Tragedy Strikes.

[The Garbone]

Here is to hoping.

Let us assume the best and he gets back aboard.

Considering the boat is getting pretty far out there by now and the winds look to be against his direct return to the Bahamas would it be best for him to make for Florida? possibly Jupiter inlet or Fort Pierce?

Could he put her in a Starboard tack and once clear of the stream reach for the Bahamas again?

Sailing Weather - Marine Weather Forecasts for Sailors and Adventurers - PassageWeather

And an update that I did not notice until after writing my post.

http://svdagny.com/the-wild-goose-chase/

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

'Evidence' that's funny

I'm just very surprised it's disappeard and travelled so far in such a short period of time. A 'drift' I would have thought it would be pretty close after an hour and a half.

It moved about 22NM over about 24 hours - pretty much what could be attributed to wind and/or current. Still pretty far from the GS.

[four winds]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

I'm surprised it's still being talked about as a 'drift', when I would surely think by now it's a theft and need to cast the net wider, get pictures out asap. Poor OP must be beside himself.

It was anchored outside the seawall in thin sand over hardpan with a 20lb. backup anchor. It was spotted by the USCG ~25nm NNW ~24hrs. after disappearing. It seems possible that it dragged off to deeper water and had been drifting at about 1 knot trailing its tackle in the water that first day.

It seems less likely that it was stolen and sailed or towed at 1 knot in the direction of the prevailing current.

Wouldn't you agree?

[Lizzy Belle]

Why are some people blaming him for having to use a spare anchor?

A 20 lbs will probably sound way too Mickey Mouse to people sailing a 50' yacht, but it's not so undersized for a 26' boat ... Rocna (yes, different anchor, I know) actually advised me not to go +1 size cos their 22 lbs is already "oversized" for a 29' boat.

As to deceiving a local fisherman into helping: great advice!
After being used like that once or twice, the locals will think twice before they help the next person who finds himself in trouble ...
Read up on the laws (!) and be nice to the locals, especially if you want their help.
But even when you don't: just treat people the way you want to be treated. Goes a long way.

I'm just hoping for a Christmas miracle here, as it doesn't really look all that hopeful ...
Fingers & toes are crossed!

[Salty Mike]

Originally Posted by four winds

It was anchored outside the seawall in thin sand over hardpan with a 20lb. backup anchor. It was spotted by the USCG ~25nm NNW ~24hrs. after disappearing. It seems possible that it dragged off to deeper water and had been drifting at about 1 knot trailing its tackle in the water that first day.

It seems less likely that it was stolen and sailed or towed at 1 knot in the direction of the prevailing current.

Wouldn't you agree?

"Stolen By The Sea" Somebody wright that song form me and get it over to Jimmy B and we'll split the royalties with Gil.

[Ocean Girl]

Any of you pilots know the folks over at Watermakers?? They fly over that area, though it may be too north now.
All pilots, if you could put the word out. Maybe someone is running a charter over the search area..?

[garrobito]

..at this point I think the only real opportunity is a grid searching in a small airplane.. It's simply too far to tried to reach the boat with a motoryacht..
I was hopping yesterday they can intercept but again.. it's just a spot in the ocean..

[Tingum]

I am sorry but once it is past The Matanella shoals area it is gone! Even if you spotted it North of the Bahamas you still have to get a body on it. The cost of the salvage rapidly approaching the value of the vessel. Unless a very strong easterly blows it across the stream, it is headed for Europe.

[four winds]

Hey Lizzy, I hope you don't think I was blaming Gil for using inadequate ground tackle. I did not intend that.

I was saying it was his backup, or second choice anchor, as his primary newgen anchor had been left behind the previous day unfortunately.

A 20 lb. CQR would be a common backup for his boat. As is the 25 lb. CQR for mine, with a Manson Supreme primary and a spare Fortress.

[brownoarsman]

If Gil can't get back on it, hopefully it doesn't go all the way to Europe. At least some boats wash up on the vineyard and other parts of New England. I hope you get back on Dagny before needing to worry about that, Gil.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by four winds

Hey Lizzy, I hope you don't think I was blaming Gil for using inadequate ground tackle. I did not intend that.

Nope, it was earlier in this thread (but I'm too lazy to go look it up ).
You simply stated what he was using, without judgement.

[socaldmax]

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

Why are some people blaming him for having to use a spare anchor?

A 20 lbs will probably sound way too Mickey Mouse to people sailing a 50' yacht, but it's not so undersized for a 26' boat ... Rocna (yes, different anchor, I know) actually advised me not to go +1 size cos their 22 lbs is already "oversized" for a 29' boat.

As to deceiving a local fisherman into helping: great advice!
After being used like that once or twice, the locals will think twice before they help the next person who finds himself in trouble ...
Read up on the laws (!) and be nice to the locals, especially if you want their help.
But even when you don't: just treat people the way you want to be treated. Goes a long way.

I'm just hoping for a Christmas miracle here, as it doesn't really look all that hopeful ...
Fingers & toes are crossed!

Nobody is blaming him for anything. Just explaining why the drifting theory is the predominant one in this case.

[Lizzy Belle]

Let's just all hope that boat and skipper will be reunited at some point.

Wish there was something I could actually DO for Gil; I don't have money to spare or contacts that can help

Apart from losing your keel (unlikely) or your boat ending up on the rocks ... this is pretty much your worst nightmare coming true.

My heart is a little bit broken for Gil.

The boat will likely be fine, but finding it and getting someone onboard ...

[OBXSkipper]

Now if someone started a rumor that there were 15 kilos of of cocaine hidden onboard... the little boat would be found in less than 12hrs ...just sayin

[sanibel sailor]

A pilot friend suggested the civil air patrol. "They live for that ****" is what he said.