Singlehander safety

[Sandro]

I own and sail a Drascombe Dabber yawl, mostly in light wheather conditions (subalpine lakes or Med sea in summer) and many times singlehanded. She is well balanced and, with a lashed helm, she can sail a strait course unattended; this is generally considered a good behaviour, but: what if, moving around in the boat, I happen to go overboard?
I am inviting any suggestions about some safety device or drill that can put her round in case.
The use of harness and safety line all the time is out of question.
The late Bernard Moitessier used to tow a long line floating in the wake, which he could grab and scramble again on board. The Dabber is not a speedy boat herself and the last thing she needs is some additional drag; moreover the line is a nuisance when close to land or other boats.
Modern outboard motors are fitted with a switch operated by a red plastic lanyard (is this the correct english word?) to be tied to the helmsman wrist, that will put off the engine when pulled out of it. Can something like this be devised for sail power? Perhaps tripping a loaded shockcord that will set the main sheet free and pull the tiller to lee?
Practical ideas are welcome.
Sandro

 

[LadyInBed]

As you rule out towing a line and a safety harness, a line to trip the helm will be equally impractical, as it would either have to be towed or attached to you, so you might just as well ware a harness.

Your only alternative is to buy some long spear fisherman's swim fins and hope you can swim fast enough to catch the boat /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[ccscott49]

A floating trailing line wont appreciably slow you down, but why is wearing a harness all the time when single hasnded impossible, others do so. If you're worried about a stripey suntan, wear a safety belt and long rope, then at least you'll stay attached to the boat and as you say your boat is slow, you going over the side tied to it would probaly stop it, so you would not be drowned being pulled along, if the weather is blowy, you should have a proper harness on anyway! I agree with the other poster, reference a device to turn the boat, it is almost the "holy grail" for single handers.

 

[wpsalm]

The various devices ,harness trailing line etc. that you hope will make singlehanded sailing foolproof are only important if you actually are...
The best way to insure that you stay onboard is to occasionaly remind yourself that falling overboard is the same as falling off a 10 story building...

 

[Johnjo]

Have to agree with Colin on this, surely a safety line is the way to go!
If you should have the misfortune to go over the side I feel your weight
will bring it about or stop it, try towing a bucket and see what happens,
Another problem could be getting back in,will be a problem! unless
you have provision for this, worth thinking about.
all the best with it.
mike

 

[seaesta]

I adopt the 10 storey approach. I feel much more likely to have an accident when wearing a harness - it seems to keep getting round my feet and distracting me. If I fell overboard wearing a harness I doubt I could get back on and being dragged along behind for ages seems to be pretty fatal to me. Best thing is to make bloody certain not to fall in - one hand for the Boat -one hand for holding on is my approach.

 

[Sandro]

Thank you, Mike. The climbing on board matter is already present to me; till now, when swimming, I always could raise my wheight from the water with both hands on the gunwhale and sit on it, but as I am 66 within some year the problem will arise, and wearing full clothes and may be oilskins and boots is very different from swimming pants. I must devise something not too cumbersome.
Thanks also to everybody answering. Even if a complete solution will not surface, the talking about and all the different points of view are very useful, for instance in increasing my concern that, till now, was only a distant thougt (the 10 story theory is very teaching).
Good wind to all,
Sandro

 

[johna]

Since the fatality in the Solent in a Force 2 I have a policy of harnesses for all at all times and to be clipped on when out of the cockpit (centre cockpit ketch). However, turning to the point you asked about I have often thought of a mechanical timer, similar to a kitchen timer, linked with a system of levers that would release your tiller line if not reset at say 5 minute intervals. Visits to the heads would have to be quick but perhaps you could wind it a bit further to cover such events. I suggest a mechanical timer but it could be a battery system.

John

 

[charles_reed]

If you do hang a safety line over the side, make sure its attached to a float - a small fender or a plastic bottle does the job.

My line leads, over a pulley, to the tiller-pilot arm, which lifts off the pin when any major pressure is applied.

Theoretically the same line could tug the connection off the vane-steering.

The trouble with all these lines is that a properly trimmed boat, going to windward is utterly stable, so they'll be pretty useless.

Batter by far to avoid going overboard

 

[graham]

People dont tend to fall off boats when sat at the helm(except at sea in severe weather) .

So presuming you wear a lifejacket get one with built in harness and clip on to a strong point when doing something such as reefing down or some other activity that requires you to move around the boat.

The ideal thing to clip to is a webbing strap running on top of the thwarts from bow to stern one down both sides.ThE safety lanyard must be the double ended type that can be disconnected from your end in the event of a capsize when the attatchment point could be under water.

These will not be uncomfortable if you sit on them and wont roll like a rope or wire can if you stand on it.


Personally I would be more inclined to invest in a top quality lifejacket and consider carrying some waterproofed flares to attract attention should the unthinkable happen.

Best of luck "Good Sailing"