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Old 11-28-2023, 11:35 AM   #12
Descant
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Merrimack and Welch Island
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Waving a paddle is fine, but some days, even in a 14' boat you want to sail when the power boats don't want to bounce their bottoms off. A handheld VHF or at least a cell phone is good. For most boats like yours, not much can go wrong, but you could take on water for a variety of reasons, and still not sink. A rescue with a big pump is needed, not a passing motorboat. Breaking a stay might limit the amount of sail you want to use, so a friendly tow is good. Many years ago I was tasked to tow a 14' sailboat from Melvin Village to the Weirs. We thought that would be quicker/easier than trailer. Wrong. The centerboard cable broke so we could not raise the board. Towing was at less than headway speed because every time we moved forward the board grabbed and sent the boat skittering off in an unpredictable direction.
If you are member of Boat/US, you get some limited towing which can be upgraded (probably not needed) as well as other benefits and a pretty good magazine. Don't know the price--they have my credit card and it has been on auto renew for years.
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