I think it was all meant in good humor. I keep chiming in for two
reasons. One is that I had a similar, but now obviously less serious,
experience a few years back, so I could "relate." The other reason is
that I think that most of us "weekend sailors" (there are no working
sailors anymore, not in this country) cannot get too many of these
disaster stories. We are better prepared by them. Vicarious
experience! Remember, don't let your hobby kill you.
Just the other day, here in San Diego, two guys who I slightly knew from
around the waterfront were rescued inside the surf line in 8 foot waves
and gale force winds at 11:00 at night, by a lifeguard boat, also in
amongst the 8 foot breaking waves, as their Catalina 22 was broken to
pieces, by said same 8 foot waves pounding it against the Ocean Beach
pier. At one time 4 people were in the water. Everyone lived through
it, the boat was a total loss. It may be 1999, but the sea doesn't
care. It may as well be 1799, for what the sea can do to a boat and
people.
Sail safe, Dudes!
:)
Steve Barnes, now a lurker, temporarily sailing a Capri-16, #74, in San
Diego.
(former WWP-14 skipper)
OLDSURFDUDE