Catalina 30 Missing Off Atlantic Coast

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by mjscottinnc

I’m interested in hearing from captain and crew first. Everything else at this point is just noise.

Good luck with that. We're still waiting for Rebel Heart to start posting again and hold a Q&A session.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by thomm225

You don't need engineering knowledge of batteries to make your sailboat move or to cross an ocean.

In most cases, this is only true if nothing breaks. The vessel is dependent, to some degree, on a working electrical system. Boats are dependent on electricity for lighting, navigation, communications, in many cases watermaking or at least getting the water out of the tank, pumping the bilge, pumping the head, and in an increasing number of cases, sail handling.

You can operate some of that gear manually, you can use flashlights, you can use handheld radios and GPS, you can pump the bilge by hand. To do that over a protracted period of time, including at night in poor conditions, is difficult even for an accomplished sailor.

How are you going to hold a course on a dark, cloudy night with no autopilot and no electrical system? How long will your flashlight batteries last? How are you going to put in the second reef in the dark with no autopilot and no spreader lights?

On an electricity-dependent boat, being able to patch and bypass and at least get some of the electrical system to work after an outage is a critical skill.


The nonelectric boat, deliberate record-setting feats aside, requires more crew, well-practiced skills that most lack, oil navigation ligths, an oil binnacle light, and a properly stocked chart table.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by chrisr

...and who decides what is negligent or foolish ?

Usually the media or cruisers forum members.

[boatman61]

Hence why one gets more abandonments due to an over reliance on electronic gadgets and a dislike of good Seamanship and 'camping'..

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Jammer

In most cases, this is only true if nothing breaks. The vessel is dependent, to some degree, on a working electrical system. Boats are dependent on electricity for lighting, navigation, communications, in many cases watermaking or at least getting the water out of the tank, pumping the bilge, pumping the head, and in an increasing number of cases, sail handling.

You can operate some of that gear manually, you can use flashlights, you can use handheld radios and GPS, you can pump the bilge by hand. To do that over a protracted period of time, including at night in poor conditions, is difficult even for an accomplished sailor.

How are you going to hold a course on a dark, cloudy night with no autopilot and no electrical system? How long will your flashlight batteries last? How are you going to put in the second reef in the dark with no autopilot and no spreader lights?

On an electricity-dependent boat, being able to patch and bypass and at least get some of the electrical system to work after an outage is a critical skill.


The nonelectric boat, deliberate record-setting feats aside, requires more crew, well-practiced skills that most lack, oil navigation ligths, an oil binnacle light, and a properly stocked chart table.

First thing you need to think about is how many of these so-called sailors are rescued because they have no power. You see that a lot meaning they are poor sailors or someone is tired of the conditions

You simply don't need power to sail your boat..... especially just to get in after a problem.

Secondly, are you forgetting about the history of sailing?

It's not something like flying that was recently understand. Folks have been sailing for 1000 years, much more actually.

My first 5 sailboats had no power what so ever. I did 100 miles races on 2 of them and yes sometimes we would be out until 3 am and with no lights.

Before folks start complaining about me having no lights and sailing at night after the fist time I bought some glow in the dark red and green light sticks to tie onto the shrouds of my beach cats

More sailors/cruisers should learn to sail on an engineless/powerless boat.

Btw my degree is BA History, but my trade is as electronics/computer tech or was until I became a manager of techs

[s/v Jedi]

Only if you eat beans cold straight from the cans and navigate by sextant and hourglass can you be a real seaman

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Only if you eat beans cold straight from the cans and navigate by sextant and hourglass can you be a real seaman

Rich Bugga.. all I got was hard tack, on Sundays we got protein rich food.. The hardtack with maggots..

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Rich Bugga.. all I got was hard tack, on Sundays we got protein rich food.. The hardtack with maggots..

Lucky you! Ours only came with weevils!

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Only if you eat beans cold straight from the cans and navigate by sextant and hourglass can you be a real seaman

I have a propane hot plate so I can fry my potatoes and onions or heat up my beans if I lose power!

My point is don't forget the sails. They can move the boat and many times get you in even when power is lost.

In the past, I have run on a single battery but now with two 6 volt deep cycle batteries I don't have that option so I guess if one fails I'll be sailing in without the autopilot.

I can use my anchor lantern for light though......

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Rich Bugga.. all I got was hard tack, on Sundays we got protein rich food.. The hardtack with maggots..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiikxU_fD7M

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Lucky you! Ours only came with weevils!

So did ours, the maggots came from the officers salt pork.

[JPA Cate]

So far as I am aware, thomm225 has never been on an overnight passage, or a multi-day passage at sea, and neither has Jammer. Jedi and Boatman 61 have many, many such.

I was surprised to find how much ambient light there is after dark, and I think most people would probably be surprised how well you can see most nights at sea. Just my opinion, but I don't think reefing the main would be a big challenge on a Catalina 30 in the dark, if you were already familiar with it. You can tell what you're doing by feel, and some vision. I don't think the absence of spreader lights or a forward deck light would be prohibitive. You might want to be more careful, might need to harness up, but I think one could manage without electricity. If the situation was not reparable at sea. Of course, one would prefer to be able to show nav. lights. If you have a kerosene lantern, it might do for the all around white, about the minimum, so people could avoid you... And, if you have a hand bearing compass, some of them have their own light so you can read them.

The essence is to figure out what you have that you can use to make the journey more pleasant. It really helps if you understand mechanics and electrics.

Ann

[Snore]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

So far as I am aware, thomm225 has never been on an overnight passage, or a multi-day passage at sea, and neither has Jammer. Jedi and Boatman 61 have many, many such.



Ann

Still cleaning the coffee off my screen!!! Thanks for the chuckle

[hpeer]

IF (big if) news reports are to be believed it seems they left Cape May and made their way to Oregon Inlet. At least 3 possible routes.
Outside to Norfolk and then ICW
Outside to Oregon inlet then in.
Up Delaware, Down Chesapeake to Norfolk the out or in to Oregon Inlet.

Oregon Inlet, as noted above, is not friendly.
Oregon Inlet to Beaufort is 2 to 3 day EASY ICW trip.

Why oh why would anyone go out Oregon Inlet instead of heading at least to Beaufort?

Right there are some pretty serious reasons question the crews decision making.

[boatman61]

Regarding Jammers question about reefing sans autopilot.. that's simple turn to windward reduce headsail to 50%, slacken mainsheet and she'll steer herself while you drop and reef the main.
As for steering at night without electrics, if solo one doesn't, one heaves to and lashes the tiller then goes below to grab a bite and a hot drink then crash till dawn..
Wake at first light, knock up some breakies and a coffee then back on course and steer till dark..
Repeat till one reaches port.
Simple really..
And yes Ann, its never to dark to reef without electrics.