Lessons Learned from 11/10/12

Yesterday seems like we had every malfunction possible. Broken rudder, tangled rudder, jammed mirage drive, broken sail. My problem was unbalanced rigging. I usually use my AI with one Ama and no sail. On the way back in I tried sailing but with the livewell filled with crabs and water, on starboard track the port ama submerged about 2' underwater and if I hadn't reefed the sail quickly I would have capsized.  So here are some things I learned.

1. Balance your load if you are going to sail in windy conditions: This means throwing the C Bass in the tankwell or catching 2. 
2. Take the mast down: For surf launch, when peddling against a strong headwind and when being towed. It's pretty easy to do.
3. Be ready to peddle and paddle: One thing I like about the Amish tramps is you can paddle without rolling them up.
4. Always carry a tow rope: I always bring one to tow kayakers. Never thought about towing an AI.

The wind was 10-13kt at HMB and probably close to 15-16 kt at Doran. Combined with the swell, I would say that was close to the max that I would take an AI out in if I was new to sailing.

Scott

Good stuff Scott. I also got in the habit of flipping up that massive rudder when I pull in my pots to prevent line getting tangled in it. I only did it every so often with the smaller twist and stow rudder on the Revo. I am still curious about now Sonnys sail failed.....Sonny details pls

Good stuff Scott. I also got in the habit of flipping up that massive rudder when I pull in my pots to prevent line getting tangled in it. I only did it every so often with the smaller twist and stow rudder on the Revo. I am still curious about now Sonnys sail failed.....Sonny details pls

I posted the detailed report in Glen's thread but still not sure of how it failed and doing research on the old style mast to see if any part was missing on mine.

Good advice Scott I did not have any problems with the yak but I definitely had problems with my legs, did not think I was going to make it........ my legs where burning big time, can't what to do it again .

PatR

After Sonny's adventure up at Shelter Cove I bought a 50' throw bag from ODP for $25. I used it for a tow rope with Chucke this summer. He towed me in when we went out of Bodega salmon fishing. My first experience with towing. It was fun. Saved me a bunch of peddling. Also when I decided I wanted an AI  I also made a shock cord with a 6' section of heavy bungie to obsorb the jerking. I double it and larksfoot it over the aka. It has loops on both ends. I think you should also add an oversized drift sock. I bought the Extra large size 42" and it does a great job of slowing your drift in a strong wind. Not only for fishing, but in an emergency it could make performing a repair safer and easier. Say replacing a rudder pin, or untangling it or lines caught, sail issues etc. As for the crabbing and line tangling. I came up with a great system for collecting my pots and controling the lines. When I want to pull a pot, I approach from up wind with the sail rolled up. I steer the boat right over the float letting the float go right under the tramp between the hull and the ama. When it comes out the back I grab it then crawl out on the tramp and start hauling the line in off the back aka. The line piles on the front of the tramp that is behind me. You also have the smooth aluminum of the rear aka to haul over. (I'm thinking of making a snap on piece of PVC to clip onto the aka to protect the rope even more) Then I haul it up onto the rear of the tramp. empty it and throw it back off the back aka. The rope pays out just like it was layed. At the end I throw the float out away from the boat, and on to the next pot. No tangles, no fuss. Works like a champ! On my revo I used to catch my rudder all the time, but with this system it's never a problem. Another indispensible item I made was a heavy duty bungie cord. I made a small loop on one end and the other end I have one of those plastic hooks with a jamcleat built into it. I larksfoot loop it over the handle on an ama and hook it on the eyelet or the bungie on the hull. Then I can tie down what ever on the tramp. It also doubles as a transport tiedown when I'm wheeling the boat to the water. I use it all the time.

Light weight trap holders.  Still able to paddle and lift traps up next to the main hull.  $14 at home depot

my legs where burning big time .

X 10^23!!!!