Excellent video. Thank you! As far as the safety line, I personally prefer a hard line just long enough to keep me in the boat. The thought of being dragged to my death by my own boat is not very appealing.
A safety line should stop you from going overboard. If you do go over it’s safer to float away than to be dragged. The key is probably to have more than one line of differing lengths for doing different jobs. I have personally never been a fan of any bungee types either, especially if they’re sheathed. You can’t really see the condition. A good piece of nylon rope spliced with a hard eye each end with the big clip hooks is ideal. You can always see the condition it’s in and it can be pulled against without too much stretch.
Personally I wouldnt be stepping off the boat on to shore of any king while still attached. You put yourself in danger of getting trapped tween boat and pontoon/quayside if you overbalance under tension from the boat. If conditions are that bad on the pontoon STAY PUT, STAY SAFE
@@Morningvicar Re. your new, shorter line, can I ask how long it is, and where you got it? I've just ordered a 1.5m line (couldn't find anything shorter). But now wondering if that's the same length you've got in this video, and whether it will still be too long to stop me falling off. I agree with you (as you mention above) that the most important thing is to not go over the side in the first place. Tricky thing to arrange on our small boats...
@@tobygoessailing hi Toby, sorry for the delay, I’ve been on another mini adventure.😊. Mine is 1.5m fully extended, I haven’t got a shorter one yet but on today’s evidence, my existing line will keep me inside the cockpit so I’m sticking with it.
@@Morningvicar No problem. A mini adventure sounds good. ⛵ I've decided my 1.5m line is too long, so I might experiment with some rope plus eyes & clips instead.
I am still not convinced being attached to the boat when single handed with the chance of being draged alongi n the water . Attached so you can not enter water is fine . I got a temo backtow jacket but convinced it will be no help if I was on my own . Once back tow activated I will be able to breath but what then ....will give me time to think about it . Good or bad. . With crew aboard can see the back tow benifits
So what is the likliehood of the Shrimper capsizing? Is she more of a yacht than a dinghy? I sail the Drascombe Lugger, which I think you had before? so it would be useful to know the difference. The Lugger's very stable and seaworthy, but essentially still a big dinghy that can be capsized or swamped in the wrong weather. I choose a PFD for that reason, as solo, I need to be able to self rescue myself which is difficult in a fully inflated life jacket. I made some life lines for the Lugger but got an absolute hammering for making them form a lot of people saying all they would do is drag me under the boat if capsized. However on a bigger boat where the risk of falling out are a lot greater than capsizing then I think they're a good idea. All you have to do is slip and if the boat is being steered or motoring then its gone!!
From what I have read, there has only been one recorded incident of a Shrimper being knocked down. This was as a result of a low hovering helicopter overhead. By all accounts, the boat was knocked flat to the water. It immediately righted as soon as the helicopter left. Water entered the cockpit but none entered the open hatch. In my experience, the boat stiffens up with very little heal and when pushed will just screw up into wind. I have never been close to thinking it would capsize; it very much feels like a yacht rather than a dinghy and takes a lot of effort to get the leeward rail in the water (the kids try this often!) I’ve never owned a Drascombe but have sailed a few, the experience with a Shrimper is very different.
Yep. Really sensible to have a leash/safety line, even when sailing with crew. The previous owner put in extra tether points by the cockpit drains on either side and under the companion-way seat. These, together with a three point safety line, mean its possible to quickly extend and shorten the line when moving about. Keeping it short when static reduces the risk of being washed out when rogue waves can dump into the cockpit unannounced.
Thank you for this video. In France, the SNSM (rescues teams) say that you must not fell off the boat... even with a safety line. They say that it is very difficult to go back on board when you are alone. So I would say as "redsnappersadler" may be a shorter line ?🙂Sorry for my english mistakes...
Hi Paul, some great tips thank you. Do you have a first aid kit on board, also I think having a knife that is easily accessible for any crew is a good idea.
Thanks Jim. I was told off by my wife for not showing the extensive first aid kit that she has assembled. A safety knife and pliers are next to the radio 👍
My main concern is getting back in the boat, getting in over the stern can be not too bad if you have an outboard you can use as a step, trying to board from the side might be a different matter.
Agreed. i can climb over the stern without a massive struggle but I'm planning to put a couple of folding mast steps on the rudder to make it easier. From the side may be a little more difficult, i'm waiting for some warmer weather to try it with the safety line. The best way OFC is to tow the dinghy, getting aboard from there is easy.
