Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

[tommays]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

I am glad your thinking for your self and giving it some thought



To give you a bit more to think about the real issue is diving deep into a wave and taking on water which cant be pumped out fast enough


I own a 20' powerboat which is more or less a nice big bathtub waiting to collect water if i make a mistake. The design makes it hard for that water to get to the bilge pumps at which point i have a whole LOT of weight in the boat . The boat is now in great danger as the extra weight now makes it really easy for the next wave to get in


I also own a 24' sailboat which short of knocking a giant hole in it has no place to take on water even with waves breaking directly on the deck due to the design and water tight comparments

BUT the sails are for racing only so even with its ocean rating i only use it near shore and am having one of the sets of sails reworked buy a sailmaker to allow the needed offshore saftey

 

[slia67]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

Check out this thread: http://www.trailerboats.com/output.cfm?id=974251&sectionid=316

Also go the the destination section and do a search on Bimini Island. If you guys decide to go, be safe and good luck.


Doug

 

[ck85abc3]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

Keep us updated on what happends.

I have no ocean experience, but it sounds like you will make it if you decide to go. The problem is, what if the weather turns bad when the forcast says good? Sure, you will most likely have a blast, but is it worth a 1 in 100 chance you will die?

Also, if the weather does not turn out for the return trip, can you guys stay for an extra week? Or two if needed?

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

I give your buds a fifty-fifty chance of making it there on a good day with calm seas and a thirty-seventy chance of making it back without outside rescue.

Not the odds I would accept. Even at two thousand hours of experience with the same boat, their lack of planning speaks volumes as to thier ability to do this safely. Anyone that willingly ships with them is literally in the same boat. Natural selection is all I can say about people like that. I hope no one that comes to their aid will be harmed.

If they make it and razz you about your reluctance, just remember the famous last words of the redneck, "hold my beer: Hey fellas, watch this!"

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

Weather Weather Weather. Some facts:

1. NOAA's marine forecast is not very accurate and 2-3' seas often change to advisories in an instant.

2. 3 of the 4 main forecast models used are processed around 11 AM and 11 PM ET. By the time the NWS analyzes the models and updates the forecast, it is around 3AM or 3PM. You can view easy to read raw models using this site by clicking on the links:

NGM Model
NAM/Wrf Model
GFS/Avn Model
GFSx/MRF Model

(all models use zulu time...12z=7AM...00z=7PM)

http://weather.unisys.com/

3. Always check real-time NOAA buoy data
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/


I will admit it sounds like a cool challenge, but I would not be doing it in that boat. Thats like taking a Mustang to the arctic circle without the drowning danger.

 

[fishmen111]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

Boatingtails, listen to these guys. They know what they are talking about.

90m miles eh?

30 mph= a three hour tour........the last note worthy 3 hour tour had a fearless crew, and were still talking about them

Tell the Skipper, Mary Ann and Giligan we said hi. Especially Mary Ann.........

 

[boatingtails]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

I told the guys I am not going on this trip. I passed on all the facts. They are still going. I rented them a EPIRB as a replacement to myself.

 

[INJUN]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

Smart move.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

I told the guys I am not going on this trip. I passed on all the facts. They are still going. I rented them a EPIRB as a replacement to myself.

You did the right thing even if they make the round trip successfully. I know it is hard to say no to this adventure but there is way too much to risk. If your friend does try to make it I really hope they make it back safe. Maybe to have enough weather to give them an idea of how close they are to a swamped boat in just one wave...

 

[country_bumpkin]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

Boatingtails, listen to these guys. They know what they are talking about.



Tell the Skipper, Mary Ann and Giligan we said hi. Especially Mary Ann.........

I was always a Ginger Fan.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

Good Call, Tails !!!

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

Yes, a very good decision. What you have just shown us is the difference between mature, reasoned behavior and immature, impulsive behavior. As one who participates in search and rescue missions, I can tell you that these things very often are the deciding factors in determining whether a day on the water becomes a story of the great time that was had, or becomes a nighmare that the family left behind, never quite gets over.

 

[ck85abc3]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

So, what's the result?

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

The result is probably that his bros made it, and no one died, and they will hound him forever for making what was still a smart choice.

Sometimes fools get lucky. The real question is - for how long?

 

[cordell]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

I say he went! lol

cordell

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Need Expert Advice on Saftey of a trip - Novice here - Help

I think it all depends on how well the driver knows the boat and how he will drive it in rough waves. I personally think I could make the trip in my 19' bowrider (if it held enough gas) just because I know the boat like the back of my hand have know how to drive it. And i've read stories of people making that trip in jetski's and smaller sized boats... but, that doens't make it smart. I say if you have a few other boats to go with you, then it would help raise the safety factor