Crew Overboard Poles

sailjunkie · #1 (**permalink**) 04-01-2010

We are thinking about installing one on our recently purchased Mirae 29'.

The cost isn't bad at all, but I am wondering how many people use them; and how useful you find them? I have my on thoughts on this, but would really like to hear from others.

Thanks in advance!

tommays · #2 (**permalink**) 04-01-2010

Well

We have it because of race rules on the big boat and i even made a small one to keep on the J24 when i finish races after dark

IMHP it does two things

1. Lets the overboard person find the life ring

2. Lets the boat find the strobe and hope like hell the person has found it because in 45 seconds in the dark you sure as heck not finding anybody

dave6330 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-01-2010

Just my two cents worth...they're kinda like the lifesling you MIGHT have or the fire extinguishers and throwable floats you're SUPPOSED to have...most of us have not (thank God) had to use them but MOST of us wouldn't go our without 'em. I don't think the question is how usefull we found them but how usefull we think they might be if we ever needed them...

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 04-01-2010

Provided you have the MOB pole setup to launch immediately, it can be a very, very good thing to have, especially at night. A better choice is to have jacklines, harnesses and tethers, and to use them at night, in bad weather and when singlehanding. It is really a much better idea to stay ON THE BOAT.

Architeuthis · #5 (**permalink**) 04-01-2010

These things create a moral hazard. If people think they might be rescued they might not hold on as tight. Our ship rule has all crew overboard to be abandoned, or shot. It has resulted in some recruitment problems but so far no one has fallen overboard since the new rule was put in place so it must work.

Just jokes. Many years ago we practiced with one. I found it difficult to deploy but I'm sure that could be fixed with some work. Stowing it properly is easier on some boats than others. That flag sure is easy to find after taking your eye off it but in the end decided against it. Too hard to set up on our boat and too difficult to deploy and we are addressing the issues that might result in a crew overboard.