GL: Buddy Boats

[bob Austin]

I sure agree with not buddy boating.  We will cruise along with folks and meet
them at XX, but there are too many things which can slow down, or change
plans.  It makes the trip more difficult.  There are few recreational boaters
who are both equipt or skilled enough to take another boat in tow in case of
an emergency.

Just as an illustration--as we were leaving Acapulco on one trip, 6 other
boats came to use and asked us to "Buddy boat with them"--since the next stop
was going to be 1000 miles (lots of shooting in Central America then), and I
was the only one who had experience offshore, making passages and had Weather
Fax.  I said I would keep in touch with them via radio, but had other plans
and would be along later.  The "Buddy boats" ended up--with one boat wrecked
on the beach--the other boats had left him and had no specifics where he
was--we were involved in his rescue over a week later when his situation
became critical.  Another of the boats never made it to Costa Rica--they ended
up in Panama.  None of the boats were in sight of each other when they arrived
at their destination, and two others had lost radio contact all together....

Be prepared to take care of yourself!

Bob Austin