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How to handle bad wind and no engine?

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jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2004 : 11:55:42

Hi all,

Looks like the topic of auxiliary power when your engine or sails fail has some more interest.

I posted a teaser about the Yulohs that Paul and me made. I did not make good on my intention to post the photos that show them and how to use them. I will in the next few days.

If you go to the website that describes sculling, sculling oars and the yuloh, there is a description of someone learning to use the yuloh. A comment is made that I find wrong: "The stroke is easy back and forth with a yank on the lanyard at the end of pass to capsize the oar into the diving angle for the stroke to follow the properly timed yank on the lanyard also gives the blade a bit of a kick outward and upward increasing the power of the stroke considerably."

The experience both Paul and I have is that no "yank" is necessary. Our yulohs "capsize the oar into the diving angle" naturally at the end of the stroke. The lanyard forces that to happen. Therefore the back and forth stroke is exceptionally smooth. There is no requirement to rotate the loom or any special twist. You just push the loom back and forth. You can even do it with an open hand.

The more power you apply to the back and forth movement, the more force is applied to the water. The blade curves more (mine is 6in wide oak), actually causing more of the blade surface to engage with the water. The rate that you move the loom back and forth is not as significant as the force that you apply. In fact, I believe I would reach an upper limit on force before I would reach a rate beyond which I could not move the loom back and forth. If I raise the blade such that less surface is applied to the water, then I could probably increase the rate. However, by experiment, I have learned that more blade in the water is more efficient than less blade/higher rate. I go faster.

Before I made one, I really did not understand the geometry and hydrostatic principles of the Yuloh. It is really pretty cool and whoever came up with the idea in ancient times in the far east was brilliant.

My caution to everyone is that even with the yuloh operating at max capacity, expect to push our two-three ton boats at only about two knots. With a strong current, with our high freeboard exposed to strong wind you are better off deploying the hook and calling for help.

Yeah, yeah, I'll get on the photos. They show both Paul and Me in both our 25's.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

Edited by - on

oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2004 : 19:30:09

Whenever I find myself in a "situation" (I've had my share) that's getting out of hand I drop the hook to stabilize the situation and sort things out while I'm riding safely at anchor. I've seen plenty of people get into trouble desperately trying to get into their slips when they'd have been better off staying put, thinking things through, and making the necessary repairs before proceding.

I've noticed that many boaters succumb to anxiety, fear and bad judgement when they have a problem that prevents them from having immediate access to their slips. I've witnessed some even try to run dangerous inlets under unfavorable, hazzardous conditions when they're perfectly safe where they are and should have waited it out.

One guy, obviously frightened by some worsening currents, tried to enter a local inlet, got caught in some breakers and almost lost his boat. By some miracle, he was able to break free of the current and turned around 180 degrees. As soon as he was clear and SAFE,...he turned right around again into those same breakers to try again and this time lost his boat when it got pooped by waves breaking over the stern quarter. He came as close to dying as a man possibly could.I helped pull him him ashore onto the beach where I was fishing, and since he was in shock it was all I could do to keep him from rushing back into the surf to rescue a few seat cushions and some other worthless wreckage.

If it takes a few extra minutes or hours to solve a problem or wait for better conditions or even daylight to get in safely, who cares?

An uncontrollable urge to get in "now" can cause a serious loss of judgement and big problems.

Edited by - oldsalt on 08/05/2004 19:36:57

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2004 : 22:32:47

Matsche wrote:<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Don't feel bad. If you've never made a stupid mistake, then you're not sailing enough! I have my own list. That's what makes you a better sailor! You learn from your mistakes.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks. I think adding my name to the "available to crew" list at the local sailing club will give me some opportunities to learn from mistakes without them being made on my own boat.

Steve

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trent
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2004 : 23:49:27

Wow this came up after a long time. I've replaced the stanchion and my girlfriend and I have been sailing every weekend this summer (and by the way it has been a great summer in Oklahoma). I've gotten much more dogged about how the boat is run. I still need a full toolkit but other than that I have spare fuel fitting, I've replaced the motor mount and the fuel line.

I feel like that night I didn't endanger us but went too far without knowledge of what a swirling wind could do to the boat. I don't think that I was about to sink or anything but will drop the hook next time for the chance to think about the situation. Unfortunately I'm a novice at hook dropping so that may be the next lesson I need to learn. My lake is about 80 feet deep so I'm becoming a natural at heaving to which is another good option.

Once again thanks for the advice and lessons to think about.

Edited by - on

Rollins
1st Mate

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USA
50 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2004 : 00:42:25

I have often contemplated what I might do in this situation. Has anyone ever considered using a high-thrust electric trolling motor for this type of situation? You could store it in the cockpit locker and put long wire on it with clips to run to your battery. You can frequently pick them up at a good price when a bass-boater wants to upgrade to a foot controlled model, and get rid of their stick. Do you think a decent sized trolling motor would push a C25?

Just a thought,

Mike Rollins
Wind Walker - 1989 SR/WK

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2004 : 09:27:47

Hmmm... Steve... For little day-sails to nowhere, I usually leave the engine down and in neutral--maybe I should also leave it running!

My dumbass moves have been many and minor (so far), but my funniest in-person experience involved a friend we went out with who hoisted his jib upside-down, right next to a fleet of J-24s that were heading out to race. Got quite an ovation! (And you think you were embarrassed!)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 08/06/2004 09:34:02

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2004 : 12:14:20

Dave, I've got to admit I was relieved that the only witnesses to my bridge incident were the people driving over the bridge...and all they could see was the top third of my mast.

Your message triggered a flashback though...I remember now that the reason the outboard didn't start initially is that I had failed to put it back in neutral when I had raised it for sailing. DUH.

Steve

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2004 : 19:23:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Lightnup
 ...I remember now that the reason the outboard didn't start initially is that I had failed to put it back in neutral when I had raised it for sailing. DUH.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Therein lies the real problem--pressure--leading to the anchor suggestion (which I have used when my engine balked on a previous boat while I was drifting toward the rocks). More recently, when I was ready to drop the main, my fancy electric start Honda wouldn't start--it cranked and cranked and cranked... I popped the cowl... everything was connected... put the cowl back on... then realized the throttle was turned all the way UP (instead of all the way DOWN as it's supposed to be). Smart engine! Dumb sailor.

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2004 : 20:31:03

When in doubt about any situation, you are always safe in throwing out the anchor, securing the boat, then analyzing the problem(s). It may be bad, but at least it cannot get worse by running into something/one.

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Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2004 : 22:33:01

Repeat after me: "When in doubt, throw anchor out."

Think I'll have that tattooed on my....

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2004 : 08:47:44

Think I'll have that tattooed on my....
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
There's one for Johnny Cochran... "When in doubt, throw it out!"

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falco_esq
1st Mate

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USA
60 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2004 : 15:20:50

WE ALWAYS CARRY EMERGENCY RUM IN THE EMERGENCY DRAWER!!

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ddlyle
 "...enough beer ..."

Or rum!

So I thought, in the spares kit one might keep some rum aboard in case the unexpected night on the hook occurs anyway.
(After exhaustiong the proper spares like hose clamps, duct tape, plastic ties, etc.)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

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