[quote=Andinista][quote=ericrayl]
3. I was sailing recently in good breeze downwind, my crew that day literally fell off backwards but held onto the kite sheet, which caused a slow capsize. After letting go, it took her a long time to swim to the boat because of the speed at which the boat was drifting downwind. What is anyone carrying for a drogue to slow drift in a situation like this? The other lesson learned from this is in similar conditions I'll insist on crew either being hooked into the trap wire or having a foot under the hiking strap.[/quote]
I thought that a righting bag could serve that purpose, but the only time that I practiced on a real capsize i noticed that the boat drifted pretty fast anyway, so I wouldn't count on it. I could not compare to swimming speed and it was long ago, so take it just as a subjective opinion.
If there isn't much help around it might be a safety issue. Eventhough I mostly sail with someone else, I like to be able to right the boat by myself. The bag didn't work very well for me so I have a righting pole now. I heard of a case where one sailor stayed on the capsized boat unable to right it and the other could not catch it, it was on the sea and they drifted away of the coast for a few hours. If water temperature is low, it's no joke.
I will soon start sailing in a different place, with a more open bay and not a lot of sand beaches to land, so safety is more of an issue. I am considering to add an anchor and get a couple VHF radios.[/quote]
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