Down wind in strong conditions

[Bobsquatch]

Wow! The only foil was the trampoline, dragging a sea anchor of full mast and sails and it still almost got past you.

It is always good to reflect on unusual situations if only to remind us how quickly things can go South. We or at least I tend to get comfortable when things are too good for too long. It is wise to remember how dangerous this game can be.

[Jimmyt]

The key to your plan was catching the boat after it motored away for however long it took to run the gas out of the hose. I would not assume it's going to go straight upwind and straight back while you hold a fixed position. I would also not assume that it's going to be going really slow when it comes back by. I'm not an alarmist, just trying to help you hone your plan.

It's just my long-winded way of agreeing that a drag line was a good idea based on personal experience. It was nothing like I imagine your typical sailing environment in San Diego. It was a summer day with warm (bathtub) water, relatively shallow, very gradual depth change. The dad might have been tall enough to stand with his head above water and bob the wave height. The guy was a novice sailor on someone else's boat. I could see them getting in trouble when the wind picked up. He headed up to try to keep her on her feet, but came too far up. He was losing forward motion and steerage. The waves would push the nose back and the cleated sheets would cause the windward hull to lift precariously as the nose fell off. Made a cycle or two before it went all the way over. Hard to watch with small kids on board. Only bright spot was the kids all had on life jackets and just bobbed along until the neighbors rounded them up.

Sails were cleated, mast wasn't much resistance. It went over, the mast tip planted, the tramp went around it, and off it went. I was surprised how well it was moving, but it was blowing pretty good.

I was born and raised on the gulf coast. Can you really handle 56 deg water for hours? I would be a Jimsicle after 15 minutes.

[Bobsquatch]

Yeah Jimmy, I know I'm gambling big time if I end up in the water. Always assume that if you go into the water unplanned you may stay there. I have an auto pilot that fairly reliably holds into the wind. The fuel line holds 5 minutes of fuel plus or minus. Presumably I would have used a significant amount of that time before I hit the water. When the engine dies and the boat falls off the wind the auto pilot will go hard over to correct. This (should) slow it down a bunch hopefully giving me a chance to intercept it. Odds are way better with a drag line. I am also confident that I could swim 10 miles in any water over 60 degrees depending on current and sea conditions.

I will admit it has been over 10 years since I've endured 56 degrees for any length of time. I used to surf several times a week and have never used a wet suit. In the winter mid 50s water temperatures are normal here and I never shyed away. If the surfing was good I would stay out 2-3 hours if it was sunny (makes a big difference) You can tell when your core starts to drop and head in before you start to shake. If you're shivering, it's time to go. Skin gets bright pink like a sunburn. The worst part is walking back to camp. Your feet are made of stone. They are numb and hurt at the same time. (No booties) The best part is other shocked surfers all dolled up in hooded wet suits and booties saying "I can't believe you are skinning it in this!"

I have also made significant improvements to my 100% organic hybrid survival suit since then so I am considerably less athletic. I am working on that this year. I'm adding more fiberous material to the inside. Mostly plant based materials.

[kurz]

When you thinking so far why not using a remote control for the AP, so you could conduct your boat back to you... maybe...

[Bobsquatch]

When you thinking so far why not using a remote control for the AP, so you could conduct your boat back to you... maybe...

Mostly because I don't have a remote. I also don't know if they are waterproof. The last issue would be, how well I could control it. I would hate to miss a badly steered fast moving boat when I could have swam to intercept a slower semi hove to boat drifting lazily by.

Let's remember I am not going to be doing this in high winds or seas. This is only for me goofing around on a nice clear day or I would not risk it. I wont even do it without a few hours of good light left. I bet its pretty lonely bobbing around in the dark. We call that feeding time when surfing. A whole new experience a few miles from shore

[buck_justice]

Besides the obvious, there are other benefits to the drag line and float set up. I can tell how fast I’m going by the way my float is responding. I use a smallish boat fender and it starts to submerge right about 4.kts not very deep, I also gauge the wake.
If I’m making way and it’s 90* to the boat the I know there is one heck of a current. and if it’s passing me I need to trim the sails! I crack myself up!

[Jimmyt]

Sorry Bobsquatch. I missed the part about you not trying this when it's blowing like stink. Good day, light winds, probably a whole lot better than not pulling the gas line...

I don't know how you managed surfing in those temps without a suit! You are a lot tougher than I am!

Buck-justice: if your drag line is passing you... You're cracking me up too!