Alternative Protection Ideas

[mintyspilot]

Originally Posted by hummingway

If they are close enough for it to work I wonder what the chances are of setting both boats on fire?

Fairly good I would have thought.

Maybe some famous last words? "Oops! I dropped it...." **BOOM**

[muskoka]

Originally Posted by Fishman_Tx

Irrelevant.
We're not talking just Piracy or Somalia. Crimes against boats and cruisers is a worldwide thing. Ranging from simple theft to violent crime against persons. Just because the numbers are low doesn't mean it doesn't happen.


You are out of context. i quote:

This refers to the mentality of some members and why they want to shut down a discussion. Not the subject of piracy. The actual subject is the use of Molotov Cocktails against unwanted boarders.

Worldwide: 5 incidents in 2009. Sorry, but the statistical likelihood of piracy happening is relevant. And piracy is right at the bottom of the list of dangers you may face if you go blue water cruising. If you feel compelled to prepare for such an unlikely occurrence then do so - but it isn't going to resonate with most sailors simply because it is so rare. Definitely prepare for theft by securing your valuables as you would anywhere else in the world.

Further, if using Molotov cocktails against boarders isn't hand in glove with the piracy debate then what is it about? I've had to sit through many an evening with unwanted boarders - but I usually feed them regular cocktails until they get in their dinghy and depart...

[boatman61]

I'm surprised the "Gun and Bomb Fanatic's" have not come up with an obvious AND dicreet solution to close quarters/final option weapon that would pass the closest scrutiny/inspection by most authorities excluding the UK(anti-Terrorist experts) and a couple of other European countries... all it involves is basic knowledge of ballistics and gunpowder properies.. think about it.. it may or may not come to you... eventually... but you do need lateral and independent thought...ROFLMAO......

[sarafina]

Originally Posted by muskoka

I've had to sit through many an evening with unwanted boarders - but I usually feed them regular cocktails until they get in their dinghy and depart...

ok, that was funny. Maybe this is the way to go about preparing for unwanted borders and pirates;


After all Daiquiris are more my kind of cocktail anyway...

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by muskoka

Further, if using Molotov cocktails against boarders isn't hand in glove with the piracy debate then what is it about? I've had to sit through many an evening with unwanted boarders - but I usually feed them regular cocktails until they get in their dinghy and depart...

Damn... and you said I was a nice guy.. its only reason I stayed till we finished that case of Vodka...

[boatman61]

Sarafina... you were prety high on my 'Respect' list.... but as someone who appreciates the finest Rum in the World has made you an undisputed "Godess" in the Sailing World for me....

Originally Posted by sarafina

ok, that was funny. Maybe this is the way to go about preparing for unwanted borders and pirates;


After all Daiquiris are more my kind of cocktail anyway...

[svtadpole]

Us Brits (in general) don't do firearms, something we have in common with many other nationalities ....... by contrast, many cruisers from the USA seem to regard the carrying aboard (& abroad) of firearms as essential & a god-given right ... each to their own is my humble opinion .....

It is also my opinion that to be prepared is wise ... I would carry a firearm were it not for the legalities & associated nausea .... my choice would be a 12guage shotgun ... the choices of cartridges, aside from the obvious, is wide & includes coloured signal flares, bear scarers, teargas, salt shot, solid shot, exploding shot, incendiary etc etc ...

Although I choose not to sail with a firearm aboard I do choose to defend myself & my loved ones & improvised weaponry causes no raised eyebrows with customs officials ...

A fire extinguisher blasted in your assailant's face might just buy you enough time to overpower him ... ?

Lash a dive knife on the end of your longest boathook & be prepared to use it ...

If you fish whilst cruising then you probably have a gaff-hook & a billy club ...

Pepper spray (especially the long range bear squirter) could come in very handy ...

How about a net to throw over the assailant & tangle him up .... ?

Fists, feet, teeth, headbutt ...... we are talking self defence huh ?

[muskoka]

Originally Posted by sarafina

ok, that was funny. Maybe this is the way to go about preparing for unwanted borders and pirates;


After all Daiquiris are more my kind of cocktail anyway...

Absolutely, or rather, here's a cocktail ta keel ya!!!

[muskoka]

Originally Posted by svtadpole

Fists, feet, teeth, headbutt ...... we are talking self defence huh ?

Are we now talking about football matches?

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Xen

First is and electric fence, there is really only one logical way to board my boat,from the steps in back. So if I run a lead under the handrail and turn it on while im sleeping or if danger approaches that should stop at least one. .

Its an excellent idea.

Any farmers supply stor will have a portable electric fence.
They plug into a cigarette lighter socket into your 12v system, or wire onto a normal 12 volt battery
We have had a discussion on here a while ago about them.

Some saying wearing rubber shoes will stop the jolt.

I grabbed an electric fence one when I was wearing boots and I can tell you to this day I remember the sensation. After grabbing an eletrified lifeline or wire accross the stern no would be inturder will continue. Its the shock that does it!

And they are the right price

SUREGUARD 2km 12 VOLT BATTERY ELECTRIC FENCE ENERGISER


Ideal for horses. Great for temporary fencing because it is easily moved & carried. Economical enough to make small fenced areas around dams, barns, hay stacks, etc.
More Information


Price: $110.00

[muskoka]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Its an excellent idea.

Any farmers supply stor will have a portable electric fence.
They plug into a cigarette lighter socket into your 12v system, or wire onto a normal 12 volt battery

And I was wondering how to keep them roving cattle and sheep from grazing on my boat...

[Christian Van H]

Hey guys... There shouldn't be any posting of bomb recipes on this forum. There shouldn't be any posting of bomb recipes on the internet...let alone a CRUISING site. Haven't you guys had enough bombs for one generation?

[Fishman_Tx]

Originally Posted by mintyspilot

Playing around with volatile substances kept in fragile containers on an dynamic platform is not very sensible. The "unwanted boarder" is probably safer than the person holding such a jury-rigged device.

Agreed.

I certainly would not want a boat packed with molotov cocktails parked next to me in a marina.

Also if you think that the Border Police/Customs/Coastguard will admire your Molotov handiwork rather than arresting you for import of devices likely to cause a breach of the peace (to say nothing of health & safety regulations) or in these post 911 days "devices which could assist or be used in the commission of a terrorism".

Correct.

[deleted]

For other ideas you may find a copy of Army technical manual TM 31-210 and/or field manual FM 5-31 on eBay. They are available.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by svtadpole

Us Brits (in general) don't do firearms, something we have in common with many other nationalities ....... by contrast, many cruisers from the USA seem to regard the carrying aboard (& abroad) of firearms as essential & a god-given right ... each to their own is my humble opinion .....

...depending upon how you read history, if the denizens of those 13 British colonies hadn't been so well armed, we'd all be Brits to this day.

As a matter of fact, if I recall correctly, our habits of carrying firearms aboard (and abroad) was originally a response to the British impressment of American seamen. In fact, problems with impressment were taking place at the precise historical moment when the founding fathers were drafting the Bill of Rights.

And, of course, this was all taking place in foreign ports.

Small wonder that the right to bear arms was considered item #2.

[muskoka]

not to be a revisionist, but...

Bash,
Everyone from that era is long dead. As are the political forces which shaped the 18th century. Pretty soon we'll be talking about the Medici's if we carry on.

Lighten up, this is about how to go out and engage the world from the deck of a sailboat - and whether it's more decorous to use Molotov's or Daquiris to subdue the local populace...