Single handing

[MC1]

Just a "thought experiment" (at least until some brilliant engineer takes up the challenge), but assuming some of the engineering difficulties could be overcome (e.g., how to sense the need to deploy, how to autotmatically deploy, how to minimize the shock force when the line goes taught so it doesn't pull the attachment point right out of the boat, etc.), let's say a Jordon Series drougue or a Para-Anchor were deployed on MOB. Would this stop the boat with full sails up regardless of wind direction/strength, windvane usage, auto-pilot usage?

[RonRelyea]

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/southern_counties/3884251.stm


The epitome of the worst bad luck followed by the best good luck ....

Originally Posted by Irwin32

I would be interested to hear accounts of single handers who did fall over travelling at 5 or 6 knots. Are there any?

[Waltthesalt]

I live in the Pacific Northwest, water temp in the 40's. If you go into the water you're dead. My strategy is to have your harness safety track arrangement so you don't go over the safety lines. At Astoria where the USCG tests its surf craft they use fixed attachment points and adjustable hanresses so you clip on and tighen you harness lead to the minimum. I spent a career on submarines and we used a fixed track to clip on to. I think the usual jack lines have too much lateral flex to keep you from going over the lifelines, so on my boat I put in tracks on each side of the coach roof and down the cockpit recessed under a grating. With my harness adjusted I can't physically go over the side. Up on the foredeck I didn't want a track so I put on a folding padeye. When clipped to that I can't go over the lifelines.

[closehauled14]

Mc1, if you were to rig a para anchor or drogue in that fashion it would only slow her down. I think that the best solution is to find a way to kill the auto helm via kill switch lanyard or rig a wireless kill switch. (I believe I read here somewhere) where one guy used an invisible fence style dog colar worked into the auto helm wiring so that if you left the "yard" it would interupt power to the auto helm and alow the boat to round up. Also trailing 200ft or so of line with a fender or something on the end would be helpful if she is kind enough tround herself up into irons.

[mintcakekeith]

Possibly Raymarines life tag system could be made to activate an autopilot to bring the boat through the wind into a hoveto possition? may be worth asking .K

[mintcakekeith]

Have just been given an industrial fall arrest device,works on same principle as a car seat belt ,ie free movement untill sudden load then locks up.perhaps it may have a use ,ie attached to mast to allow easy working but must not be long enough to allow you to go over rail.Obviously standard unit would not last long in a marine environment but might be worth testing.K

[Turbot2]

Yes, Barb,
See how this young lady does it in Ella's Pink Lady,

Jessicawatson.com.au

Also, there is already another post on here, but its worth visiting her blog.
Incredible young sailor. ! Passed this on to one of my nieces for inspiration.
I visit her site every day as do hundreds of other supporters around the world.

Bill.

[Garffin]

I have thought about this a bit! But from my experience on the water is that if you fall in while underway you will not get back into the boat by yourself. I have seen people on two occasions fall over and there was no way they could have gotten back onboard without help. The first time was SE Alaska and the kid just backsteped to the stern the flipped over. It was summer time. The second well it was winter and he got back on board after about a four min. swim. First when you hit the water your body does this weird thing when you hit that ice cold water. You can’t think for a second. It will suck the strength right out of you. If you are lucky to be in warm water and say you fall over the leeward side by the time you realize what has happened, where you are in relation to the boat the boat has gone by. Try it for yourself. Get a friend to go out with you. Put on some good warm soup, have the cabin all nice a toasty and a change of clothes ready. Then with the the harness on “fall” over the side. I can tell you that even though you will be expecting the fall you will not be able to get back onboard without help if you are doing more than say 2 knots. Go test it out and see! Its easy enough to figure out. I bet you no matter what you do even knowing that you are about to jump would help you but no there is no way! Like i said just go out there one sunny day and try it.

[WanderingStar]

I tested the idea of catching the boat swimming. One day while ghosting with my brother I jumped over in blue jeans and a tee shirt. Even at a very slow speed I could only just keep up with the boat, not gain on it.
I also like the idea of centerline jacklines. (Mine are currently on the side decks) I singlehand a lot, and rarely snap on, but I do make a habit of walkig forward on the upwind side. As the water gets colder and lonelier this winter I may snap on more often, especially handling the staysail or anchor.

[cabron99]

While on a salmon seiner out of Kodiak in the 70's, the skipper backed down on another boat's anchor line and wrapped it around our prop. I was in my mid 20's and bullet-proof. (Remember that time in life?) I volunteered to cut the mess away and dove in with just a pair of Levi's on. Ha!! I was out of that water so fast, I didn't even get wet! Shocking doesn't even begin to describe the experience. We decided to beach the Hak Sei and cut the line off at low tide. Good move.

Pat