Different people use sailboats in different ways. The H216 with its swing keel and a swim ladder installed proves to be an effective jumping platform.
"TOB" (toddler overboard) ;)
- Thread starter Jeff Prideaux
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Nice shot
The look on his face says it all. His body position suggests he might continue to fly. ;D
The look on his face says it all. His body position suggests he might continue to fly. ;D
Mine actually did fall OB
He was about 1 at the time. We were on our way home from a days worth of fun. He was at the bow with his Mom when suddenly he fell over. It was near midnight but a quiet night. I waited till he floated by the stern where I was driving. I released the helm to my brother in law and jumped in after him. There was no time to give directions to the others on-board. The boat kept going but David and I were wondering if they were ever going to turn around. Now try to imagine a total novice at the helm trying to do a 180 to retrace their course. The boat headed off at 135 relative. I figured I would have to swim all the way home (about 2 miles)with my son in tow. In college I had been a lifeguard so the swim was not a big deal to me, but it sure would be nice to ride home instead. While I swam, David was screaming at the boat. Finally they heard him and changed course toward us. We climbed back aboard and headed home. Davids 'sound beacon' was a good locater for them to find us. David had learned to swim when he was six weeks old so being in the water with Dad was not really a worry to him. Not so his Mom, she was ... shall we say, upset. Ah well, alls that ends well. David is now a 6'6" 24 year old.
He was about 1 at the time. We were on our way home from a days worth of fun. He was at the bow with his Mom when suddenly he fell over. It was near midnight but a quiet night. I waited till he floated by the stern where I was driving. I released the helm to my brother in law and jumped in after him. There was no time to give directions to the others on-board. The boat kept going but David and I were wondering if they were ever going to turn around. Now try to imagine a total novice at the helm trying to do a 180 to retrace their course. The boat headed off at 135 relative. I figured I would have to swim all the way home (about 2 miles)with my son in tow. In college I had been a lifeguard so the swim was not a big deal to me, but it sure would be nice to ride home instead. While I swam, David was screaming at the boat. Finally they heard him and changed course toward us. We climbed back aboard and headed home. Davids 'sound beacon' was a good locater for them to find us. David had learned to swim when he was six weeks old so being in the water with Dad was not really a worry to him. Not so his Mom, she was ... shall we say, upset. Ah well, alls that ends well. David is now a 6'6" 24 year old.
Nice photo, but a word of advice.
When swimming of a drifting boat someone should always remain aboard. I cannot tell if the boat is anchored or if you took the photo from another boat but I have had to throw a horshoe sling to a swimmer as he could not gain on the boat's rate of drift. Another story made the press a couple of years back; this couple was in a power boat in the Gulf of Mexico and after going swimming decided to take a shower in the swim platform with the engines in idle but the propellers engaged. A rogue wave pushed them off the platform and all they could do was watch the boat drive away. Luckily the US Coast Guard was conducting a training flight out of Clearwater, FL and the swimmers were spotted. The spotter could not believe seeing to naked people treading water in the Gulf of Mexico. The boat was found drifting 4 days after and it had ran out of fuel. To add insult to injury they appeared in the six o'clock news.
When swimming of a drifting boat someone should always remain aboard. I cannot tell if the boat is anchored or if you took the photo from another boat but I have had to throw a horshoe sling to a swimmer as he could not gain on the boat's rate of drift. Another story made the press a couple of years back; this couple was in a power boat in the Gulf of Mexico and after going swimming decided to take a shower in the swim platform with the engines in idle but the propellers engaged. A rogue wave pushed them off the platform and all they could do was watch the boat drive away. Luckily the US Coast Guard was conducting a training flight out of Clearwater, FL and the swimmers were spotted. The spotter could not believe seeing to naked people treading water in the Gulf of Mexico. The boat was found drifting 4 days after and it had ran out of fuel. To add insult to injury they appeared in the six o'clock news.
going swimming
I never go in the water without a line connected to my wrist by a quick disconnect string (and I'm usually holding onto the line with one hand too). Because even if the boat is anchored, the current can drag me away faster then I can swim sometimes.
I never go in the water without a line connected to my wrist by a quick disconnect string (and I'm usually holding onto the line with one hand too). Because even if the boat is anchored, the current can drag me away faster then I can swim sometimes.
Bet you can't do this!!!
Hi Jeff, Another great photo! Good to see everyone in the family having a great time. Lamar
Hi Jeff, Another great photo! Good to see everyone in the family having a great time. Lamar
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