It took me 10 minutes of faffing around and pointless paddling (about 500m off shore) to come up with this idea. It was not at all easy to sail, I was exhausted when I got in but thought I would share as it may help someone else in future.

Nice job!

I put the top inside and upside down. Takes seconds. Planed back, limited upwind ability!

so you both broke the mast at the joint?

Select to expand quote

Manuel7 said..
Nice job!

I put the top inside and upside down. