We’ve discussed small-boat safety and seaworthiness in SCA countless times, including a feature called Close Calls and Other Scary Moments Aboard where we polled readers for their real-life experiences and attempted to reach some useful conclusions.
Peter, good question. We didn’t define those parameters specifically with the A.I., just asked about “small boats.”
Over the years we’ve tried to define small boat for our own parameters—early on using 26 feet sort of arbitrarily, and later using 5,000 pounds for our survey limit. These days we don’t bother trying.
There is another factor for males. Several years ago, I read a report that a significant percentage of drownings seem to occur when the victims a) were not wearing life jackets and b) had their zippers down. This report suggested that the victims had gone to the shrouds to relieve themselves and lost their balance and grip for some reason.
Thank You, Josh, for doing this. Last year we lost our Yacht Club Commodore, a former USCG Officer, at 1 am after a party across the Sound. Hit the breakwater, full tilt in a motorboat. Very sad. And frustrating....
Gee it’s almost like I don’t need to subscribe to SCA, I could just ask AI for info and articles on small craft. That’s a great tip, albeit not one I would have expected to get from the owner of a paid subscription blog.
Peter, good question. We didn’t define those parameters specifically with the A.I., just asked about “small boats.”
Over the years we’ve tried to define small boat for our own parameters—early on using 26 feet sort of arbitrarily, and later using 5,000 pounds for our survey limit. These days we don’t bother trying.
Love the photo of the daysailer with a Snipe sail (which has no reef points - Doh!)
There is another factor for males. Several years ago, I read a report that a significant percentage of drownings seem to occur when the victims a) were not wearing life jackets and b) had their zippers down. This report suggested that the victims had gone to the shrouds to relieve themselves and lost their balance and grip for some reason.
Safety and self rescue practice! Practice some more!
I was drawn to the photo at the beginning of the article. It shows a great reason for having a downhaul on you sails!
Thank You, Josh, for doing this. Last year we lost our Yacht Club Commodore, a former USCG Officer, at 1 am after a party across the Sound. Hit the breakwater, full tilt in a motorboat. Very sad. And frustrating....
How big do you have to be to not be a "small boat" in your consideration?
Gee it’s almost like I don’t need to subscribe to SCA, I could just ask AI for info and articles on small craft. That’s a great tip, albeit not one I would have expected to get from the owner of a paid subscription blog.