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Scary night sail

9K views 57 replies 25 participants last post by  davidpm 
#1 · (Edited)
As I proof read this is it long and boring.
But I wrote it so might as well post it. You have been warned.

I thought you ladies and gentleman will enjoy my little story from last night.
For the last few years I’ve been volunteering as a skipper for a local organization that takes out handicap people in their three boats (sailctaccess.org). Charles one of the volunteers and members has been a regular for several years. Charles has a pretty good job but is in a wheel chair. He cannot use his legs at all as far as I can tell but his arms are pretty strong and he can maneuver himself it just takes some time.

Last year he got it into his head that he wanted his own boat. He went shopping and settled on this Allmand 31. It had been neglected on the hard and was yard owned. It needed a lot of work and I told him point blank to not buy the boat. But he did and as expected there were unexpected expenses the most notable being that the fuel tank sprung a leak on the hard and had to be replaced. There were the normal issues with the yard with the engine, and electrical and getting rid of the fuel oil smell.

There were issues with insurance not letting him leave the dock until everything was fixed. Charles will be the first to tell you he knows very little about boating but he really wanted his own boat.

So miracle of miracles he got is boat in the water just a couple weeks ago and some friends from the Power Squadron took him out a couple times and even ran him into a rock. But considering a years’ worth of frustration and more money than he had to spend he was a little bummed.

He asked me if I would take him and his wife out last night.
Last night at 4PM I get there and my crew is Charles, his wife and daughter. His wife has several medical issues and while she can walk it takes her a very long time. In fact one either of the sits down even moving a foot or two one way or the other on the seat can take a little doing. At first I thought I could use the daughter as crew but since she is brand new to boating and had some mobility issues I could not count on her to react quickly either.

We were waiting for another crew member, a cousin I believe so I figured I had some time to kill so we took a look at the motor.

It took quite a long time to start it. It seemed like the sometimes the starter would get juice and sometimes not. Other times it would spin but not start. He said it was like that. Finally we got it started. Then I experimented with the throttle and shift. The throttle did not have a defined idle. Too far back and the motor stops, very touchy. The shifter did not have a clear neutral, very touchy too.

I figured I would be fending off and walking the boat out and Charles would be on the helm. I couldn't be at both ends of the boat at once. Charles had never touched the controls before. So we spend about 40 minutes at the dock practicing putting it in gear and giving it throttle then idle then neutral. At first every time he put it in gear and the dock lines snapped his wife excitedly urged caution. I had to reassure her that I was watching things so she would keep quiet so Charles could work calmly.

Finally the cousin arrives. I find out that he has very bad knees. He can walk but he can’t put all his weight on one leg quickly. In other words he can’t get on or off the boat unless it is tied up.

All this time I’m thinking of how I’m going to get the boat out. As you can see if the boat backs out it has to turn to port which of course the prop work is not going to like. I was thinking of just backing down the fairway but the wind was directly behind the boat at right angles to the fair way and this boat has a full keel and I didn't know how it would back.

All this time I’m trying to figure out if can I handle this boat with a crew that has very limited abilities, and no experience, on a boat where I don't trust the motor and I don't know how it handles. I am truly hoping the engine will stop so I don't’ have to decide.

Finally I decide to go for it. The conditions were perfect. Very light wind about 5 knots and no current. If I wasn't going to go in those conditions I might as well give up boating. I would have liked one able bodied even minimal experienced person but I had what I had.

My idea was to push the boat out by hand and see which way it wanted to go then hop on and make sure the bow cleared the pole and then pick either forward or reverse depending on what the wind did that moment.
It worked perfectly. I pushed it out and after clearing the pole we were positioned to just put it in forward and go. Charles put it in gear and nothing much happened so he gave it a little throttle and we were on our way.

That’s when Charles found out he needs a little modification to the helm seat. He can't see over the bow so I was lookout until we got past the channel.

Before we put up the sails I took the helm in open water and tried to get a feel for how fast the boat responded to steering controls.

During this time we get a little close to buoy 6. This buoy marks a string of rocks coming from Duck Island (we are in the Westbrook CT harbor). I know we have good water there I have been there a hundred times and have my hand held chart plotter for verification.

But I tell Charles to go ahead and head east to make sure we are in obviously clear water. He is more than a little nervous about this area because another .3 miles east there is a peninsula that has some rocks off its shore that he hit on one of his two prior excursions with the power squadron guys. So don't know what damage there is to the keel.

