So a lack of PROPER maintenance?

Which is worse?

It happened to me on my first trip into the ocean on my first Hobie 18. My crew dropped off the side, it was an experience that taught me a lesson about life jackets as it became clear to me just how easy it was to lose sight of someone and how long it can sometimes take to double back and pick them up.

If you think one trap fail sucks....

http://youtu.be/wYFDf0HhOHM

Here was my little misadventure last month at Tradewinds. I think I have the dubious honor of being the only sailor to take an unintended swim that weekend. Fortunately, no damage and the water was warm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RExuf_WlbRs

My trap hook had some kind of spring clip retainer. When I went out, the hook/clip must have been just resting on the edge of the ring. As soon as I put weight on it, splash. Needless to say the clip was removed.

My crew's first instinct with the main sheet wasn't quite spot on either... Later, trying to uncleat the center-sheeted main from in the water was a real PITA.

I've never thought about that. Taking the cleat off is the answer there I'd think.

First thing I do with a new harness. As long as your bunji system is functioning properly, it keeps upward tension on the dogbone and the keeper isn't necessary. It's more of a liability in my opinion.

Yeah, but capsizes are inevitable.

(edit)- I was talking about the mainsheet.

Oh....I cleat the mainsheet all the time. I'm wimpy. I adjust it a lot but I do give myself breaks with the cleat. However, I'm johnny on the freakin spot with the uncleating flick at all times.

I don't think your crew was going to be able to get to the main sheet before he was sliding down the trampoline anyway - he didn't have many options.

Can't you just reach around the rear beam while standing on the hull that's in the water to uncleat the main?

Center sheeting is pretty centered

Aaaaa...I see. Crew had hold of the mainsheet before all this began...gotcha.

Yeah - I had just transferred the main sheet to Collin (my son) and he hadn't uncleated it yet. First thing he did was drop it when I went trolling for sharks. Kind of a knee-jerk thing he won't do again (I hope).

After I got back to the boat, I could easily release the traveler, but couldn't get enough leverage to release the main while I was bobbing in the water. I ended up climbing up and basically stood on the main sheet reeves between the blocks (is that the right description?) to get close enough to release the main. Didn't want to put any weight on the boom for fear of bending it.

First time with center sheeting. I kinda liked it except in this situation.

Gilo - what happened here? Trapeze shackle at the top give way?

Props to Collin for a nearly perfect crew maneuver - didn't get wet until he stepped off. AND didn't go through the main unlike Tad's little vid at Hagar's


And you're little pirouette wasn't bad either. Stick not broken, didn't hurt yourself, and the boat didn't sail too far without you...


Yeah, ditch the keeper on your harness hook. Seems no good comes of that thing. Either hangs you up when trying to get out, or doesn't get you hooked in correctly.

Thanks Jay - only concern with his dismount was losing connection with the boat. Had it been much windier, we both woulda been swimming for a while. He was also PO'd for losing his sunglasses. He could see them slowly sinking, but it was either the boat or the glasses - fortunately he made the right choice