Reality at Sea - For Cruisers, Singlehanders, and Normal People. - Page 3

chrisncate · #21 (**permalink**) 01-10-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandLocked66c

Drake posts here... He also posted on Sailboat owners that after he made it to bermuda he was forced to limp back to the US for repairs. His bowsprit and other stuff up front was all FUBARED... But he met a lady and will be taking her along, so good things did happen in the end...

He seemed like a pretty cool personality in the vids, hopefully he reads this and chimes in. Gotta love the Drake?

smackdaddy · #22 (**permalink**) 01-10-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandLocked66c

Drake posts here... He also posted on Sailboat owners that after he made it to bermuda he was forced to limp back to the US for repairs. His bowsprit and other stuff up front was all FUBARED... But he met a lady and will be taking her along, so good things did happen in the end...

I hope he comes on at some point. I'll definitely give him a fist bump. These are great videos.

As for the exhaustion - the most I've done straight thus far is 3 days - but with a crew of 6 (all hand-steering though in a race, no AP). His puffy-eyed zombie look in video six is definitely familiar. I really didn't find it hard to keep going while we were doing it - but I was completely spent afterward. It surprised me.

I can't imagine 7 days singlehanding in stuff like that. Of course he made some less than perfect decisions. Scary stuff. But he made good ones when they counted.

neverknow · #23 (**permalink**) 01-10-2012

Ok I watched them all and I'm thinking (keep in mind I'm a non sailor for now anyway)

Ever heard of a ditch bag, Sat phone, SSB, shake down cruise. Neither boat sounded prepared for a trip like this. Makes me think that after yrs of island hopping and coastal cruising they thought why not head out to Bermuda???

neverknow · #24 (**permalink**) 01-10-2012

I have a question for everyone here.

At what point does a skipper decide to "NOT" tow another vessel? In this case we had a 42 ft boat with a solo sailor being asked to tow a 52 ft boat that is completely disabled.

Would Drake been within his rights to refuse to tow them? I would have probably been more than worried. Another concern at least for us parodied ppl is what if the crew 3 strong took your boat over. Pirates?? You are in the middle of the ocean. They could throw your ass over board and claim they found your boat drifting.

If I were Drake once the first freighter showed up I would have stop the tow and told them to take a ride on the big ship. Putting my ship at risk to save CHA CHA's POS would not happen. Saving the crew is one thing saving his boat is another. Like one poster already said CHA CHA was broken and broke. What did he plan to do to fix his boat anyway with no money.

chrisncate · #25 (**permalink**) 01-10-2012

I couldn't imagine he was under obligation to tow them (specially after the freighter showed up and they refused to leave their vessel), but I don't know.

Jackdale would know I bet. Jack?

neverknow · #26 (**permalink**) 01-10-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisncate

I couldn't imagine he was under obligation to tow them (specially after the freighter showed up and they refused to leave their vessel), but I don't know.

Jackdale would know I bet. Jack?

I guess I'm thinking Drake has already had some problems of his own. He was only a broken engine before he would find himself screwed too.

jackdale · #27 (**permalink**) 01-10-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisncate

I couldn't imagine he was under obligation to tow them (specially after the freighter showed up and they refused to leave their vessel), but I don't know.

Jackdale would know I bet. Jack?

The requirement is to render assistance, without endangering your own crew / vessel. He had enough fuel to tow I presume.

I have not yet watched all of the videos - tomorrow's to do list.

Disclaimer - I am not a lawyer; I just get all legalistic sometimes.

neverknow · #28 (**permalink**) 01-11-2012

I have towed boats on Lake Michigan a few times. But they were only a few miles from port and the conditions were perfect. I could not imagine 150 miles on the open ocean, towing a boat with the rudder locked to one side. Than the guy refuses to pay for any damage or extra fuel cost. Give me a break.

chrisncate · #29 (**permalink**) 01-11-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackdale

The requirement is to render assistance, without endangering your own crew / vessel. He had enough fuel to tow I presume.

Disclaimer - I am not a lawyer; I just get all legalistic sometimes.

Lot of grey area there I bet...

And don't be bashful Jack, your knowledge base is impressive...

JedNeck · #30 (**permalink**) 01-11-2012

Drake is sort of a hero to me after watching that...

He survived by his wits...kept his head and stayed calm...saved some people lives and their boat.

A new windvane toy that was on the fritz is hardly a reason to condem his decision to go for it.