I put up the sails and after a few minutes we caught some air and were sailing at four knots on a perfectly calm sea.

We didn't leave until five so it was about seven when I’m thinking we should start heading back as I didn't like the idea of trying to dock in the dark.

Then I find out that the whole purpose of going out last night was to see the blue moon. So I’m thinking of how I’m going to dock that boat by myself and now I find out I'm supposed to do it in the dark too.

Everyone seemed to be so excited about the moon and it is only a few minutes later than what I planned. The darkness idea I did not plan however.

So we tack and are heading back, Charles is on the helm and I go below to get flashlights, figure out navigation lights and dock lines etc. By the time I get on deck I see we are in line with Buoy 6 again. I ask what we are doing here. He said he was worried about the rock on the east side.

I tell him I’m more worried about the rocks 100 yards to our west that the current and east wind was taking us towards than the rocks a half mile away. So we try to start the engine. Not even a click. Then after a few minutes it seems to click then all of a sudden it starts. I had maybe another couple minutes before I had to go for the anchor which I saw existed but didn’t know its status.

So we hang out for about half an hour see the moon then start to head in. Only now there are 20+ boats ahead of us. Apparently the weds night race folks figured they might as well see the moon too. Of course Charlie doesn't know where the channel is and can’t see the traffic so I take the helm.

I've done this channel dozens of times in the dark so the only issue is the heavy traffic. The slip however is new to me and we can’t see the fairway letters on the poles. I need to buy that battery torch. Fortunately Charlie’s wife has really good eyes and makes out row “N”. We make our turn and it is clear that I pretty much have to do this by myself.

While we were waiting for the moon I was trying to figure out how to dock. I figured that the expensive powerboat on our starboard was the enemy. I had no one that could fend for me so I figured I would favor the port side pole. A scratch of two on Charlie’s boat would match the ones he already has. I figured I would put the port side of the boat at about 45 degrees to the dock connected to the pole, stop the boat, step off with the bow spring and swing the boat in manually around the pole. I would have someone on deck throw me the stern line and all would be good.

Only problem was that their stern line was only 6 feet long. There were no extra dock lines on the boat but I found a long line connected to a couple blocks, probably a boom vang that I cut the knot off of to use for a stern line.

That was the plan and it worked perfectly. No one was more surprised than me.

had a great time and I pushed my boundaries just a little

Frankly Charlie is an inspiration. He is not letting a significant handicap or limited funds prevent him from doing what he wants to do.

He was thrilled that he was able to get the boat out with him at the helm and that he was able to steer under sail. He needs a little help but he had a great sail.

I would never have bought the boat he did but he pulled it off.

To my mind his most significant lapse in judgment is his apparent complete confidence in me.

If something went wrong there would have been all kinds of legitimate comments about have going out was a bad idea. I’m glad I got lucky. I’m not sure Charlie knows how lucky he was.
 

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#3 ·
Wonderful story.. scary yes, but wonderful too. I bet you really made their night, possibly their year.

Being Handicapped should not stop anybody from sailing. If he can spare the funds to run all the lines to the cockpit and set up an autohelm, he should be good to go
 
#6 · (Edited)
That was has original plan. From a practical point of view I doubt if it matters.
Until I had last nights experience I really didn't understand the delays certain disabilities cause.

Neither Charlie or his wife can just slide over in their seat a couple feet to make room for someone else to reach gear they are in the way of.

That slide alone can take a while while he positions his feet with his hands then moves his body with his hands. It takes time especially when each step may only move him six inches. There is no way I can think of to modify the boat to run all lines to behind the wheel. Even if this was done I don't seem him being fast enough to switch from one side to the other.

Even with a bow thruster and an easy to maneuver boat what would hold the boat in place until the lines were run?
I'm sure with unlimited funds and engineering something could be rigged up. But then if something went wrong what would he do?

I think he is going to make a lot of friends. Hopefully they will have more skills than I.

But what do I know. I never expected him to even get the boat in the water. He was sanding the bottom from his wheelchair in the winter.
 
#8 ·
David
Great story. Glad you went for it and got them out there, it was a beautiful night. I was racing there, so was probably in the parade with you.
My brother and I sailed with you a couple yrs ago on Bene's boat (new yr day).
I'm around if you would like some experienced crew with you next5 time you take them out. PM me or I think you may have my number.

