Jumping overboard at night. 2 missing in Chicago.

[tompolak]

Note to self. Don't jump over board from sailboat at night for a swim. Espically without a life jacket... Espically without anchoring.
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010 ... ssing.html

What were they thinking..... at least anchor the boat if you are going to jump in. A good chance that at least 2 people lost their lives with this decision.

[Highlander]

They were just not thinking !,
At that age they think their invincable !
I have actualy in my younger days in day time tied off the tiller while sailing & jumped in with a pfd tied off to 50' of line & let the boat take me for a ride , could not do that today don't have the strength to pull myself back anymore
" getting old " I guess , still was not the smartest of things to do ! when by yourself ! So don;t do it unless someone is with you who can handle the boat

Hope they find them alive
J

[Catigale]

Yikes....

[left-IS-right]

Hulluva way to die.

[grady]

I have actually in my younger days in day time tied off the tiller while sailing & jumped in with a pfd tied off to 50' of line & let the boat take me for a ride
J

Heck I still do that without the PFD on those days when the boat is only going about 2 kts or so on autopilot. I know it probably is not the smartest thing to do but I do look to make sure there is no wind coming prior to jumping in.

[kmclemore]

I have actually in my younger days in day time tied off the tiller while sailing & jumped in with a pfd tied off to 50' of line & let the boat take me for a ride
J

Heck I still do that without the PFD on those days when the boat is only going about 2 kts or so on autopilot. I know it probably is not the smartest thing to do but I do look to make sure there is no wind coming prior to jumping in.

Key point highlighted. Boys and girls, don't do this at home.

[pokerrick1]

but I do look to make sure there is no wind coming prior to jumping in.

I'm sorry - - - but exactly how do you do THAT with absolute certainty? Like Kevin said - - - Kids, don't try this at home alone.

Rick

[grady]

I have actually in my younger days in day time tied off the tiller while sailing & jumped in with a pfd tied off to 50' of line & let the boat take me for a ride
J

Heck I still do that without the PFD on those days when the boat is only going about 2 kts or so on autopilot. I know it probably is not the smartest thing to do but I do look to make sure there is no wind coming prior to jumping in.

Key point highlighted. Boys and girls, don't do this at home.

Oh ya I forgot to point that out, these stunts are performed by Experts please do not try this at home.

[grady]

but I do look to make sure there is no wind coming prior to jumping in.

I'm sorry - - - but exactly how do you do THAT with absolute certainty? Like Kevin said - - - Kids, don't try this at home alone.

Rick

Wind will always change the surface look of the water.

[SkiDeep2001]

but I do look to make sure there is no wind coming prior to jumping in.

I'm sorry - - - but exactly how do you do THAT with absolute certainty? Like Kevin said - - - Kids, don't try this at home alone.

Rick

Wind will always change the surface look of the water.

Sure, you can jump overboard when the water is like a mirror but within minutes conditions can change. Unless you are a strong swimmer or can shinny along a rope I wouldn't attempt it. Just my opinion. Rob

[sailor141]

I had a personal experience with before when I was a teenager. I was on my sailboat with two friends and jumped off to get wet. The wind picked up and they started sailing away from me. Luckily they were on board and turned the boat around to pick me up. Now, if I jump over, a floatation device goes with me and of course someone is at the helm. A big problem with a situation like this is when people panic. That causes you to loose control and makes it hard to stay afloat with out getting exhausted. I knew how to swim, but when I started to panic, I was having trouble staying up. I tensed up and quickly used all my energy. Instead of doing the dead mans float I was about to become the floating dead man.

[David Mellon]

From what I can tell from various articles, the captain of this boat was considered a "great sailor." Once again, being able to pilot a boat at a competitive speed does not prove that one is a "great sailor." A great sailor would never allow anyone to die in such a tragically stupid way, especially himself. He was completely responsible for the well-being of every soul aboard his vessel. Breaking every rule of safe conduct aboard a vessel proves to me that this clown was not only dangerous to those around him but arrogant to boot. Unfortunately, in this case the essential rules laid out by Darwin didn't just remove this clowns genes from the pool but also killed one innocent and nearly two more. Sorry for the strong sentiments but my feelings on this matter are based in real life losses and I am glad I no longer share the waters with such a "great sailor."

[pokerrick1]

Wind will always change the surface look of the water.

Grady - - - I'm not trying to jump all over you - - - - really I'm not - - - this SOUNDS like great fun - - - but this is my point exactly - - - my question was how can you tell there is no wind coming WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY - - - and all of us sailors know the wind can change quickly and without warning - - - creating a disaster

Fair winds and be safe

Rick

[Catigale]

I've read here from Colorado sailors that you can experience masses of air that drop from above you and suddenly put you in 50 knots. Could make for a long swim

David hit the nail on the head that this skipper killed two people and likely traumatized two more