I glued a small stainless steel U bolt to the inside of the cubby and bungeed a small waterproof box to that. Inside, I have a small airhorn, a handful of zip ties for repairs, an expired drivers license for identification, and my cell phone. Even if I flip the boat, I won’t lose any of that.Hi all,
I’m looking for some tips on how to sail safely, especially when it’s only me out there. I’ve only been sailing since last year and my home waters is the Shrewsbury river in New Jersey which, along with the Navesink river, feeds out into the bay.
Basically what I’ve been doing is going out close to high tide so I’m not dealing with the strong pull of the outgoing tide. I check the forecast and look at the water to see if I’d be comfortable going out there at that time.
Of course my wife knows where I’m headed to when I leave home.
I leave my cell phone in the car because I know it will end up at the bottom.
I'm in my late 50's, fairly fit, and I’m comfortable righting the SF if it goes over.
Any suggestions on basic safety that I may be overlooking would be most appreciated.
I'm looking at your area on Google Earth. Where is your launch point?my home waters is the Shrewsbury river in New Jersey which, along with the Navesink river, feeds out into the bay.
Wow, I'm really glad I asked you guys for this info!
Andy, launch point is at the end of Seawaneka Ave, which angles off to the left of Pocano Ave. Shrewsbury yacht club is just south of launch site; lot of catboats there.
Wjejr, thanks very much for this invaluable info, which I'll be printing and using as my bible for the Shrewsbury. Thanks for mentioning the Navesink as well; I'd like to sail there, I just don't know where to launch from that's free and easy. Please share any knowledge about this. Thanks.
The town of Keyport is actually much closer for me than where I currently sail, but Keyport is on the Raritan Bay. Right now, I'm not ready for that big body of water, knowing how fickle the wind can be. At some point, I'm gonna pick a nice mild day with onshore wind and go out at high tide, and just putter around the boats at Keyport yacht club, which is just east of the launch site.
Green flies, eh? Years ago at Island Beach State Park, my wife and I ran as if somebody was chasing us with a machete, trying to get away from those suckers!
Thanks again, one and all!
wjejr's notes below about carrying spare line remind me that I also carry 20' of ⅜" line coiled in front of the cowling and attached to the handle on the front of the boat. It could be used for towing; I can use it to create a stirrup to get back in the boat if needed; and I also use that line to tie the fish up to the dock at the loading ramp while I run off to get the trailer.I glued a small stainless steel U bolt to the inside of the cubby and bungeed a small waterproof box to that. Inside, I have a small airhorn, a handful of zip ties for repairs, an expired drivers license for identification, and my cell phone. Even if I flip the boat, I won’t lose any of that.
Thanks guys. This one will work for me, in a waterproof bag.Take an old (but still charged) phone with you. Even though you won't be able to make regular calls, in an emergency you should still be able to call 911.
Hi all,
I’m looking for some tips on how to sail safely, especially when it’s only me out there. I’ve only been sailing since last year and my home waters is the Shrewsbury river in New Jersey which, along with the Navesink river, feeds out into the bay.
Basically what I’ve been doing is going out close to high tide so I’m not dealing with the strong pull of the outgoing tide. I check the forecast and look at the water to see if I’d be comfortable going out there at that time.
Of course my wife knows where I’m headed to when I leave home.
I leave my cell phone in the car because I know it will end up at the bottom.
I'm in my late 50's, fairly fit, and I’m comfortable righting the SF if it goes over.
Any suggestions on basic safety that I may be overlooking would be most appreciated.