What now, skipper?

[bbg]

So, you're well offshore, living your dream, crossing the Atlantic. The sky is blue, the sea is calm, and you are stuck in the middle of a high pressure system so no wind at all. The crew asks whether they can cool off by going for a dip.

Do you let them?

 

[peterb]

Do what Jack Aubrey used to do; lower a sail into the water and let them swim in that. A big spinnaker ought to do.

 

[jonjo]

Do what Jack Aubrey used to do; lower a sail into the water and let them swim in that. A big spinnaker ought to do.

Sounds like a perfect setup to drown your crew. Think you should delete your post.

 

[bbg]

Do what Jack Aubrey used to do; lower a sail into the water and let them swim in that. A big spinnaker ought to do.

Based on what the shark did to that keel, I wouldn't have much confidence in a sail protecting the crew!

 

[Poignard]

Do what Jack Aubrey used to do; lower a sail into the water and let them swim in that. A big spinnaker ought to do.

_____________________________________

What - risk having a sail damaged? Crews come free but sails cost money.

 

[TQA]

So, you're well offshore, living your dream, crossing the Atlantic. The sky is blue, the sea is calm, and you are stuck in the middle of a high pressure system so no wind at all. The crew asks whether they can cool off by going for a dip.

Do you let them?

On a slow crossing in the early 90s we all went for a swim several times. The sails were dropped and the skipper [me] always held on to a trailing rope. One memorable swim was in the company of a young and very curious fin whale. Made us all strong supporters of the stop the whaling campaigns.

 

[jbweston]

So, you're well offshore, living your dream, crossing the Atlantic. The sky is blue, the sea is calm, and you are stuck in the middle of a high pressure system so no wind at all. The crew asks whether they can cool off by going for a dip.

Do you let them?

If I've got them insured for replacement value and the boat set up for short handed sailing, why should I worry? Of course I would make sure they handed me their valuables for safekeeping before they went over the side . . .

 

[islandsailor]

I have swum many times in the middle of the Ocean and it is a awesome if not slightly strange sensation! obviously you need to drop sails have trailing lines etc and not a good idea if you have seen any shark activity.