One off-shore safety item you may want to consider is a man-overboard-pole (MOB pole). While PLB's can be lifesaving when someone goes overboard, under adverse conditions (low light or confused seas) it is often difficult to spot someone in the water. Also, unlike the secured life rings you already have, a MOB pole is free of the boat and is released as soon as a crew goes overboard. These floating markers usually rise 5' or more above the surface and are fitted with a high visibility pennant at the top of the pole. The MOB pole is generally accessorized with a life ring or horse shoe float. For night use, it is also advisable to attach a floating strobe light to the system. This type of safety device is most useful on a crewed vessel, but can also be helpful in a man overboard situation for a cruising couple.
Looks like you guys are headed the right direction. The only thing I see missing, or at least unmentioned, is a knife. You both should have a sharp knife, preferably with a blunt tip and serrated. Getting tangled in lines and dragged over board is a rough way to go.
A skipper of a yacht in the Sydney to Hobart race this year fell overboard and his guys on his own yacht found him, bit of luck in rough seas there too . He saw the yacht coming back half a hour later and used his torch so they could see him . Had a personal locator on him . Also the spray hoods in rough seas allow you to breath, good call there you guys. Also on another note round the world race yachtsman Sir Peter Blake said " I would only use a life raft if I was stepping up onto it " . Very ugly things to be in one in rough seas.
Redundancy is paramount on boats for sure. Looks like you guys have done your homework. Those personal tracking devices would be number one for me. Also some fire suppression equipment, another must have on a boat. Maybe a written log of when to check equipment for maintenance and/or replacement. You guys have got this, good team work vibe also. Thanks
The worst thing about catamarans is if they pitch pole it could be tricky getting the dinghy deployed if you’re upside down. There is the argument for an emergency life raft. Love that you are all over the safety thing. I follow several sailing channels and amazingly there are experienced people that are pretty casual about it. Watching your boat sail off without you would be pretty depressing…
About the hood on the life jackets, you should put it on as soon as you hit the water. The wind will turn you around and in a big sea you will have waves in your face. You really want to get that hood up ASAP. Was glad to hear to talk about the crotch strap. I see so many people not wearing it and that is incredibly dangerous. If that life jacket inflates and you don’t have the crotch strap secure enough, it will be up around your head and there will be nothing you can do about it.
As for me, I like the tender as a life raft rather. What I would do is to make a foldable waterproof sun shade like the liftrafts have. I would also set up your tender with the other items that a liftraft has. I'd much rather be in a tender than a liferaft if I was lost at sea as long as I had a sun shade and that gear bag that a liftraft has. The main reason is your tender is way better built and purchasing a liftraft cost a lot of money and they don't last that long especially in the tropics. Besides, I wouldn't trust my life with one. I would however, trust my life in the tender.
One off-shore safety item you may want to consider is a man-overboard-pole (MOB pole). While PLB's can be lifesaving when someone goes overboard, under adverse conditions (low light or confused seas) it is often difficult to spot someone in the water. Also, unlike the secured life rings you already have, a MOB pole is free of the boat and is released as soon as a crew goes overboard. These floating markers usually rise 5' or more above the surface and are fitted with a high visibility pennant at the top of the pole. The MOB pole is generally accessorized with a life ring or horse shoe float. For night use, it is also advisable to attach a floating strobe light to the system. This type of safety device is most useful on a crewed vessel, but can also be helpful in a man overboard situation for a cruising couple.
Looks like you guys are headed the right direction. The only thing I see missing, or at least unmentioned, is a knife. You both should have a sharp knife, preferably with a blunt tip and serrated. Getting tangled in lines and dragged over board is a rough way to go.
Hi from Australia, just wanted to say “ You don’t need a long neck, to be a Goose “ happy sailing.
Been following you since "we bought a boat" video. Really enjoy your posts especially this one. Very instructive. Keep on posting. Happy New Year.
As a non sailor this was so interesting! And appreciate all the explanations too!
A skipper of a yacht in the Sydney to Hobart race this year fell overboard and his guys on his own yacht found him, bit of luck in rough seas there too . He saw the yacht coming back half a hour later and used his torch so they could see him . Had a personal locator on him . Also the spray hoods in rough seas allow you to breath, good call there you guys.
Also on another note round the world race yachtsman Sir Peter Blake said " I would only use a life raft if I was stepping up onto it " . Very ugly things to be in one in rough seas.
Great video guys! Hope the new year is good to you!
Cheers 🍻
-Jillian and Brian
Great video, make sure you register your EPIRB! Very important.
Redundancy is paramount on boats for sure. Looks like you guys have done your homework. Those personal tracking devices would be number one for me. Also some fire suppression equipment, another must have on a boat. Maybe a written log of when to check equipment for maintenance and/or replacement. You guys have got this, good team work vibe also. Thanks
The worst thing about catamarans is if they pitch pole it could be tricky getting the dinghy deployed if you’re upside down. There is the argument for an emergency life raft. Love that you are all over the safety thing. I follow several sailing channels and amazingly there are experienced people that are pretty casual about it. Watching your boat sail off without you would be pretty depressing…
Happy New Year to two of my favorite sailors. Cheers!
waterproof flash lights ,a good knife,jet boil ,mres, or any meal that just needs water, lighter, and baby wipes.
Happy New Year to you both. Emergency equipment is essential, and I would suggest a life raft when you can afford one. Be safe and have fun.
Instead of water bottles, have you thought about a quenchSea? It is a manual desalination device for emergencies.
Great Vid. FYI, I was able to find a used pair of Fujinon stabilized binoculars for a steep discount. Not sure if y'all have been looking at them yet.
About the hood on the life jackets, you should put it on as soon as you hit the water. The wind will turn you around and in a big sea you will have waves in your face. You really want to get that hood up ASAP. Was glad to hear to talk about the crotch strap. I see so many people not wearing it and that is incredibly dangerous. If that life jacket inflates and you don’t have the crotch strap secure enough, it will be up around your head and there will be nothing you can do about it.
You might also want to cover what safety gear is required by the Coast Guard and Insurance Agencies.
How about a handheld wind meter? (Anemometer) In case the equipment up the mast stops working.
Keep safe we do worry about you guys. We’re old
Keep the Australian EPIRB aboard your tender and the American EPIRB on the boat.
As for me, I like the tender as a life raft rather. What I would do is to make a foldable waterproof sun shade like the liftrafts have. I would also set up your tender with the other items that a liftraft has. I'd much rather be in a tender than a liferaft if I was lost at sea as long as I had a sun shade and that gear bag that a liftraft has. The main reason is your tender is way better built and purchasing a liftraft cost a lot of money and they don't last that long especially in the tropics. Besides, I wouldn't trust my life with one. I would however, trust my life in the tender.
You would still need a life raft if you intend to go offshore