TonyS
Member
Yesterday we were at Cowes 300m from the shore and 500m W of the start for the Maxi yachts. We were facing them as they approached much closer and faster than I anticipated, on a track about 50m away, together with motor cruisers, ribs and a helicopter flying low, when I looked up at the helicopter my Tilly hat was blown off right into their path! My wife was busy photographing the action. The hat was run over but still remained afloat despite the considerable chop. When the rush had passed I reversed up to the hat and using the boathook got it out first time. I have now used this technique 3 times and found it much more effective than trying to go slowly forward past it. As you go forward you cannot see it and there is relative motion between you and the object. In reverse you can bring the boat so it is stationary at the object and you are both drifting at the same speed - the object is also always within sight. Is this a better method?
I might add that we have a dinghy across the back that with one karibiner can be flopped into the water for an MOB to hang on to. In other words you can manage the whole thing single handed as we would have to in any case. We had the mainsail up but if it was really blowing it might be necessary to furl the sails.
I might add that we have a dinghy across the back that with one karibiner can be flopped into the water for an MOB to hang on to. In other words you can manage the whole thing single handed as we would have to in any case. We had the mainsail up but if it was really blowing it might be necessary to furl the sails.