[PUP] Scelenes vs Nordhavns

[Ken Williams]

I do not know the statistics as to the stability angles of Nordhavns, or
Selenes, but will say that I am fairly certain that they are both in the top
1%, as far as safety in heavy seas, of all non-commercial power boats. 

As to the issue of sail versus power, with respect to stability: I'm not
convinced that a sailboat is safer than my trawler. The ultimate issue is
safety, and my guess is that more mariners have been lost by being swept off
the deck of a sailboat, than have been lost through knock-down of
powerboats. Another thing to think about is that sailboats tend to seek the
wind whereas powerboats avoid it. I was just doing some research on best
routes to cross the Pacific and noticed a comment saying that the center of
the Pacific High should be avoided. This is certainly true if you are on a
sailboat, but as a power boater, I can tell you that a thousand miles of
flat windless water doesn't sound all that bad. My only point is that we
should try to separate "perceived safety" and "real safety". I could add to
this discussion that, from what I've personally observed, sailboats are
significantly more likely to be at sea, or in an anchorage, improperly
lighted. They are also much less likely to have modern navigation systems
such as AIS transmitters. Although statistics might imply that it can be
tougher to belly-up a sailboat, I suspect that the real stats, if they were
available, "might" show that fewer power boaters, than sailors, are lost per
mile of ocean passage. 

On a semi-related topic:

I hope that this discussion segways into a discussion of heavy seas tactics.
I've bought all the books I can find on this subject, but 99% are oriented
towards sailboats, and I'm not sure the tactics are the same. I've
personally never set a drogue, or a sea anchor, and hope I never do. I have
no idea how to "heave to" in a powerboat. Thus far, I've successfully
avoided really snotty weather, but sooner or later I'm sure I'll get caught
by surprise. 

Mike Maurice - as someone who runs the pacific coast regularly, is there any
particular advice you'd like to offer on this subject? The limit of my
knowledge is "don't get beam to the sea" and "it is usually smoother going
downwind than upwind". My only other rule of thumb is: "If the weather
router says not to go - don't go." Somehow, I suspect there is more to be
known on this subject....

-Ken Williams
Nordhavn68.com