Bad sailing day

[ddeaton]

Went out today in our 14' catboat. Winds were hovering around 15. Sheet has been reefed since last week. I headed into wind, made sure the main halyard was free, and the wife hoisted the gaff. I kept the outboard running, keeping her into the wind, and the boom lifted off the cradle. I fell off a little, just enough to keep the boom out of my face till I could shut the outboard off. In just that amount of time a puff drove the boom right smack in my face when I looked up from shutting the motor down. It drove my glasses into my nose and blood was running down my face. I just stayed with it and kept control until I could fire the motor back up, then dropped the main and motored back to the dock. :mad: The winds were not above our skill, just didnt feel right from the start. We always get puffs from all directions at this local lake of about 625 acres. I have to learn to keep my head down. :eek:

[Wild Wassa]

Sorry to hear it Mate.

Nothing should be taken for granted ... the involuntary gibe is the killer.

Your crew should have also had a handle on your safety, it is a bit late to say it now after the event. When my Skipper is doing his house-keeping or I'm doing mine, we watch out for each other. Drum that into your crew ... in a nice way of course.

Warren.

[bamamick]

Dad gum boats. I was telling my crew yesterday that to an entirely unbiased observer you've definitely got a case for an insanity plea. Very few people go through the angst that sailors do all in the name of a little peaceful recreation.

Hope you didn't hurt yourself too badly.

Mickey Lake

[ddeaton]

Just broke the skin on my nose, looked worse than it was. We look out for each other, this was just to darn quick for both of us. I love catboats and gaff rigs, but man the booms are long!

[Thorne]

When sailing with kids I used to rig a preventer of sorts, just some thin and breakable string/line to hold the boom in position. You risk sudden heeling, but avoid catapulting careless kiddies out into the water...

On smaller boats I go to great lengths to raise the boom above head level of those seated in the boat, but you can't always have things set up that way.

[gert]

My wood boom bonked me on the head once so hard the instructor at a nearby sailing class motored over and asked me if I was OK; must have been the hollow ringing sound (from head) that carried so far.