Video of the week

Originally posted by 2547 Originally posted by PeterG Every time I think about doing that I then start thinking about my buoyancy bags ripping free of the hull, and the whole boat sinking. Clip it with one of those plastic hooks, so you can pull it out easily if the highly improbable happens! That may make it more likely that the mainsheet will detach itself from you, but it will stop the boat taking you to the bottom when that pesky submarine torpedoes you, and it still makes you less likely to lose contact with the boat after a capsize. Ah ... I see what you are getting at now ... the whole boat taking you down to the seabed ... As stated above use a clip you can undo ...  I use these http://www.norfolkmarine.co.uk/shop-online/small-shackle-lightweight-plastic-pair-p-21657.html

a/ You have one of these plastic hooks permanently attached to the end of your mainsheet? c/ You attach the hook to your mainsheet when the wind becomes excessive?

I watched my contender sail merrily off without me whilst training at Oxford.  The boat took ages to capsize and I was right at the far end of the lake so effectively no one knew where I was.  I was saved by the whistle I always carry which was heard by another sailor who then flagged down a safety boat.

Originally posted by 2547 Originally posted by sandgrounder Originally posted by 2547 Originally posted by PeterG Every time I think about doing that I then start thinking about my buoyancy bags ripping free of the hull, and the whole boat sinking. Clip it with one of those plastic hooks, so you can pull it out easily if the highly improbable happens! That may make it more likely that the mainsheet will detach itself from you, but it will stop the boat taking you to the bottom when that pesky submarine torpedoes you, and it still makes you less likely to lose contact with the boat after a capsize. Ah ... I see what you are getting at now ... the whole boat taking you down to the seabed ... As stated above use a clip you can undo ...  I use these http://www.norfolkmarine.co.uk/shop-online/small-shackle-lightweight-plastic-pair-p-21657.html   For the sake of clarification, are you saying that:-   a/ You have one of these plastic hooks permanently attached to the end of your mainsheet?   b/ You attach the hook when you're going out sailing, knowing that it's likely to blow 40kts?   c/ You attach the hook to your mainsheet when the wind becomes excessive? The hook is attached to my harness or ba (if hiking) and I slip the mainsheet in just inside the stopper knot in all conditions.

On the occasions that I've been separated from my boat in excessive breeze I think the hook you describe would have been ripped clean off my BA in the circumstances I experienced.

Originally posted by 2547 Originally posted by sandgrounder Originally posted by 2547 Originally posted by sandgrounder Originally posted by 2547 Originally posted by PeterG Every time I think about doing that I then start thinking about my buoyancy bags ripping free of the hull, and the whole boat sinking. Clip it with one of those plastic hooks, so you can pull it out easily if the highly improbable happens! That may make it more likely that the mainsheet will detach itself from you, but it will stop the boat taking you to the bottom when that pesky submarine torpedoes you, and it still makes you less likely to lose contact with the boat after a capsize. Ah ... I see what you are getting at now ... the whole boat taking you down to the seabed ... As stated above use a clip you can undo ...  I use these http://www.norfolkmarine.co.uk/shop-online/small-shackle-lightweight-plastic-pair-p-21657.html   For the sake of clarification, are you saying that:-   a/ You have one of these plastic hooks permanently attached to the end of your mainsheet?   b/ You attach the hook when you're going out sailing, knowing that it's likely to blow 40kts?   c/ You attach the hook to your mainsheet when the wind becomes excessive? The hook is attached to my harness or ba (if hiking) and I slip the mainsheet in just inside the stopper knot in all conditions.    OK, understood.   On the occasions that I've been separated from my boat in excessive breeze I think the hook you describe would have been ripped clean off my BA in the circumstances I experienced.   Depends how you attach it I suppose; given BAs are designed to be used to lift you from the water if you tie that hook on with a bit of 3mm rope it will be fine ... don't forget it is the tail of the mainsheet so all the slack has to be taken up first ...

The Boys and I at C.V.L.S.C last Sunday. The same winds as the Stevie Nicks. When you get to the end you will see why racing was abandoned. First video attempt by my Yoof. Not Nessa's Yoof. Hope you enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPAK1s_xUlM&feature=youtu.be

Edited by Puddlebuster - 01 Feb 14 at 10:48am