Good Job

Peter R Carey
 
#14 · (Edited)
Thanks

While I'm enjoying everyone's appreciation to be truthful the reason I did it was probably only 10 to 20 percent altruistic. Yes I had the keys to a half dozen other boats I could have sailed that night. This particular opportunity was different however and a little challenging but not too challenging.

I can't honestly say I did it primarily for Charlie's benefit. Like you said it looks like it worked out great for him so that's an added benefit.

The reason I posted this story is not to recount a good deed because as I've said I had my own reasons for doing it.

I had two reasons to post it.
1. I am awed and humbled by Charlie's perseverance, patience and courage.
2. As you said it could have not worked out so well. If somthing went wrong it would have been easy for someone to point out why I should have done things differently. So I guess I wanted to post a story where folks pushed the boundaries a little and got away with it.

So often on SailNet people post stories where something goes wrong and a lot of us berate the person for perceived failings. That is good too of course we all learn for other peoples mistakes. I thought though it was neat to be able to post a story where a little risk was taken and it all worked out.

In truth the risk was mostly in my mind. It was perfect weather and seatow is in our marina so help was 10 minutes away. The real risk was to my ego and maybe a little fiberglass or gel coat.

I was mostly worried about doing something that would get his insurance canceled.
 
#11 ·
David
I forgot to mention this , but when looking at the pictures do you think that it might be an easier docking if Charlie was to see if he could swap spots with the power boat. That way you could come a long side the long main dock first before getting into the slip.
Just a thought

Peter
 
#13 · (Edited)
Yes coming in would be easier but I'm thinking that getting out might still be a little tricky if their is a cross wind.

He is trying to get a t end slip
 
#16 ·
Great story. So glad you did share it. It put a smile on my face.

It really reminded me on a simple level what joy and fun boats, sailing and the water can bring to people.

I am glad you are honest enough to post an account where maybe you took some risks some of which your not sure about, and where stuff happened that didn't follow the textbook.

I have done silly things, all sailors have, sometimes with good reasons sometimes without.

Refreshing to see genuineness and honesty on Sailnet, without lecturing and tut-tutting.
 
#17 ·
When I first signed onto this site, I got a lot of flak for being un-educated, un-prepared, and taking unnecessary risks. Some of those people who tsk'd me have moved on.

Unfortunately, it seems that same Sailnet Nanny-ism has been beaten into my brain, because I found myself "tsk'ing" you for setting out with physically challenged passengers, no able-bodied crew, on a questionable boat, at night. That was wrong of me.

I'm not going to cluck my tounge at you. You did it successfully, conditions were benign, you are familiar with the area (at night too), Seatow was close by.

I kind of feel like your friend put you in a compromising position though.
One by one, people showed up that you were expecting to be able-bodied, and it turns out that they really weren't. The boat's systems are questionable. Your friend is the owner, but he put you in the position of "skipper", which is the position of supreme responsibility.

Continue to help your friend, but insist that the boat be a little better prepared in the future, if he wants your assistance:

Engine in reliable working order.
Anchor ready to deploy.
Helm station equipped so that the owner can drive and SEE where he's going.
Navigation lights in working order.
VHF in working order? (or bring your own hand-held unit)

I singlehand my 30 footer most of the time, so you should be able to handle his boat little to no help, IF the systems are in good working order. I admit that an Allmand 31 is a couple thousand pounds heavier though, so you'll have to work harder than I do. :D

Anyway, good on ya for getting them out.
I, myself will be racing in the CRAB regatta this weekend:
CRAB
 
#19 ·
Great story, thank you for sharing. Love the happy ending! :)
I remember taking my 'big' boat out with my kids. They were pretty small but I gave them each a very specific task to do on the boat. It was somewhat useful to me but it was also very important to them - they did not feel like passengers, but like a crew. They have great memories from those sailing days. If I was to comment on your trip, that is what I would have done differently - give all these folks something 'important' to do.
 
#20 ·
Great advice.
The shortage was in my telling of the story.

The father was at the helm
The daughter was positioned to throw me the stern line.
The Cousin was tailing and doing lazy sheet etc.
The wife was lookout and did a good job.

I totally agree I let people help as much as they are able.
 
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#22 ·
Sometimes all you can do is go for it. While I agree with Bubble that Charles put you in a tough spot, in the end you were right, the boat was OK for your purposes. You helped Charles learn more about the boat's shortcomings and what needs to be addressed, and that is invaluable. More importantly, you helped him prove that his ultimate goal is possible. Maybe not yet, but soon.

