#1: Same scenario: A few miles from Port Washington, Wisconsin, because of a drained battery, diesel wouldn't start after a sail across Lake Michigan from Muskegon, Michigan. Tried to hand-crank the diesel, to no avail. No wind. Thankfully, no immediate danger. After drifting for 9 or so hours, we were blessed with a whisp of a breeze, just enough to, 3 hours later, tack into a marina, to the frustration of several fishing boaters heading out at first light. Helps to have someone on the bow shouting, "Make way! No engine!"
#2: In the Monty, becalmed after a daysail, fully-charged deep-cycle battery nevertheless didn't have enough juice for the Minn Kota to take us home. Crew paddled the last several yards using hatch boards from below. Both situations would have been perfect for sculling oars. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Howard Audsley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2003 7:57 AM Subject: Boarding Ladders & sculling Another review on ladders: http://www.practical-sailor.com/pub/28_23/features/4757-1.html I decided to have a means to paddle or scull the boat after an incident a few years ago. We had sailed up to an inlet, with the Marina and town about a mile inside, but up a narrow passage. We dropped sails, but a short had drained the battery, so the diesel engine wouldn't start. And since the battery was dead, the radio didn't work. Neither did the handheld...who's batteries were also dead. Two hours before dark and the Marina was closed for the day anyway. No tow was coming. But since the wind was still blowing, I talked the skipper into sailing in. We short tacked (50 to 100 yard tacks with a 32 footer) up the inlet and sailed right up to the dock. Threw the dock lines to some bystanders, backwinded the main and held on until she stopped. Kinda fun, actually. But that was only possible because the wind was still blowing. Not sure where I first heard it, but the rule I follow when safety is needed is to have 3 of anything. Like when inside a cave, 3 different sources of light...the last being a candle and waterproof matches. Something you know will work. Or 3 anchors. Or in this case, 3 forms of propulsion. Wind, motor, and if those don't work, an oar. Sculling is used because it only takes one oar, which is stored in the bottom of the boat, out of the way. But it does work. Howard M17, #278 On 1/29/03 9:36 PM, "Seawitch" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Hi all, Please enlighten me, why would you want or need to scull your sail boat? Also, has anyone tried the rope type ladders with wooden steps which fold up and can be stored rather that permanently fixed. What are your thoughts and opinions on them. ===== Time for a cool change! Sandra _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
