Should You Scuttle your Yacht?
by Nancy Knudsen, Cruising Editor on 17 Jan 2008
Abandoned catamaran, three months and 1000 miles later SW
Two incidents in the last week on the world's oceans can't help make one focus on two of today's prime issues in blue water sailing. (The top one being the question of when they will design boats with keels that stay on). The poor sailor who apparently caught fire and somehow ended up overboard was not responsible in this case, but his sailing boat then travelled 2500miles alone to Hawaii, as do many other boats when they are abandoned by their crew without being scuttled.
In the other incident, a solo sailor, somewhat curiously, called his local pub back home for help when he was incapacitated on an Atlantic crossing. With a broken pelvis he was in no state to sail the boat, which is not the case with many other sailors who abandon their boats. The old adage of 'you should step upwards to get into the liferaft' seems to be much abused these days, as is the equally old adage that the boat should then be scuttled to avoid causing a hazard to other vessels. What do you think?
How good are you at doing your own forecasting at sea? Ken Batt this week offers some reliable answers that could help have the right rig in place BEFORE the storm hits.
The once piece of gear that makes the difference between a good and a bad night's sleep when at anchor is not the chain, the snubber, the sentinel or the technique of anchoring, though these are all obviously important, but the right anchor. Des Ryan compares some of the 'new generation' anchors.
Lots of other news – the incredible Francis Joyon has had a difficult week, in danger of losing his mast, Peter Passano has won the Blue Water Trophy for 2007 and you can read about his sailing exploits. There's also a delightful story of a couple sailing the North East Australian coast in a demountable trimaran that 'lives in the shed', and some of the attractions at the London Boat Show are better than the boats!
I you have something to say, email me by clicking the link at the end of the Magazine...
Have a good week, and
Sail safe...
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