Support Boats in the surf - movie Chasing Mavericks

M

Montana Kev

New member
We watched this movie the other night. Not the greatest acting but if you like surfing and big wave action you may enjoy watching the trailer online, link below. The 55-foot Huli Cat, one of the film production boats, nearly got clipped on what would have been the last take, the Huli was positioned inside and was motoring out to the channel. A set came through and sent the boat launching into the air, giving all onboard the ride of their lives. It amazed us that in all the shots of the boat scenes no one had on a life jacket. Video trailer - http://www.hulu.com/watch/409784
Photos of behind the scenes - http://espn.go.com/action/photos/galler ... -mavericks

Huli_Cat_boat.jpg
 
There are some really cool photos in some of that. WOW, and some really crazy boating. That could be really interesting.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Not surprising that none of the boat crew had on life jackets. I rarely wear one--mostly when racing and had waves going over the boat--or where it is required. I have a friend who makes those kind of surfing videos, and he wears a thin life vest on his PWC (as well as a wet suit), but when in his boat, he does not unless it is extremely rough.


Mavericks is a very dangerous surfing place. Never surfed there- sailed past it and drove past a few times. There have been a number of deaths of very experienced surfers there.
 
"Mavericks"..."Pe'ahi aka Jaws"...both bad-ass. You got to have some serious cajones to even attempt to surf them. The tow-in techniques were created in Hawai'i (by Laird Hamilton and friends), then perfected for both spots and are now widely used.

Mavericks has taken Sion Milosky and Mark Foo, both from Hawai'i and both pros. I mean pros, not pro wannabes. Takes a certain dedication, commitment and person to try this stuff.

Looks like a good rental. If you have a daughter (or gran) I recommend "Soul Surfer" too. Good flick for young girls; it teaches about life, perserverence, dedication, commitment, family etc. My gran-daughter loves it. 8)
 
"Not surprising that none of the boat crew had on life jackets. I rarely wear one--mostly when racing and had waves going over the boat--or where it is required."
Click to expand...
from a few posts above.

That one surprised me. The auto inflate, suspender types are comfortable, convenient and there if you need it, but only .....If you have it on.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Go to a C brat cruise--like on Lake Powell, Catalina or the Delta--and see how many of the c Brat owners are wearing life jackets all of the time.

Also boating in the cold PNW is bit different than in the heat of the South.

Yes, we have many different type of life jackets--and wear them when appropriate. For example in the dinghy we have our belt pack life jackets on. If it is cold in AK, we may wear our custom fitted North Sports life vests (warmth, protected ribs on the sailboat in rough weather, plus floatation). If in the Caracal (open boat) we may wear the auto inflate Suspender type of life jacket. Alabama has a law that in any open boat the lanyard kill switch has to be attached to the boat operator. I have to cross into Alabama waters when I go out, so I always clip on, when running.

In the thousand or more trips we made to Catalina--life jacket was only on a very small portion of the time (for Adults--different for children).
 
Atta boy, Bob. I knew you didn't go without all the time. Frankly, I had not considered the different water temps. To paraphrase a quote from a good book, "As for me and my boat, we will all be wearing our suspenders."

And realistically, in our cold waters of the PNW, The likelihood of a PFD saving a life is considerably higher if you go into the water in sight of and within reach of someone else. The other use for the PFD, might help the body be found. It's OK, I still wear mine.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

IMG_2044_sized_1.jpg
 
"Step into Liquid". Good flic. I have it in my collection. Kinda of more a documentary, but anyone interested in surfing should check it out.
 
I am with Bob on this.....my Lifejackets are on the seat but rarely do I actually put one on.....I do when I get cold...I have the full jacket style...heck Sue and I once wore them to town for dinner...very comfortable ..... I have one sleeveless lifejacket that is more like a cozy vest....from West Marine...I don't mind wearing that one all day.....

Joel
SEA3PO
 
I'm more like Harvey on this one. Everyone on my boat has a pfd on at all times once we leave the dock. We have self inflating vests and they are fairly comfortable (my wife finds them too heavy). However, most of what I do with my boat is fishing and we're moving about in the cockpit for large portions of the time spent on the water. As a result, our risk for going over is higher than someone who is predominately cruising and inside the cabin.

If cruising and inside the cabin in reasonably calm waters, I can see a rationale for boating with a pfd nearby and not on. However, even in that case, things occasionally happen that require one to exit the cabin and deal with something in a higher risk situation (e.g. clearing the water intake of kelp, re-securing a line, urinating over the side etc). Also, when conditions change, wearing a pfd even while cruising in an enclosed cabin might be wise. It takes experience and discipline to both recognize the increased risk and to consistently don a pfd prior to exiting the cabin. My strong suspicion is that Bob has that experience and discipline. My guess is that many others may not. Given that things can go wrong in a hurry and that many won't have the good sense or ability to quickly don a pfd at the appropriate time(s), I think it's better to alway have it on and that's what we do on my boat.
 
We are really good about putting ours on but not all the time. If its even a little ruff its on. If we are coming to the dock its on, if we are handling shrimp lines its on ( most dangerous thing we do in the boat). when ever I an on the boat ALONE its on the whole time. If the weather is nice and warm and the water is flat and we are just cruising the vest is hanging by the door. We have 6 auto inflates now. plus 6 of the orange safety vest for the coasties to look at.
 
Looks like one of the jet ski skippers was on the helm. He was just giving all a thrill.

There are more than enough surfboards on deck to cover the crew on board. The surfboard is a better floatation device if you are awake.
 
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