MOB test

Eric Zilbert (eezilbert@ucdavis.edu)
Mon, 12 Apr 1999 19:26:40 -0800


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Judy, I think Lake Berryessa would be a great place to test MOB retrieval.
I think I would hook the vang up to the loop on my backstay to haul the
person in over the rear transom. BTW Riptide has two eyes in the cockpit
for attaching safety lines. One is on the transom, the other on the
opposite side below the bottom of the cabin door. For my money, these are
the perfect attachments for the number of people who should be in the
cockpit of a P-19 in heavy weather and seas - two. Four is another story.
I guess I would prefer having two (or more) people warm and dry below decks
getting ready to take over (if they are able) than on deck getting cold. I
also think that the appropriate precautions incluce wearing a PFD and
wet-suit bottoms where conditions are poor (read cold water).

The last time I sailed with the boys I tethered into the rear eyestrap when
things got rough. I use a rock climbing caribiner (quick release)
attached to my PFD on a short length (6 ft,) of 3/8" climbing rope. This
is enough to allow me to swim out from under the boat should it capsize,
but short enough so should I fall overboard I will be right next to the
transom. I can clip the engine kill to the tether so the engine will be
killed should I go over. I adopted this procedure after the trip to
Tomales Bay, where I realized that should I get separated from the boat,
David would be alone and most unlikely to be able to pilot the boat back to
me. I was greatful for this set-up when we sailed the Carquinez Strait.
At least I knew that should I be knocked overboard while messing with the
rudder, I wouldn't get left behind (though I probably could have stood
up!).

Eric Zilbert
P-19 # 621 "Riptide"
Davis, not by the sea, California