Cruising Forums

JeanneP · 02-05-2007, 10:42 AM

with all this stuff on the deck? Three fenders, two kayaks, some jerry jugs, and a bunch of other stuff. Don't go offshore with all this!

JeanneP · 02-05-2007, 10:57 AM

Another view

Trim50 · 02-05-2007, 11:01 AM

Yeah, but the spice garden is a must

Nausikaa · 02-05-2007, 01:44 PM

Nice boat - just a shame about all the junk on deck. Which brings me to an issue I have been pondering for a long time.

Many cruisers heading out on longer trips have their decks cluttered with jerry cans, surf-boards, upturned dingies (wooden or even aluminium) and all manner of stuff. Sure, it obstructs their passage on deck, probably gets in the way of running rig and raises the centre of gravity as well as increasing windage. All these things one can live with I suppose but I wonder to they ever stop to think what will hapen if they are hit by solid water? In bad weather, a wave breaking onto the boat will carry all that stuff away. Hopefully no more damage will ensue but that may not be the case.

When I leave sheltered waters I make a point of having nothing on deck. If I am going offshore I even remove the working anchor from the bow roller and stow it in the bilge. Why? Because about 30 years ago, when I was third officer on an 80,000 ton bulk carrier, we were crossing Biscay heading towards the Channel with a quarterly sea in really bad weather. It was about force 10 or 11. One wave roled up (from our port quarter) and broke on board. It carried away the port lifeboat which was in its davits maybe 15 metres above sea level. It then rolled up the main deck taking the catwalk with it. In fact, the catwalk was just roled up like the lid of an open sardine can. I was totally stunned by the power of the ocean! And that was on an 80,000 ton ship!

IMHO clear the decks!

Stephen

Yacht NAUSIKAA

Spike_dawg · 02-05-2007, 04:54 PM

Most monohull cruisers have far more stuff on deck then this. You can always pick out a cruiser.

Ever notice that catamarans rarely have anything on deck? The cat's I've seen in my journey's have all had clear decks. I don't carry a lot of stuff and have no need for using deck space for storage but I do know 4 cat's which are very heavy. Still the decks are clear; even the dinghies are mounted on the rear transom deck or on davits. Regarding space, I've seen 30 jerry cans being carried along the deck of monohulls; it's not uncommon to see both sides full of jerry cans. Never seen a cat carrying any jerry cans on deck. Don't know why this is and it's just an observation.

dnelson · 02-05-2007, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by name='Converted Post'

Originally posted by Nausikaa

Nice boat - just a shame about all the junk on deck. Which brings me to an issue I have been pondering for a long time.

I was totally stunned by the power of the ocean! And that was on an 80,000 ton ship!

IMHO clear the decks!

Not to worry - the first knock down ( and it will happen - no matter what waters you are sailing in) will clean off the deck nicely...