Overboard Boater

BoatUS sent this in an email news alert as a reminder of why you should wear your lifejackets.

WATCH THE VIDEO

From the email:

The good news is all survived. The man referenced in the video who needed CPR to be revived is now sitting up in bed and in stable condition at the hospital.

As we approach the summer boating season, I hope this incident helps us all understand the importance of life jackets. Are yours in good shape, inspected and ready to go? And are you willing to wear it more often?”

The NIOSH Estimated Workplace Noises Chart

Take a look at the chart above. It’s from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). As you can see, sustained exposure to 85 dB-A and above ain’t good for you. Now browse through your nearest boating magazine and read through the boat tests–the good ones record dB-A throughout the rpm range. Where does your boat’s noise levels fall?

Nobody thinks about it, but I wrote a Seamanship column on the subject several years ago. It can affect your judgement and level of fatigue during long stretches at the helm.

You can get the numbers on your boat yourself, with the same tool most editors–and boat company technicians–use on boat tests. A digital model from Radio Shack will tell you what you need to know. It costs $50 (www.radioshack.com).

To get the best numbers, set the meter to the “A” weighting and “slow” response setting, which does a better job of averaging the sound level for a steadier read. Stick the microphone close to the helm and have everybody shut up, then record the numbers at 500 rpm increments. You’ll notice that on any open-helm boat, whether you have a stern drive with an insulated engine compartment or a whisper quiet four-stroke outboard, wind noise overtakes engine noise shortly after climbing on plane. And not long after that, the sound level will be above the red line on the NIOSH chart above.

For long distance runs, try headphones or earplugs made for shooting sports, motorcycling, or industrial machinery.  Try something like these inexpensive QuietEar Reusable Plugs.

In an act of shameless self-promotion, I’m linking to an article I wrote detailing the seamanship lessons I culled while spending a day at the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Here’s the link to the article, called “Training Day.”

Here’s a link to the blog for their hands-on waterfront training center. I’d trust these guys with any boat.

Photo courtesy of cobaltboats.com

Every boat rides like a dream. So you’d think if you, like David St. Hubbins, believed virtually everything you read. On the water there are ways to back up such bold marketing claims. Run down this quick checklist to determine if the ride you’re on is actually a good handling boat.

How quickly does it plane? Runabouts and sportboats should be in the 3-4 second vicinity. Longer than 6 seconds–it’s a dog. Small cruisers and cabin boats should be in the 8 second range. 10 seconds or more is slow going.

Does it Squat? Do you lose sight of the water in front of  due to bowrise you when you throttle down? Most planing hulls will have some sort of bowrise climbing over the hump, but too much squat is the sign of a dog.

How Does it Turn? With a properly trimmed boat you should be able to execute a hard-over turn at 30 mph, as per recommendation of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC). If the boat feels out of control at that speed, it’s not a good handling hull. The best boats can execute hard turns at 3/4 speed up to wide-open throttle.

Any Porpoising? Bobbing up and down in the water at planing speeds like an aquatic mammal is not a good sign. In flat seas, the boat should not display a lot of up and down bow movement or lean to one side, but should ride smoothly and level across the beam.

How Does It Track? You shouldn’t have to constantly  work the helm to maintain a straight course in flat conditions. With the drives set straight, the boat should be able to hold a course. Point the bow at a target and see how long it stays on it without wheel correction.

There are many more, but these five will help you get a good general impression of a boat’s ride.

I downloaded yet another iPhone app that bodes well for boaters with an addiction to their little phone buddy. The NOAA Buoy Data Reader app from Verona Solutions provides the latest update from the nearest data buoy, or from the one nearest to your ultimate destination. Rather than explain what it does, let me show you a screen grab from my phone for my home waters:

As you see, it gives you some basic data to judge your sea state. It is not a forecasting tool. But I tried it on the water this week and it worked well, providing us an accurate picture of waters.

The caveat: Make sure you’re not relying on your cell phone for ANY serious cruising data unless you’re 100 percent sure you’ve got cell phone or wifi coverage where you’re boating.

And if you’re going to whip your iPhone out on the water, for dog’s sake protect it. My favorite case is the Aquapac Phone Case.

The NOAA Buoy Data App costs $2.99 on the iTunes app store.

As an alternative consider the more comprehensive Bombora app that goes for $4.99. (Especially if you like to surf, too.)

Here’s a story I heard on a boat yesterday while fishing in a chill. “Greg” decided to go fishing for blackfish on a buddy’s boat one day and they ran a few miles outside the inlet. The temperature had dipped below freezing. Offshore, Greg noticed white smoke coming from the bilge hatch. Water in the Automatic Bilge Pump had frozen solid and the motor overheated trying to unstick itself. It sparked, causing a fire to jump up the wires towards the fuel tank. Fast action with the fire extinguisher saved them from an explosion and/or immersion in chilly water.

Anglers are most likely to push the margins of weather. Running a boat in extreme cold is not a casual thing to consider. Take heed of all that cold can do before leaving the dock.

First, think of all the places on board where water could freeze overnight. Water expands as it freezes, and could crack through-hull fittings, cause seacocks to jam, and harm your engines or internal systems.

Your body loses heat 32 times faster in water than in air. Read this Hypothermia article on Boating to understand why you should wear a float coat.

Tell someone where you’re going. And when you plan to be back. See above; if you get in trouble the faster help can find you the better. This would be a good reason to invest in a SPOT Personal Tracker.

Dress for the occasion. Here’s a review of cold weather gear I did one time. Here’s another one I did on layering for warmth. Being windproof and waterproof are essential parts of the equation.

Alcohol does not warm you up; it will make you cool down more quickly and, of course, impair your judgement. Save the flask for after you’ve driven home from the marina.

Complete with funky soundtrack.

Storm clouds that, when seen from the helm, invoke expletives.

Here’s to freak thunderstorms. The ones that make everything in their path vibrate with electric dread. I hate lightning; my biggest fear is being caught in a ferocious storm in an open boat. Fortunately I’m pretty good at avoiding them now that I’m not in my 20s and stupid, and that I have an iPhone.

I use the Weather Channel app to get the general forecast and then hit the “Explore Map” feature to get real-time radar.

For marine forecasts I use the web browser to call up the NOAA/NWS Coastal and Great Lakes Forecasts by Zone.

If the forecast is grim, or I see the impending doom as pictured above with my own eyes, I hit the Yelp app to find the nearest dockside bar restaurant.

*(Overused headline cliche alert.)