I like the extra steps that were in the cabin. Did Charles make them himself? Is he able to get in and out OK? One big advantage of the Allmands is the way the cockpit is laid out. It seems like the port-side seat would be perfect for his wife because she could be positioned out of the way while still being "in the mix". I wonder if he wouldn't benefit from removing the aft locker and setting it up so his wheelchair could go there. Maybe a few changes to the angles on the seats near the wheel, too, this way he can get in and out faster while in the chair. A forward-looking camera mounted either on the bow or in front of the traveler would give him the visibility he needs.

Was the main halyard run back to the cockpit?
 
#24 ·
I like the extra steps that were in the cabin. Did Charles make them himself? Is he able to get in and out OK? One big advantage of the Allmands is the way the cockpit is laid out. It seems like the port-side seat would be perfect for his wife because she could be positioned out of the way while still being "in the mix". I wonder if he wouldn't benefit from removing the aft locker and setting it up so his wheelchair could go there. Maybe a few changes to the angles on the seats near the wheel, too, this way he can get in and out faster while in the chair. A forward-looking camera mounted either on the bow or in front of the traveler would give him the visibility he needs.

Was the main halyard run back to the cockpit?
Lot of good ideas hear I will tell him about.

He already mentioned a scissors chair but I didn't think about removing the aft locker.
Forward camera. yes of course.
 
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#23 ·
had a great time and I pushed my boundaries just a little
When I'm scared or nervous in a situation, I am always trying to figure out if I need a little courage to push my boundaries, or if I'm in over my head.

Pushing boundaries safely helps one grow as a sailor. Playing it safe ALL the time hobbles us.

Nice story. A appreciated the details. I also appreciated the warning at the beginning. It allowed me to empty my bladder and refresh my beer before reading. ;)

MedSailor
 
#25 ·
It's more fun pushing the boundaries too!!
And sometimes it is inevitable we will goof up.
 
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#26 ·
Thought you guys might like to hear the latest installment. I just got off the phone with Charlie.

Last weekend the Power squadron had a little rally between CT and Mattituck LI across the sound.

I didn't go so Charlie got a Power Squadron Guy (PSG) to skipper.

They got a really late start but got out of the slip ok and decided to fuel up on the way out.
The fuel dock is port side parallel to the channel on the way out.

PSG was steering and noticed a large fast powerboat heading in aiming for the fuel dock also. He decided to back off and let the power boat go first. After putting the boat in reverse the stern kicked to the port then the engine stopped. Remember how I said the throttle was very sensitive and idle and off were hard to distinguish.

They were blown into the docked boats and were fending off by hand. Charlie got his had between the boats and broke it. They got towed out by the marina guys and got fuel they exchange insurance info with the two boats they hit.
By then the engine started and they decided to continue.
By the time they made the Mattituck inlet it was dark. They shortly grounded and called for sea tow.
A short time later the tide floated them off and they went a little further then grounded again.
A little later they floated off again and finally made their slip.
On the way back the next day Charlie noticed his hand is swelled up and he can’t close his fingers.
He goes to the doctor the next day and finds out his had had a broken bone.
Any way I’m trying to get Charlie to see that an engine that takes five minutes to restart after running for a while is not normal.
 
#27 ·
Thought you guys might like to hear the latest installment. I just got off the phone with Charlie....

...They were blown into the docked boats and were fending off by hand. Charlie got his had between the boats and broke it...

...They shortly grounded and called for sea tow...

...A short time later the tide floated them off and they went a little further then grounded again...
Perfect time for the "unlike button". :( Getting the engine fixed, and having an anchor that is rapidly deployable sound like priorities...

MedSailor
 
#31 ·
David, I'm glad your sail went without damage or injury but your skill can overcome only so much "bad luck." I think the voice in the back of my head would have been saying... this is a bad idea - abort abort :)

Granted, you have more experience than me and you were there, so your comfort level is a bit different than mine.

I'm glad he enjoyed the sail maybe with more of an able body crew, (and repairs) the next sail will be safer and more enjoyable.
 
#33 · (Edited)
Well I did it again. I was assured that the engine was working fine and would start easy, but I didn't really believe it. Last Sunday was just too perfect.

What I was really worried about was that we had up to 17 knots of wind and I knew he had never see that much wind with 3 foot waves before.

