Why I'm lucky to be alive. I was stupid.

[Sailor g]

This reminds all of us not to take short cuts or the easy way. I know I've done it & got lucky before. But I also fell off as the boat was coming in to the dock (the edging came off & I lost my footing). Luckily, I pushed off the boat & swam under the dock. I knew to get away or get crushed. Only a few cuts & scrapes from barnacles, etc. It safer to do it properly- things can go wrong without warning.

Thank you very much for sharing your story.

[Mark1977]

Good story , glad you are still here to tell it.

[SkiprJohn]

Well done! You survived. Don't be too hard on yourself. I think most of us that have been out on the water enough have had some very close calls. I've unexpectedly found myself in the water several times and have been lucky enough to still be here. If I'd had a full tool belt one time, or a pocket full of shackles like I normally do I don't think I'd be here now.
Good to hear your happy ending.

[CS Cruiser]

Glad you are okay!

[Jammer Six]

The only question I have is why didn't your PFD inflate automatically?

[Pauls]

I'd suggest that a major lesson from your experience is to have a permenant way to get back into the boat if you fall overboard. Falling overboard can happen so fast - I've been there, and so have plenty of others. A permenant workable way to climb back in without any help can save your life.

[AirBoyzT]

Originally Posted by Jammer Six

The only question I have is why didn't your PFD inflate automatically?

Because I didn't buy/want an automatic inflatable PFD due to the problem of it inflating when I don't want it to inflate...I bought the pull cord kind.

Originally Posted by Pauls

I'd suggest that a major lesson from your experience is to have a permenant way to get back into the boat if you fall overboard. Falling overboard can happen so fast - I've been there, and so have plenty of others. A permenant workable way to climb back in without any help can save your life.

I had a ladder on the back, the problem was the waves in the bay at the time, I couldn't get proper footing on the ladder.

[Pauls]

Yeah, there are a lot of ladders like that. But if you can't use it when its rough then its not much good.

I'd like to second Ann's comments above. My vote is for handling problems yourself, as much as humanly possible. It makes you a more capable human being, and sailor. There are an awful lot of places in the world where the only help you're going to get is what you can provide yourself. I think its one of the interesting parts of being a sailor.

[AirBoyzT]

Originally Posted by Pauls

Yeah, there are a lot of ladders like that. But if you can't use it when its rough then its not much good.

Oh I agree, I'm debating on what to do. Either a longer ladder or adding rope steps onto the existing ladder.

[Pauls]

Good. If you do the rope steps I'd suggest using something heavy for the steps part, like pipe. It'll help keep it down when the boat is bouncing around. Good luck on it.

[fishin4bogey]

Went fishing with some friends. Had wire line kingfish rigs prepped. Told my buddy " As I put it in gear, hold the rod out, and away from the prop.."

Sure a heck not twenty seconds later that reel is screaming. Donned a mask, and jumped in. Ocean was rockin, almost got clocked by the swim platform. Dragged myself back onboard, and called SeaTow. Caught three fish while being towed in.

[ozskipper]

Originally Posted by AirBoyzT

I have my own stupidity to blame.

Not stupidity... A stupid person wouldnt have seen it as a lesson ;-)

[Mike Vogdes]

Originally Posted by Pauls

Good. If you do the rope steps I'd suggest using something heavy for the steps part, like pipe. It'll help keep it down when the boat is bouncing around. Good luck on it.

Good idea.. Always wanted to try these
http://www.cheaperthandirt.net/produ...WXl7AodTVUAHw#
What a perfect way to stow them while they are not in service. My boat has the same type ladder set up, I'm thinking of making up a 5/8" line that would use two of these say a foot apart giving me about three foot of extension.
Yet another winter project... Good thing winter ain't over.

[s/v Beth]

Airboyz- you are lucky to be alive. You know that I am sure. All the talk of calling someone, using razor blades in the prop and rope ladders are just confusing the facts. The fact is solo sailing is an extreme sport and if you fall in you should consider yourself dead.
I think the main safety device you need to bring is another sailor, period. You cannot imagine all the ways you can get into trouble on your boat, but until you can think like a solo sailor (ie if I go down there when the surf is up I will probably not get back and therefore I will wait here till conditions change) and be safe without calling anyone, you need another sailor. Who is going to tow you when you are 500 miles out and get disabled?

[AirBoyzT]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

Airboyz- you are lucky to be alive. You know that I am sure. All the talk of calling someone, using razor blades in the prop and rope ladders are just confusing the facts. The fact is solo sailing is an extreme sport and if you fall in you should consider yourself dead.
I think the main safety device you need to bring is another sailor, period. You cannot imagine all the ways you can get into trouble on your boat, but until you can think like a solo sailor (ie if I go down there when the surf is up I will probably not get back and therefore I will wait here till conditions change) and be safe without calling anyone, you need another sailor. Who is going to tow you when you are 500 miles out and get disabled?

Who's going to tow me when I'm 500 miles out and get disabled with 2 people on the boat...?

I don't think the problem is solo sailing, the problem was me being stupid and trying to address the situation right then.

I agree having another sailor is awesome, however it isn't always feasible.