Boating Alone

Robert H. Wilkinson · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 9:34 pm Post subject:

Dennis, lots of good advise here only a few things I might add.

1/ Do a test transmission on your VHF every trip out.

2/ Test fire the kicker. I had my 16' bowrider out on Lake Erie in some rather unfavorable conditions(younger and braver days). I knew I would be in trouble rather quickly if the main lost power so I had a second fuel line hooked up to the kicker, fuel bulb primed and choke on so it just had to be deployed and a quick pull to start.

3/Don't know if you have a windlass but going to the bow to anchor in an emergency and unfavorable conditions is risky at the best of times especially when solo. Due to heart issues and getting dizzy after bending down I have my boat rigged to deploy the anchor from the cockpit. Once hooked up it pulls from the bow eye then is retrieved from the cockpit.

Regards,

Rob

hardee · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 11:33 pm Post subject:

colbysmith · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 2:15 pm Post subject:

Lots of good advice here. Just my two cents here. I do a lot of solo boating when my wife isn't along. Sometimes that solo boating is with other boats, sometimes completely by myself. I think a lot of it comes down to confidence and what you are comfortable with. I don't have the MOB or Kill switch system. However, I do have a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) and remind myself how many fellows have fallen overboard pissing over the side. Most the time I wear an inflatable life vest when I am in the cockpit or walking the gunnels to the bow. I let somebody know where I am, and many times fill out a personal float plan. I have both the swim platform ladder and a front bow ladder. The swim platform ladder can be extended from the water. As for launching and loading, either the 22 or 25 have been no problem to do solo. Many places I go, even when not with a boating buddy, have other boats around. While I have an AIS transmitter on my boat that is tracked by some ground stations that my wife can access online, several I know have the In Reach satallite system and subscription to tracking services that anybody with their internet link can follow. They can also send and receive text messages from their devices. Colby

Foggy · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 8:38 am Post subject:

Opinions provide practical information, sometimes.

I prefer more objective data.

According to published* USCG 2019 Recreational Boating Statistics (Pg 46),
of cases reported (thereby unreported cases absent), under the heading of
"Number of Persons on Board, One", reports boating this way results in:

Highest number of vessels involved (>1800)

Highest number of deaths (244)

Second highest number of injuries (588)

Along with a multitude of other factors causing mishaps/injuries/mortality,
the report also shows smaller boats have significantly more common
number of deaths in this size range (< 26') than large vessels (Pg 32).

* https://www.uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2019.pdf

Be safe out there and know before you go.

Aye.

NORO LIM · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 9:06 am Post subject:

Objective data is good. Search for "leading causes of boating deaths" or anything similar. Digging into the (sea)weeds can be interesting. With respect to smaller boats, in particular, too many people on board is often more of a problem than too few. While data is not always available, and determining causes after the fact can be speculative, you are likely to find that alcohol is most often cited as the chief problem. Talk to a Coast Guard guy.

Foggy · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 9:29 am Post subject:

Alcohol caused more deaths. Operator inattention caused more accidents (Pg 7).

This report shows the number of deaths, of all boat sizes, actually goes down with
more people on board.

Credible reports from credible agencies probably yield more significant knowledge
compared to talking to any one individual.

Aye.

NORO LIM · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 10:18 am Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 3:34 pm Post subject:

What Foggy left out is the % of deaths in Cabin motor boats: 4% to 8%, Open motor boats about 50%, Canoe and Kayak 20%, PWC 10%.

Also persons who have formal education by CG Aux, or Power Squadron have low # of deaths and injuries.

NORO LIM · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 3:57 pm Post subject:

Yes, boating is more or less dangerous depending on a very wide array of factors. I assume (perhaps mistakenly) an above average safety-consciousness among C-Dory owners as compared to the general boating population out of which come the data for the CG reports. Bob makes an excellent point. I think our boats themselves are probably safer than many of the boats that make up that data.

I think having two or more people on the boat can be safer, but it depends entirely on who the people are. Are they safety-conscious themselves? Do they panic easily? Are they in good health and physical condition. Can they operate the boat, use the radio, perform man-overboard rescues? Do they drink?

There are many things a safety-conscious person in a safe boat can do to reduce risk. When I think of all the things I should do to be safe on a boat, having another person on board is way down the list. This thread is a very good index to many of the things that should be considered when soloing, but most of those things apply whenever you are boating.

Foggy · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 4:11 pm Post subject:

Actually, I left out a lot more than that but covered irrelevants in saying "Along
with a multitude of other factors causing mishaps/injuries/mortality...".
The web reference allows anyone to read about the many factors and how they
may be mentioned as causal, either alone or in combination with other factors.
These were purposely omitted as not pertinent.

My original response appropriately addressed "Boating Alone". I added deaths
attributed to smaller vessels since this does apply to C-Dorys and many
participants on this site.

I invite anyone interested to read the report and draw your own conclusions.

Aye.

garyf · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2021 5:39 am Post subject:

South of Heaven · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2021 8:26 am Post subject:

I boated ALONE for a long time and loved it. I never felt scared or intimidated but I'm a very independent person. I really enjoyed it too and felt a sense of accomplishment when I'd pull into new places (especially marinas or moorings). The only thing I never got comfortable with was anchoring alone overnight. I would always get a mooring or Marina slip.

Now I'm married and my boating alone days will probably be few and far between but I still cherish those memories

hardee · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2021 7:10 pm Post subject:

In 1500 hours plus of boating alone I don't think there are many things I would do different if/when I have a guest(S) on board. I am just probably more concentrated, slower, and more diligent in pre-planning every move when I am alone. In my case, the is no alcohol or drugs on board, and I always have my PLB on my PFD and always have the MOB+ on my wrist. Also, NEVER climb on the gunnel to pee. (as a partial quote of Winston Churchill said, " Never, Never, Never ")

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

bridma · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2021 8:58 pm Post subject:

I have been in and on boats for 60 years. Have seen a lot of stupid things and have friends who still do stupid things. Too much alcohol, not wearing a PFD in the dink, especially after dark is always a concern.
Best single message I have read on this topic is Harvey's. I have also been on Harvey's boat and had a run down on boating solo.
Take Harvey's advice plus the best info from the other messages and you will always be boating tomorrow.

Martin.

hardee · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2021 10:56 pm Post subject:

Martin, You are making me blush Embarassed

Thank you and hope to catch up one of these days.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon