them I thought.
Maybe I remember it wrong the Coast Guard surveys the Markers but the corpd maintains them I thought.
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Stephen Howard-Brown
Anchor Stress.
The 260 Hunter is a light boat,and so takes the wind easily.In the Ionian,the winds can be very strong,I have had much trouble anchoring there until now.I used to use a 7.5kg Bruce 8 metres of chain,which was useless in a Force 8. Now I've solved this problem by using a 15kg Bruce 25 metres of heavy chain linked to 25 metres of anchorplat rope. I also have on board 4 extra anchors,a Fortress 7, a Fishermans 8kg,a Danforth(supplied with the boat), and a Halls anchor 8kg.ForANCHORING stern-to I put out the Fortress 7 20 metres of chain.Similarly,for bows-to,I use the Bruce chain.I keep the heavy anchors down below in the central locker to help increase the ballast weight below. So the only way to avoid the stress of worrying about your anchor dragging with the 260,is go heavy all the time.I also scuba dive down and physically push in my anchors by hand and dig them well in.
The 260 Hunter is a light boat,and so takes the wind easily.In the Ionian,the winds can be very strong,I have had much trouble anchoring there until now.I used to use a 7.5kg Bruce 8 metres of chain,which was useless in a Force 8. Now I've solved this problem by using a 15kg Bruce 25 metres of heavy chain linked to 25 metres of anchorplat rope. I also have on board 4 extra anchors,a Fortress 7, a Fishermans 8kg,a Danforth(supplied with the boat), and a Halls anchor 8kg.ForANCHORING stern-to I put out the Fortress 7 20 metres of chain.Similarly,for bows-to,I use the Bruce chain.I keep the heavy anchors down below in the central locker to help increase the ballast weight below. So the only way to avoid the stress of worrying about your anchor dragging with the 260,is go heavy all the time.I also scuba dive down and physically push in my anchors by hand and dig them well in.
S
Stephen Howard-Brown
Anchor Stress.
The 260 Hunter is a light boat,and so takes the wind easily.In the Ionian,the winds can be very strong,I have had much trouble anchoring there until now.I used to use a 7.5kg Bruce 8 metres of chain,which was useless in a Force 8. Now I've solved this problem by using a 15kg Bruce 25 metres of heavy chain linked to 25 metres of anchorplat rope. I also have on board 4 extra anchors,a Fortress 7, a Fishermans 8kg,a Danforth(supplied with the boat), and a Halls anchor 8kg.ForANCHORING stern-to I put out the Fortress 7 20 metres of chain.Similarly,for bows-to,I use the Bruce chain.I keep the heavy anchors down below in the central locker to help increase the ballast weight below. So the only way to avoid the stress of worrying about your anchor dragging with the 260,is go heavy all the time.I also scuba dive down and physically push in my anchors by hand and dig them well in.I also add an anchor 'chum' by lowering down the main anchor rope,the Halls anchor linked to the rope by a large shackle,the Halls is held on a separate line which allows me to pull it up before I pull up the main anchor .This combination helps to keep the main anchor on a horizontal pull over the sea bed and also reduces the shearing about in heavy gusts.
The 260 Hunter is a light boat,and so takes the wind easily.In the Ionian,the winds can be very strong,I have had much trouble anchoring there until now.I used to use a 7.5kg Bruce 8 metres of chain,which was useless in a Force 8. Now I've solved this problem by using a 15kg Bruce 25 metres of heavy chain linked to 25 metres of anchorplat rope. I also have on board 4 extra anchors,a Fortress 7, a Fishermans 8kg,a Danforth(supplied with the boat), and a Halls anchor 8kg.ForANCHORING stern-to I put out the Fortress 7 20 metres of chain.Similarly,for bows-to,I use the Bruce chain.I keep the heavy anchors down below in the central locker to help increase the ballast weight below. So the only way to avoid the stress of worrying about your anchor dragging with the 260,is go heavy all the time.I also scuba dive down and physically push in my anchors by hand and dig them well in.I also add an anchor 'chum' by lowering down the main anchor rope,the Halls anchor linked to the rope by a large shackle,the Halls is held on a separate line which allows me to pull it up before I pull up the main anchor .This combination helps to keep the main anchor on a horizontal pull over the sea bed and also reduces the shearing about in heavy gusts.
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