> Judy,
>
> Took a look at the Trailer Sailor discussion. My first impression was how
> cool and organized the conversation thread is presented in Trailer Sailor.
I'
> ve never seen anything like that. It would work well for this Potter List
in
> that sometimes the threads get long, convoluted and many times leave the
> subject entirely.
>
> I was having a little difficulty visualizing the man overboard procedure
> they are advocating, but if it is as I picture it, with the stress of the
> weight of the victim being applied to the end of the boom, I don't think
this
> would work on a P-15. I think that if you put 200 pounds on the end of the
> boom of a P-15 with the boom extended abeam, that it would pull the boat
over
> before you could lift the weight aboard. That would be if the deck
fittings
> for the side stays (a P-15 does not have shrouds) could withstand the
stress.
> I think, but I am not positive, that you would stand a good chance of
> dismasting the boat.
>
> Another problem I have with this scenario is rigging the "boom lift" or
> whatever you want to call it. This would have to be done during a state of
> panic while a person is scared, thrashing, and perhaps approaching
> hypothermia in the water.
>
> I sent this directly to you, because I think I may be missing something
here.
> If you think these are viable concerns, please feel free to post your
reply
> along with this letter to the entire list.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Geoff
> P-15 Lollipop
> No. Lake Tahoe, NV
Hi Geoff,
I think you're right. It would probably capsize and it might dismast a P15.
You could lower the boom to the bottom to reduce the lever arm length, force
on the mast and the heeling moment...?
This procedure might even damage a P119; I don't know if the P19 gooseneck is
strong enough to survive long enough to get the MOB on board. The boom is, I
think even if it does bend a little, but maybe not the gooseneck
On the P15, the freeboard is pretty low at the cockpit. Perhaps it would be
better to attach the block and tackle to the cockpit or stern somewhere and
pull the person up to the gunwale. Then you could swing them up and over the
rail without losing hold of them.
I have a spare P19 boom that I'm willing to risk; we can try it out at a PY
meeting with my boat this summer. I'm not worried about damaging the mast,
the stays can certainly stand two hundred pounds (or more, whatever the
levers produce). Somebody else will have to go in the water besides me. I
want to stay on the boat and keep an eye on the gear and besides, at 105
pounds, I'm not a good experimental MOB <g>
If my old boom survives the test on the P19, we could try it with a P15 using
my old boom. (Any body want to volunteer their boat?) Would the gooseneck
fit a P15? If we slid the boom down all the way to the cabin top, it might
not hurt the mast, but it might still capsize the P15.
Even if it does wreck the boom, I think that would be preferable to losing a
person to hypothermia. If it works and there is no better way, I'd sacrifice
my boom to save someone's life.
I was talking to a girlfriend of mine with thirty years cruising experience
yesterday. She has a 4:1 block and tackle on a heavy-duty velcro strap that
she keeps in the cockpit. (It's like the one sailmakers give you for the
clew of a loosefooted mainsail; you could hoist a grand piano with it) In
case of an MOB, she can attach it to the boom very quickly and hoist the MOB
in. She has tested it under practice conditions, but never had to use it in
an emergency.
However, her boat weighs 6500 pounds. I wonder how much the P19 will heel
with 200 pounds suspended on the boom 4 feet off the centerline?
She also tows a ski-rope behind when she's cruising alone, like SolarFry
recommended. I guess you have to retrieve it before you start the outboard
to avoid fouling the prop.
Regards,
Judy B.
Judith Blumhorst, DC
HMS18/P19 Fleet Cap'n, Potters Yachters
1985 WWP19 #266 Redwing
(Rigged so a petite woman can solo)
Sailing on SF Bay, CA
(5-35 knot winds, 2-4' chop, 2-6' swells, and currents up to 6 knots)
Visit <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/jblumhorst/HomePage/index.htm">Judy B's
West Wight Potter Pages
</A>
and <A HREF="http://songbird.com/potter_yachter/">The Official Web Site of
the Potter Yachters
</A>