NEVER leave port without these three safety items.

[KayakDan]

The drowned kayaker with no PFD would have had a far greater chance of survival,by hauling out over the top of the kayak,which is nearly impossible without the extra buoyancy from the PFD. Geting the torso up out of the water is the key.
Our kayaking clubs have a simple rule-no PFD-no trip participation. I wouldn't even think of paddling without mine.
On the 26M,the self inflating PFD's are on us all the time. It's not a big deal to wear one,and after a while you don't even notice it.
There's a CG report on coastal fatalities in New England over a given period,and 85% of recovered fatalities did not have a flotation device worn. Seems like a no brainer to me!

I just recently(Newport Boat SHow) bought a Mustang Rescue Stick. Very cool. It's a self inflating"stick" which can be thrown to 150ft with some accuracy. It inflates on contact with the water providing flotation for a MOB. Boat show price $110. Easy to keep in the cockpit,and doesn't take up any space. I hope I never get to use it.

[eric3a]

..

[Gerald Gordon]

How would Capt. Cooke have avoided this heartbreak?

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/ ... 20348/1001

[James V]

Raises a lot of questions. Did the rudder break, no lookout, GPS failure, auto pilot failure, Booze?

Hard to say without seeing the coast guard report. I am glad that they are all safe. This trip is very hard on a boat because of the big waves and wind.

[Frank C]

Did I misunderstand the article ... didn't they just run aground?

Seems to me they were simply too foolhardy to stand-off until daybreak,
and/or neglected to read their charts.

[JonBill]

I'd like to vote on this. First time response.

My 3 most important are as follows:

1.) Water (for drinking, sufficent for a few days)
2.) My tool box with some spare parts (what comes around goes around and need to be prepared to fix things)
3.) Anchor with good chain and rode
4.) A fishing pole with a little tackle
5.) The Admiral (life is less than half the fun without her)

Did I say 3?? Sorry about that. Well I need these 5 things and could stay marooned forever with them.

Kind Regards,
JonBill

[tangentair]

...........could stay marooned forever with them.

This reminded me of something Rod McKuen said after a concert in Denver one time. He was talking about a cold but it could apply to a sea voyage just as well, and what it amounted to was, the best cure for a cold (or a sea voyage) was to go to bed (or to sea) with a bottle and book or a friend who has read one.

He also said
"Good habits are a great idea. They separate the serious adventurer from the mere traveler through life"
and that might be very appropriate to this thread

[NiceAft]

Rod McKuen also said "And the sea sends sailors crashing on the rocks, as easily as it guides them safely home. I love the sea but it doesn't make me less afraid of it"*

Ray


*From Listen to the Warm. Page 27

[RHC]

Not surprising, but no vote on 50HP OB. One of the selling points for the X is the ability to outrun a brewing storm and head for harbor before getting caught in rough waters. Has anyone actually been able to take advantage of this, or is this purely marketing hype?

Along the same lines, in theevent that you DID unexpectedly get caught in heavy weather, would you rather be in an X hull or a Venture hull (ie: traditional sailboat bottom?

[eric3a]

..

[Trouts Dream]

This past summer a storm blew up quickly on Sushwap Lake in British Columbia. Estimate 3-4 ft waves and all whitecaps, blowing wind and all. We were about to tie-off/anchor (too deep to anchor only) when we spotted it. We had to run straight at it in order to get to the narrows and head to another arm in the lake. Luckly another power boat was heading north too and I was able to stay somewhat in his wake. At one point he had to slow so much because of the waves I had to throttle right back to avoid running up on his stern. About 15 to 20 minutes at average 10 Knots, (best I could recall whenever I looked at the GPS) with ballast in and we were at the narrows. Then it was WOT for about 3 NM to get through the narrows and a safe distance up the next channel.
Can you outrun a storm, probably not. If your paying attention can you minimize your exposure, absolutely.

[richter372001]

1. A sea-worthy boat.
2. Engine/sails
3. Gasoline

[Scott]

Wine
Woman
Song

[Catigale]

Ive outun storms on Lake Ontario courtesy of Mr 50HP - I would classify Ontario as coastal cruising as opposed to Lake sailing btw...so does my insurance company.

I wouldnt put the engine on my list of top 5 safety items though. In bad weather I would prefer the older, heavier keel and less windage of the Venture boats over my

[DaveB]

1) I am aboard 2) have crew that joined 3) have all provisions needed.
Note..all provisions means, everything including the boats equipment, safety and human survival.
Dave

Please prioritize three items one should Never leave port without. 1. most important 2. almost as important 3. very important