The answer is Yes: Jack lines, inflatable PFD, hand held radio and some brain power. How to get back on the boat, in my case a Cataline 30. I pondered the problem for some years and there it might be, right in back of me. I secure my stern ladder with a sailtie with just a regular bow and let it hang down to the water. Pull it,it unties, move aside so that the ladder does not hit you in the head as it comes down and up you go, most of the time.Not an advertisement but I have a Stormy Seas life vest, modified for water inflation and I wear it all of the time. It's about $300 but that's not a lot if you are in the water, the boat is on autopilot and you are waving to it as it disappears into the Atlantic Ocean !!!!!!!!!!!!
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Overboard
I single hand a lot, and after much thought my current set up is thus. I run a jack line down both sides of the boat. And clip myself into both. While this can make movement somewhat awkard, it does not allow me to go out of the boat. For some on deck jobs, it is necessary to unclip from one, but most of the time I stay hooked up to both.
I single hand a lot, and after much thought my current set up is thus. I run a jack line down both sides of the boat. And clip myself into both. While this can make movement somewhat awkard, it does not allow me to go out of the boat. For some on deck jobs, it is necessary to unclip from one, but most of the time I stay hooked up to both.
how about changing sailtie to polypropolyene rope
My compliments on your idea. On my Catalina 30, I do almost the same thing, but instead of a long sailtie, I have a 50 foot polyproplyene rope (which floats) with knots every 3-5 feet, and use it to tie a slip-knot to hold the ladder up while trailing it behind the boat. This way, should I fall overboard even in calm bay water, I have a chance to swim and grab the floating line, which will immediately release the ladder and allow me to climb back on board (and let me water ski, depending on how fast my sailboat is going -- kidding). regards...
My compliments on your idea. On my Catalina 30, I do almost the same thing, but instead of a long sailtie, I have a 50 foot polyproplyene rope (which floats) with knots every 3-5 feet, and use it to tie a slip-knot to hold the ladder up while trailing it behind the boat. This way, should I fall overboard even in calm bay water, I have a chance to swim and grab the floating line, which will immediately release the ladder and allow me to climb back on board (and let me water ski, depending on how fast my sailboat is going -- kidding). regards...
Bill, have you ever tried it?
Just curious if you (or anyone else) have ever been able to pull yourself to your boat when it was moving. I was not able to do it if the boat was moving much at all. Not to be confrontational, but I would not count on being able to do it. I was wearing a PFD like I hope to be wearing if I fall overboard but I was not wearing street clothes or rain gear like I usually wear when sailing, just a bathing suit. If you have some secret like pulling your lip over your nose, I would like to know what it is.
I have tried that too but cannot do it either. Most important note: polypropylene line is notorious for fraying and it is very likely to cut your hands up if you grab it and pull hard. Have you considered that fact? I have seen someones hands literally shredded by some idiot using polypropylene rope for a dock line.
Just curious if you (or anyone else) have ever been able to pull yourself to your boat when it was moving. I was not able to do it if the boat was moving much at all. Not to be confrontational, but I would not count on being able to do it. I was wearing a PFD like I hope to be wearing if I fall overboard but I was not wearing street clothes or rain gear like I usually wear when sailing, just a bathing suit. If you have some secret like pulling your lip over your nose, I would like to know what it is.
I have tried that too but cannot do it either. Most important note: polypropylene line is notorious for fraying and it is very likely to cut your hands up if you grab it and pull hard. Have you considered that fact? I have seen someones hands literally shredded by some idiot using polypropylene rope for a dock line.Patrick, don't spain your lip
This should only be attempted by "professionals". Actually, you have peaked my curiousity about just how difficult it is to pull yourself on a rope towards a boat that is sailing away from you at various speeds. But if I jump out of my boat at 6 knots, I'm not sure my wife would turn around to pick me up after I let go of the rope. I have to admit that in 40 degree water with boots and foul weather gear on, it's probably impossible. Is that what you guys always wear up there? I'm not going to try this until next summer. One nice thing about our lake is that you can go for a swim without turning into a popsicle in 15 seconds and there are no worries about Mr. Greysuit!
This should only be attempted by "professionals". Actually, you have peaked my curiousity about just how difficult it is to pull yourself on a rope towards a boat that is sailing away from you at various speeds. But if I jump out of my boat at 6 knots, I'm not sure my wife would turn around to pick me up after I let go of the rope.
I have to admit that in 40 degree water with boots and foul weather gear on, it's probably impossible. Is that what you guys always wear up there? I'm not going to try this until next summer. One nice thing about our lake is that you can go for a swim without turning into a popsicle in 15 seconds and there are no worries about Mr. Greysuit!- Status