Boating Alone

[Foggy]

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]

Alcohol caused more deaths. Operator inattention caused more accidents (Pg 7). [Alcohol use certainly did cause "more" deaths. Look at the chart on page 23. It's 3 times the factor of any other known cause.]

This report shows the number of deaths, of all boat sizes, actually goes down with more people on board. [Obviously this finding has it's limits. Is one person in a 12 foot open skiff more dangerous than 12 people in the same boat. There has to be an optimum number. It may not be one - depending on the size of the boat, but it isn't just "more." One may well be more dangerous than two or three in a given boat, but are three drinking people safer than on sober one? Solo is more dangerous, but can be compensated for in ways that drinking cannot. Hence, the purpose of this thread.]

Credible reports from credible agencies probably yield more significant knowledge compared to talking to any one individual. [Agree. However, if the "any one" you are talking to has read and understands the "credible reports" and also has first hand knowledge and insight, or if the person has experience in a particular activity subsumed in a report's mass of data and generalizations, then you certainly can benefit from talking to the guy.]

Aye.

 

[thataway]

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]

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]

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]

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.

Very good report, good read, thanks for posting - and yes, smaller boat numbers are relevant to C-Dory... also greatly appreciate Bob pointing out that the category of boat the C-Dory belongs in is a small 4-8% subset of the small boat figures - very relevant data there too. All good - be safe!

 

[South of Heaven]

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]

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]

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]

Martin, You are making me blush

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

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[Marco Flamingo]

remind myself how many fellows have fallen overboard pissing over the side.

I don't know whether it is true, but there is an often repeated claim that >50% of the male drowning victims are recovered with their fly unzipped. I solved this by buying pants without zippers.

Seriously, I'm in neutral with the boat stopped before I go into the cockpit. Then I have my "gentleman's discreet urinal" setup so that I don't lean out over the side (picture in my photo album under "Modifications - Enclosed Head"). I don't know if the splash well scuppers allow this device to be used on other CDs, but it works fine on the 16.

There was a discussion on another boating board as to whether urinating over the side was a prohibited discharge of waste. One of the posters said that the regulation was written such that a collection of waste could not be discharged but if the waste was never collected then it could not constitute an unlawful discharge, ergo, peeing over the side is allowed.

I've never done the research to verify this. When I'm solo with nobody else within sight or maybe even VHF range, I'll stay away from the gunnel and use my legally questionable gadget.

 

[dotnmarty]

remind myself how many fellows have fallen overboard pissing over the side.

Seriously, I'm in neutral with the boat stopped before I go into the cockpit. Then I have my "gentleman's discreet urinal" setup so that I don't lean out over the side (picture in my photo album under "Modifications - Enclosed Head"). I don't know if the splash well scuppers allow this device to be used on other CDs, but it works fine on the 16.

.

I have no comment on your 'gentleman's discreet urinal".( Me, I used a milk jug)
However I find your use of a stool for your stools intriguing. A folding stool/stool, yes that works for me.

 

[Hunkydory]

I’m into being safety wise/self preservation, but perhaps not to the extreme of some others here. As far as peeing ect over the side in areas where appropriate (in Alaska I’ve seen outhouses that empty directly into the tidal zone in marinas & small towns) it was a matter of using the side step & one hand on the grap rail for peeing & the other was still one hand on the grap rail & rear end over the side & this while underway, but not alone. That worked ok, though I was a bit apprehensive about the big white target attracting a sea lion or such. Now a little older & not quite so over confident, a pee jug & the port potti with a small stainless pot inside the bowl, whose contents can be easily emptied, I find much improved safety wise.

Jay

 

[hardee]

I don't remember where I saw this. It was ta a small fishing village, somewhere up in BC, in a combination Post Office, Market and hardware store. Just a big glass jar, maybe 2.5 Gallon, with a couple dozen PVC tubes, 3/4", with some decretive paining on them and one end cut at about a 25degree angle and about 24 inches long. and a 8 or 10 inch loop of poly line attached at the beveled end. The sign on the side of the jar said "Relief tubes". Well, it went right over my head so I asked the gal at the counter, who was maybe 16 or 17 years old what they were. She said "just read the sign", I said, I did but I still didn't understand. She turned and disappeared into the back of the store and then this older lady, came out and asked what I didn't understand. I pointed to the jar of tubes. She says, "so you don't have to fall out of the boat when you have to pee." If I remember right, they were about $12.oo each. Just filling a niche.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[daninPA]

This has been a helpful discussion!

I went out for the first time solo on the C-Dory last Saturday on the Chesapeake. I think the PFD advice is solid, so is the warning to cut engines to idle before heading out of the cabin.

The bay was pretty well sprinkled with boats, but after heading out a ways it was obvious that a single person floating apart from his C-Dory on the vast expanse might not be spotted for a while, or -- if spotted -- might be mistaken for a water skier.

So I was pretty deliberate and avoided any solo tomfoolery (sashaying up the side to pull in a fender, for example). Instead, I figured out how to do as much as possible from inside. I secured the fenders, untied the cheat line -- I even snagged the guide rope by reaching out the window making my solo docking excursion a major coup in docktation (that no one witnessed. Alas).

Obviously bigger, colder, rougher conditions could make solo boating a bit more of an adventure! Not that I'm averse to adventure, but I'm a bit more calculating in my risk mitigations these days (probably due to surviving previous solo "adventures" solely on the grace of overworked guardian angels).

 

[cmetzenberg]

I agree with Harvee. Just take precautions such as flotation and beacon. don't go out in shit weather alone.

 

[SelmaAdam]

Why would you want to go boating all by yourself? Jesus! sounds risky. sometimes shit happens, I would advice a minimum of two people onboard.

 

[hardee]

Why would you want to go boating all by yourself? Jesus! sounds risky. sometimes shit happens, I would advice a minimum of two people onboard.

Well sometimes, if you want to go boating it's you alone or not go. That the way life is , , , sometimes.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

 

[Marco Flamingo]

Why would you want to go boating all by yourself? Jesus! sounds risky. sometimes shit happens, I would advice a minimum of two people onboard.

The more people aboard, the more likely something will go wrong. Going solo reduces the chances of an accident, unless the guest is a more accomplished boater than the captain. In which case, the guest would probably rather be solo. YEMV.

 

[ssobol]

Why would you want to go boating all by yourself? Jesus! sounds risky. sometimes shit happens, I would advice a minimum of two people onboard.

I often go boating to get away from people. Bringing someone with me kind of defeats the purpose.