Amazing. Extreme conditions, coupled with serious exhaustion.
Southern Cross
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Re: Southern Cross
Certainly inability to anchor is a huge factor as the type of journey/boat/area demands it for a single hander. I presume the plan was to sit out bad weather or make a run for shelter at the first sign of it relying on previous experience in fresh breezes if caught out but no one is ready for 60-70 knots of wind in a Scamp. All good planning except the kelp was not anticipated and I would imagine that it was incredibly tough conditions for any boat or sailor so a lot of credit to Mr Rice. The fact remains though you are not going anywhere much except with it when its 30kts in a Scamp, beyond that it would be terrifying especially on a lee shore. There is no escaping the fact it is a short high wooded unballasted craft with a lot of unnecessary windage. As I mentioned in one discussion about SC, why the mizzen? In my view its not practical. Looks nice, but the lug as drawn by John a very sweet rig for those windy conditions, you simply don't need a mizzen.
Futhermore, the extreme conditions are not unusual in that area, in fact its par for the course so perhaps you are correct, SC may have been too heavy to drag up a beach (like a sailing canoe) and too small to weather a blow. Maybe in that area its best to be one or the other?
Lucky? For sure, but to a large extent he made his own luck by being prepared.
John WelsfordAn expert is but a beginner with experience.Comment
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Re: Southern Cross
Just remember that a 2500 ton Navy Patrol boat, specifically designed and built for operation in that area, had to seek shelter and was several times that night unable to be steered because of the intensity of the winds. This was, by the Navys own description, a very unusual event, and one which sank another yacht further south. Howards tactics of staying close to shore, anchoring in the nooks and crannies where there might be shelter, worked out in the end. The boat was rolled but not wrecked, he was blown off the boat and away from it, he had sufficient gear in his ditch bag to survive the night and to signal by beacon then by flares, had food, a means of providing some insulation, a means of starting fire and extra clothing plus was wearing a very high tech drysuit designed for those conditions.
Lucky? For sure, but to a large extent he made his own luck by being prepared.
John WelsfordWithout freedom of speech, we wouldn't know who the idiots are.Comment
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Re: Southern Cross
This point cannot be emphasized enough.And for those who still do not "get it", the difference is Howard telling the story, and not being flown home in a body bag.Comment
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An expert is but a beginner with experience.Comment
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Re: Southern Cross
Just remember that a 2500 ton Navy Patrol boat, specifically designed and built for operation in that area, had to seek shelter and was several times that night unable to be steered because of the intensity of the winds. This was, by the Navys own description, a very unusual event, and one which sank another yacht further south. Howards tactics of staying close to shore, anchoring in the nooks and crannies where there might be shelter, worked out in the end. The boat was rolled but not wrecked, he was blown off the boat and away from it, he had sufficient gear in his ditch bag to survive the night and to signal by beacon then by flares, had food, a means of providing some insulation, a means of starting fire and extra clothing plus was wearing a very high tech drysuit designed for those conditions.
Lucky? For sure, but to a large extent he made his own luck by being prepared.
John WelsfordComment
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Re: Southern Cross
The Navy personnel in Puerto Williams have been to see the little boat, sitting on her shipping cradle on the dock at the ferry terminal where she will be loaded in a few hours, they're amazed and very complimentary at how well the boat was equipped, how much thought had gone into her and how well she'd coped to get so far in what has been an exceptionally poor summer.
Am I proud? You bet I am.
John WelsfordAn expert is but a beginner with experience.Comment
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