Sailing Trip from Hell

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by weavis

Broke?
wow..... should've used that made in Sheffield England metal. Nothing breaks that..

NOW ya tell me!

They claim it was titantium. They even gave me the old broken one. It's now with the backup boat parts, never know when it'll come in handy to connect somethings...

[Cheechako]

I always find the transition from land to boat the "danger time". Your body just expects things to be less dangerous when accustomed to land. It takes time to get accustomed to uneven, multilevel and moving surfaces!
I was working on my boat once and stepped into an open cockpit locker, I fell in and caught my collarbone on the locker entry edge. Took weeks to recover.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

NOW ya tell me!

They claim it was titantium. They even gave me the old broken one. It's now with the backup boat parts, never know when it'll come in handy to connect somethings...

I wouldnt be in a hurry to use it ,, not very reliable

[weavis]

• Funny, but on boats I have always gone into a look twice move once mode. Its a reflex from being a teenager and
• falling overboard after being hit by the mast.......
• from being catapulted off the stern of my 17 footer when I was working on the outboard throttle..
• from trapping my arm and leg in a sheet when someone let go.
• from getting my hand in the way of the fender and a dock
• from finding hot coffee is really hot after placing the mug on a non gimballed holder and heeling fast.......

After that, it made sense to slow down and let the boat do what it had to do without me, and then I could straighten the issue out...


accidents happen. Best not to help them

[DoubleWhisky]

I'm sorry to hear about Your unhappy accident.
Hope You will be well soon and without problems.

All the best Hoppy

Tomasz

[Prairie Chicken]

I always find the transition from land to boat the "danger time". Your body just expects things to be less dangerous when accustomed to land. It takes time to get accustomed to uneven, multilevel and moving surfaces!

So true, Cheech. I don't notice it too much but I watch my OH like a hawk for the first week--and cringe a lot! Between his arthritis & lack of flexibility he really struggles ... but amazingly regains his sea legs after about a week. We both recognize that first week as the "danger time" and take extra precautions.

I'm really sorry to hear of your misfortune Hoppy. Get well soon and heal well.

[nigel1]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

NOW ya tell me!

They claim it was titantium. They even gave me the old broken one. It's now with the backup boat parts, never know when it'll come in handy to connect somethings...

Might come in handy as a splint one day.

[nigel1]

Wish you a speedy recovery Hoppy.
I'd look at it as a lesson learned.
Busted my knee up pretty bad a few years ago at sea in a typhoon. It still causes problems at times, but I don't let it put me off, and I still single hand most of the time.
Just have to be a bit more careful.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by weavis

I wouldnt be in a hurry to use it ,, not very reliable

Yeah but they claimed the two indivudal parts should be just fine!

[weavis]

Originally Posted by nigel1

Might come in handy as a splint one day.

Where do you sail out of Nigel? seems you could head for either coast...?

[s/v Beth]

I hear a little cry for help from the OP, and he is right. Soloing is an extreme sport. One should be very careful, because accidents without backup (ie another person around) is alot more dangerous.
What if he had broke his patella out in the Med? Would you guys all be screaming about the cost of the rescue? :P

[weavis]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

I hear a little cry for help from the OP, and he is right. Soloing is an extreme sport. One should be very careful, because accidents without backup (ie another person around) is alot more dangerous.
What if he had broke his patella out in the Med? Would you guys all be screaming about the cost of the rescue? :P

The good news about the Med.... is that your not so far from anywhere. I wouldnt go so far as to say soloing is an extreme sport, but I would say breaking something is

Taking the right emergency medications and equipment on a sail is pretty important. Sometimes it even pays to have 2 waterproof boxes of them at opposite ends, or one close to the cockpit and one close to the foredeck. In any event, gotta be prepared.

Whist I like to be alone sailing, in latter times in Florida, I would take others along for the ride and to let them learn a bit and just for the knowledge that another pair of hands on standby is a good idea. Even if they did nothing much during the fishing trip boat wise..... they were there for a necessity should it arise.

This is one of the reasons for me going smaller on a Catamaran. I want all lines leading aft and I want a secure area for boat control where I dont have to leap about in weather. As we get passed 50, we have to think smarter, or try to. Id love to have an equally enthusiastic female companion to share a boat with...

If there are any females out there wanting the same.. please send photo of your boat.

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by weavis

The good news about the Med.... is that your not so far from anywhere.

So true... when I was reading the recent "offshore" thread which someone mentioned 200nm from land I took a look at a map of the med and realised it was very difficult to become an "offshore" sailor within the med

[weavis]

Originally Posted by hoppy

So true... when I was reading the recent "offshore" thread which someone mentioned 200nm from land I took a look at a map of the med and realised it was very difficult to become an "offshore" sailor within the med

Yep. This is the area I want to sail in only.... and even if I head over to Italy or Greece, though with the new Greek tax scheme.. maybe not, Im not too far from help.. I can coastal France and Italy!

no more than 60 miles from a shore.

[s/v Beth]

Ah ya wimps! Anybody can fly over and help ya there!
Were is your offshore spirit? :P Don't you have any true bravery? Why I would sail those waters with a complete orphanage on board!