9' Chubby Girl Under Tow by CG

[thomm225]

Chubby Girl Cruising – My Blog

[gamayun]

At least he's safe. I was at Berkeley Marine Center a few weeks ago just before he set sail on Chubby Girl. It's hard to imagine her size and living in that for a couple of months. Reminded me of sleeping in my closest when I was a kid but without the throwing up and constant soaking of sea water.

[Spot]

I am glad he is safe and the boat is not scuttled. I am surprised they did not send something out that could lift the whole 9 feet of boat out of the water as its hull speed is only going to be 3 kts or something less for towing back. My PDR is only 8 feet so I am trying to imagine 2 of those joined together by flipping one over and being inside that, full of food and water, for 60 days...

[flee27]

He did a podcast before he left on Out The Gate Sailing podcast. Interesting listen.

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR...EegQIDBAI&ep=6

Foster

[Franziska]

Makes me think about Sven Yrvind and of course Gerry Spieß with Yankee Girl. Still remember reading about Yankee Girl when I was a kid in 1981...
There are some interesting folks on this planet!

[barnakiel]

Yes. Such a huge disappointment. But I am happy the guy is alive! Too bad his boat would not sail.



He may try again later, perhaps next year.


Also Yrvind departed Horta and sailing now to Madeira.



Meanwhile Yann Quenet has arrived in New Cal. I think 33 days out of FP. Awesome.



b.

[Jim Cate]

I have sympathy with him and his disappointment, but have to think that some more testing in near shore bigger seas would have been a good idea. All of the issues that he has mentioned would likely have been present and the return trip for repair and upgrading would have been a bit easier.

I'm kinda surprised that the CG is towing him rather than simply rescuing him as is their usual procedure. Surprised, but also glad even though I am not much in favour of such record setting attempts.

Finally, do remember that back in the early 70s (I think) a couple of survival experts managed to get from SF to Hawaii in an inflatable with no sail rig. The details are hazy, but I do remember that they made it, and then set up a business selling marine survival gear in the Bay Area, and then sponsored the very first single hand Farallones race.

As Ann often says, there's a lot of crazyness in the world!

Jim

[barnakiel]

I think he would have made it if he had only one choice.


The fact that the boat does not sail made his decision easier, I think. He was still close to the shore when things started getting real.


Our mistakes are part of the bigger process. I bet he will improve the boat and then try again.


I selfishly wish he had kept on going (I watched his show) but I am very glad to know he is alive, safe and in port.


b.

[sailingabe41ds]

I am new here and never heard of this story till now. I am 61 in a 41 foot boat and I fear that by the time I am this guys age I may not be able to sail! Good for him.
Just wondering ... is he financially responsible for the towing and rescue? He says he will do this again....will the CG get involved before his next trip ?
Not trying to make trouble ...just wondering how the system works. Hopefully he had SeaTow.....
Abe

[barnakiel]

I do not know US situation. In other countries (some of them) you pay for towing.


Saving lives is free, saving equipment is not.



barnakiel

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by sailingabe41ds

I am new here and never heard of this story till now. I am 61 in a 41 foot boat and I fear that by the time I am this guys age I may not be able to sail! Good for him.
Just wondering ... is he financially responsible for the towing and rescue? He says he will do this again....will the CG get involved before his next trip ?
Not trying to make trouble ...just wondering how the system works. Hopefully he had SeaTow.....
Abe

Pay the CG for towing?? Really?

I doubt he could afford to pay for the cost of a ship full of Coast Guard personnel plus the fuel, and the time it took, etc, etc.

That would be paid for by the taxpayers.

The money it took was already funded (spent) anyway.

[sailingabe41ds]

So excuse my ignorance...again. I have to pay for SeaTow annually just in case I get stuck out there and need a tow. I understand the first time going out and an emergency happened. But how many times should he be allowed to do this before the CG stops him from going out again on a boat that appears to be unseaworthy to cross the Pacific and have others risks there own lives for this guys dream?

[Franziska]

The Coast Guard is very often on training missions and a rescue like this may become part of it if the cutter in question is not needed on another crucial mission at the very same moment.

[SalingSue]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I do not know US situation. In other countries (some of them) you pay for towing.


Saving lives is free, saving equipment is not.



barnakiel

He paid them.
He’s been paying for that tow since he earned his first paycheck as a kid, he’ll be paying for that tow till the day he dies, he’ll actually be paying for it in the grave as the cost of his casket is taxed as well as “death tax” for his kids.

[Steve Bean]

Yesterday, Friday, I saw "Chubby Girl" on a trailer leaving the Monterey Bay Boatworks yard.