Have Tailing Lines Ever Saved A Solo Sailor?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

I've read this thread with interest, but so far have been disappointed. Not only can nobody come up with an instance where this technique saved lives, they can't even come up with a situation where it worked. I'm thinking of putting my efforts into a mob system that works with AIS. At least I have heard of that working.

Bit like life really.... great in the planning and theory...
But reality often sucks...

[Triton318]

Originally Posted by Pete7

The chances of the average overweight middle aged European or American doing this I would think slim.

What are you saying? lol

[rebel heart]

The last thing I'd every want to do on a bucking and thrashing boat is trail something on the water. Any rope should be a control line or stowed. Between jacklines, tethers, and "trailing lines" that's a lot of crap deployed to clutter a boat and snag on things.

The only thing we drag is fishing lures.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

I've read this thread with interest, but so far have been disappointed. Not only can nobody come up with an instance where this technique saved lives, they can't even come up with a situation where it worked. I'm thinking of putting my efforts into a mob system that works with AIS. At least I have heard of that working.

Bernard Mortissier would jump off the back of his boat and swim at low speeds then catch the float at the end and pull himself back to get some exercise. So there's a case where it worked. It's funny how most icons of sailing were rarely if ever found with jacklines and harnesses attached.

[pdxsailordiver]

I fell off once. Santana 28 motoring 4 -54 kts flat water. I was towing a zodiac behind the boat. This was when I was in my late 30's fit and strong. I got to the dingy as it went by grabbed a line on the dingy that went from bow to stern and no way I could hold on. Not even in FULL PANIC mode. Scariest sight you will see is the stern of your boat as it is going away.
Tim

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by pdxsailordiver

I fell off once. Santana 28 motoring 4 -54 kts flat water. I was towing a zodiac behind the boat. This was when I was in my late 30's fit and strong. I got to the dingy as it went by grabbed a line on the dingy that went from bow to stern and no way I could hold on. Not even in FULL PANIC mode. Scariest sight you will see is the stern of your boat as it is going away.
Tim

So... are you posting from a cloud... or did the boat run outa fuel...

[Jimbo485]

They are not lifelines. We call them deathlines so new crew understand that they cannot be relied on to save you.

We would take them off but then we would need to erect an alternative to hang out the washing. So for now, they stay.... As death lines and clotheslines, but never lifelines.

[pdxsailordiver]

Boatman61
This would be funny if my story was not true.
My wife and two young children were aboard. Thankfully my wife looked out from inside the cabin where she and the kids were, When the boat made a sudden turn. Saw I was not in the cockpit and got back to me before I drowned in front of my kids. I am not a swimmer.

Originally Posted by boatman61

So... are you posting from a cloud... or did the boat run outa fuel...

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by pdxsailordiver

Boatman61
This would be funny if my story was not true.
My wife and two young children were aboard. Thankfully my wife looked out from inside the cabin where she and the kids were, When the boat made a sudden turn. Saw I was not in the cockpit and got back to me before I drowned in front of my kids. I am not a swimmer.

Mate... the true story's are always the funniest.. when its a happy ending...
have you taken swimming lessons since... or d'ya just make sure your clipped on these days... plus a LJ...

[s/v Beth]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

Bernard Mortissier would jump off the back of his boat and swim at low speeds then catch the float at the end and pull himself back to get some exercise. So there's a case where it worked. It's funny how most icons of sailing were rarely if ever found with jacklines and harnesses attached.

I do this also, with a trusted hand at the helm. We use the spinnaker halyard to swing out over the ocean. No biggie in protected or calm waters. In rough water or the boat going faster than 2-3 knots.... Forget it.

[s/v Beth]

Originally Posted by pdxsailordiver

Boatman61
This would be funny if my story was not true.
My wife and two young children were aboard. Thankfully my wife looked out from inside the cabin where she and the kids were, When the boat made a sudden turn. Saw I was not in the cockpit and got back to me before I drowned in front of my kids. I am not a swimmer.

You sail and you cannot swim? Not only are you braver than I will ever be, but I wouldn't even allow you on my boat!