Yes I know you old salts figure that is just when things are getting good.
But I've been on boats with 6 inch seas and 4 knots of wind with people panicking and I really don't like it it.
They assured me they could take it and wanted to go out.
Getting out of the slip was a little worrisome but we had a couple guys show up to help that worked perfectly.

The engine did it's usual goofing around but once started it runs really well.
I'm very worried about stopping the engine by mistake as pulling the throttle back just a smidgen stops the engine but I think I have the feel now.

There are no reefing lines setup and the reef clew is too high for me to reach when the sail is raised so I would have to drop the sail to set a reef with dock lines.

Charlie can steer for me and start the engine. In fact he has the magic touch, I can never start the engine.
I found out he has no dock cord so his batteries are not being charged properly but for some reason battery 2 seems to be charged pretty well.
Battery 1 does not seem to be getting a charge even when the engine is running like battery 2 does.

I have to tell Charley when to turn the wheel as he is still working out the basics of sailing.

So it is still on the knife edge of go, no go.

On the one hand I'm starting to have a fondness for the boat.
On the other hand as a captain you have to take evaluate, the boat, the crew, your own capabilities, the weather and proposed route and make a decision as to go or not.

Usually it is not so hard. This one has been right on the edge both times.
The sail was about four hours and went well.
We got out of the slip with no problems as we picked up two dock hands.
The sail went well. With the wind and full main we healed a bit and everyone liked it and didn't complain.
We even got a chance to heave to. I needed the break they were fine.
The engine was difficult to start but I anticipated that and had given us plenty of room so after 10 minutes or so we were fired up.
I always take the helm on the way back as Charlie can't get high enough to have a good line of site in all directions.
The docking was a little dicey primarily because a guy on the dock offered to help.
I think he was a power boater because he held the line rather than cleating it and this boat is heavy.
But I was coming very slow and had about 10 feet to spare so he was able to turn the boat with about an inch to spare. We should have had 3 feet to spare.

I've been trying to figure out what I should have done differently. I couldn't get on the dock like I would have because he was standing in the way.
The wind was making his job harder but he should have used a cleat.
Maybe I should have told him to use a cleat or may told him to back off and let me do it.

Anyway we got close but made it.
Any other crew and they would have just fended off. So that is the disadvantage of crew with restricted mobility.

They are really and\ inspiration, just doing what they need to do regardless of mobility or or funds.
I'll start another thread about teaching issues.

Charley told me a funny story about a trip he took to the islands. He decided to rent a Skidoo. At first the operator was a little skeptical but once the got going he noticed he sold several rides to people who were just looking and trying to get their courage up.
He offered Charlie a job, figured he would be good for the business.

On the second picture I asked him to smile. It looks a little fake to me.
 

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#37 ·
It sounds like things are progressing well. The engine is more reliable, you had some able-bodied helpers (at least for part of it), and the owner is learning to sail.

Things to work on:
Find a way to elevate the helm station just a few more inches. That way, the owner can drive at all times, while you pull the strings or handle the foredeck while docking.

Maybe there's a way to adjust the throttle linkage so that you can't kill the engine by throttling down to "zero". Or maybe the idle needs to be adjusted on the engine. If the owner has the "magic touch" to start the engine, figure out what he's doing, that you aren't.

Once he really gets the feeling of the helm pinned down, and becomes a good driver, you guys will make a good team.
 
#38 ·
Maybe there's a way to adjust the throttle linkage so that you can't kill the engine by throttling down to "zero". Or maybe the idle needs to be adjusted on the engine. If the owner has the "magic touch" to start the engine, figure out what he's doing, that you aren't.
.
That's actually how you shut down my engine. You do NOT turn it off with the key.
 
#41 ·
David,

I think that it is wonderful that this all worked out for you and Charlie.

Reading your story, I can see at least 4 points where I would have said "NO!" Maybe it's because I recently got my ticket, but there were many things that were not under your control. As skipper, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of the crew, and the proper operation of the vessel. If the weather started getting snotty, then this sail could have ended up very differently.

I suggest that you explain to Charlie that you are happy to take him, and friends out on his boat. However, as skipper, you should require that the vessel be properly equipped (adequate dock lines), and that everything work properly. If I were in your position, I would also insist on inviting one crew member with seamanship capabilities with which I was familiar.

Good on ya for being there for your friend... but don't let him take advantage of you.
 
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