GL: man overboard

[Ralph Yost]

"3. Make sure your boarding ladder on the transom can be deployed from
the 
water and that your jackline is cleated so you can reach the ladder
while 
being towed.
6. Throttle back somewhat for the short time you are outside - i.e. give

yourself a chance to get back aboard if needed."

Generally this is good advice, in theory.  However, lets turn it into
"real world" experience.

Next summer, Fred (and everyone else) should try a simple experiment.
Hang a line in the water from the stern of your boat, even tie a bowline
in the end. Let someone else run your boat while YOU jump in the water
(boat in neutral of course). Then simply put the boat in gear at idle
speed. See if you can even hold on. You will be amazed at how much water
pressure you will have to overcome just to hold on. Then run the boat a
little faster, say at 2-3 kts and try it.

My prediction is that at cruise speed none of us could even hold the
rope, let alone pull with enough strength to overcome it and make way to
reach the stern boarding ladder.

Years ago we had experienced this as a fluke....it was a really hot day
on the Chesapeake Bay, almost no wind. We threw a large fender over that
was tied to the 40' sailboat. Boat was moving VERY slowly in very light
wind. Each of us took a turn and jumped in and tried to hold onto the
fender, and even tried to climb up on it to ride it. We were all
surprised at how much effort it took to hold on while the boat was
moving so slowly.

The throttle back suggestion must be IDLE speed and in NEUTRAL. If the
boat has any way on, you are toast if you fall over.

R.


-----Original Message-----
From: Vance Nelson