Bajansailor
Well-Known Member
In the wake of all the contentious (sometimes!) arguments (sorry, polite discussions) raging recently re liferafts, I came across this rather neat little sailing vessel
(a friend had sent me a link http://www.microyacht.com to it).
And there is lots more about small boats crossing oceans at http://www.microcruising.com/famoussmallboats.htm
And then I started thinking about lifeboats, perhaps as an alternative to liferafts...... by 'small' boat standards the microyacht pictured above is huge - I think the record for a transatlantic crossing is Hugo Vihlen's 'Father's Day', all 5'2" of her - does he still have the record?
The microyacht (or, even easier, Hugo's wee boat) could be stowed on the poop deck of a ketch or yawl, and the rig could perhaps do double duty as a mizzen for the big boat. Rather than having to rely on a liferaft inflating when you might need it most, this microyacht could be a self-sustained mini-lifeboat module, equipped with hydrostatic releases in the same manner as liferaft canisters should be, so that it will pop up if the big boat does decide to sink dramatically and quickly.
Am sure it would accomodate two people quite happily - ok, maybe a bit cramped, but still a lot more comfortable than any liferaft would be...... and if there are more than two of you on board, well, still carry the liferaft in its canister - the microyacht can always take it in tow.....
What do you all reckon?
(a friend had sent me a link http://www.microyacht.com to it).
And there is lots more about small boats crossing oceans at http://www.microcruising.com/famoussmallboats.htm
And then I started thinking about lifeboats, perhaps as an alternative to liferafts...... by 'small' boat standards the microyacht pictured above is huge - I think the record for a transatlantic crossing is Hugo Vihlen's 'Father's Day', all 5'2" of her - does he still have the record?
The microyacht (or, even easier, Hugo's wee boat) could be stowed on the poop deck of a ketch or yawl, and the rig could perhaps do double duty as a mizzen for the big boat. Rather than having to rely on a liferaft inflating when you might need it most, this microyacht could be a self-sustained mini-lifeboat module, equipped with hydrostatic releases in the same manner as liferaft canisters should be, so that it will pop up if the big boat does decide to sink dramatically and quickly.
Am sure it would accomodate two people quite happily - ok, maybe a bit cramped, but still a lot more comfortable than any liferaft would be...... and if there are more than two of you on board, well, still carry the liferaft in its canister - the microyacht can always take it in tow.....
What do you all reckon?
