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Old 21-08-2019, 07:43   #1
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I Did A Very Stupid Thing

I did a very stupid thing yesterday. My embarrassment in telling it seems to be worth it, in case it helps someone.


I was single handing across the Gulf of Finland from Tallinn to Helsinki. The wind turned out to be much better than expected, a lovely F4 - F5 and a close reach. So I was flying across the water at 9 to 9.5 knots under all plain sail, with a quite benign sea state, heeled at maybe 10 - 15 degrees, rudder at 4 or 5 degrees, boat working at optimum efficiency, almost effortlessly. One of those days which reminds you of why you love to sail.


I went below to make myself a cup of coffee. My galley is on the port side, and I was on a port tack. It wasn't too bouncy, so I stood in front of the Nespresso machine and didn't bother to wedge myself into the U-shaped part of the galley as usual. But I was facing uphill.


As luck would have it, we got hit by one of those somewhat bigger waves, just in phase with the roll, so that it made the boat lurch over to leeward.


And here I am, standing facing uphill, not holding on to anything, not wedged in


I go flying, coffee spraying all over the place. Idiotically holding on to the coffee cup. This flight is back-first, head-first, so I can't even see where I'm flying. Over a significant distance -- my boat's beam is 16 feet.



I twist in flight and don't hit anything, and come down on my shoulder, so no damage other than a very sore shoulder. But I could easily have hit my head or have broken my neck. People die in this kind of fall. Only dumb luck saved me.



For God's sake, never forget -- "one hand for yourself, the other for the ship." It can be literally a matter of life and death. Every good sailor knows this instinctively, but yesterday I was not a good sailor I have even less of an excuse because my boat has perfect handholds, and a perfectly shaped and size galley. None of which I bothered to use ALTHOUGH I was single handed and trying to be extra careful, even wearing a life jacket
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Old 21-08-2019, 07:56   #2
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Re: I Did A Very Stupid Thing

Dockhead,

You're such a valuable ol' Sea Dawg to this Forum Neptune must be protecting you. ; )

On my first offshore passage (Newport to Panama), my cousin, Big Steve, passed along his one tip before I departed. In his rumbling Irish voice, "REMEMBER! One hand for you and one for the boat!" And so I went off to sea.

A few days later, I had made two cups of tea (one for me, one for the mate on watch) and was carrying them up the companionway ladder simultaneously when the boat lurched on a wave and the tea and me went every direction at once.

The only thing I could hear was Big Steve's booming Irish voice, "ONE HAND FOR YOU AND ONE FOR THE BOAT" in my head.

I've never forgotten since.

Thanks for the reminder!

Warmly,
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Old 21-08-2019, 08:00   #3
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Re: I Did A Very Stupid Thing

can't ever forget or the boat will remind you

takes for sharing, but don't feel alone
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Old 21-08-2019, 08:09   #4
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Re: I Did A Very Stupid Thing

Fortunately, you only used 0.4amps to make the coffee...
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Old 21-08-2019, 08:11   #5
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Re: I Did A Very Stupid Thing

We all done done it...

Timing is everything... I once took a dump at the top of a wave when the boat slid off...

Nuff said..
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Old 21-08-2019, 08:22   #6
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Re: I Did A Very Stupid Thing

On the bright side you were inside the boat when it decided to leave you.
I’ve done dumber things but that’s for another thread. Luckily we are still around through no fault of our own
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Old 21-08-2019, 08:34   #7
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Re: I Did A Very Stupid Thing

Yep that's y i tell every crew boats are hard if u run into it only u will b the one hurt
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Old 21-08-2019, 08:36   #8
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Re: I Did A Very Stupid Thing

Changing the subject....a bit......What kind of Nespresso machine do you have? I have one at home and would love to find a 12V version that takes the smaller capsules for the boat. Also I do like to have proper espresso cups but as a concession to safety (tripping over dog etc and maybe sea state) I would also like to get a boat friendly bendy/washable espresso cup that also looks stylish.

I am happy to purchase from distant shores at great expense for the correct gear.
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Old 21-08-2019, 08:42   #9
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Re: I Did A Very Stupid Thing

We all do need the reminder from time to time, thank you.

Fair winds
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Old 21-08-2019, 08:43   #10
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Re: I Did A Very Stupid Thing

Our galley has both a crash bar (for downhill) and padeyes (for uphill belt) in front of the stove to help minimize that...
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Old 21-08-2019, 09:02   #11
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Re: I Did A Very Stupid Thing

Thanks for the reminder. Anyone who claims they hadn't done a dumb thing or " two" is a liar.
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Old 21-08-2019, 09:04   #12
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Re: I Did A Very Stupid Thing

Quote:
Originally Posted by skipgundlach View Post
Our galley has both a crash bar (for downhill) and padeyes (for uphill belt) in front of the stove to help minimize that...

What I have is even better -- a perfectly u-shaped galley you can always be wedged into whenever you need to. Doesn't help you if you don't use it
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"You sea! I resign myself to you also . . . . I guess what you mean,
I behold from the beach your crooked inviting fingers,
I believe you refuse to go back without feeling of me;
We must have a turn together . . . . I undress . . . . hurry me out of sight of the land,
Cushion me soft . . . . rock me in billowy drowse,
Dash me with amorous wet . . . . I can repay you."
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Old 21-08-2019, 09:07   #13
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Re: I Did A Very Stupid Thing

Quote:
Originally Posted by cuthbert View Post
Changing the subject....a bit......What kind of Nespresso machine do you have? I have one at home and would love to find a 12V version that takes the smaller capsules for the boat. Also I do like to have proper espresso cups but as a concession to safety (tripping over dog etc and maybe sea state) I would also like to get a boat friendly bendy/washable espresso cup that also looks stylish.

I am happy to purchase from distant shores at great expense for the correct gear.

Thank you for changing the subject to something less embarrassing


I use a bog-standard first generation Nespresso machine, the one which takes the original metal Nespresso capsules and without any of the milk frothing stuff. It is small, inexpensive, and reliable.



I have never heard of 12v version, and couldn't use it anyway (we are a 24v boat). I use the ordinary household 230v run off the inverter. No need for "distant shores" or "great expense" -- just use an inverter.
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"You sea! I resign myself to you also . . . . I guess what you mean,
I behold from the beach your crooked inviting fingers,
I believe you refuse to go back without feeling of me;
We must have a turn together . . . . I undress . . . . hurry me out of sight of the land,
Cushion me soft . . . . rock me in billowy drowse,
Dash me with amorous wet . . . . I can repay you."
Walt Whitman
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Old 21-08-2019, 09:07   #14
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Re: I Did A Very Stupid Thing

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Fortunately, you only used 0.4amps to make the coffee...
I got a good laugh from your comment, I am a powerboater!
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Old 21-08-2019, 09:44   #15
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Re: I Did A Very Stupid Thing

hi, two years ago i slipped on the compaionway steps, fell about 2 feet ,broke three ribs and punctured a lung.lucly i was in the ancorage.at falmouth right next to the lifeboat.i think it was their shortest callout.
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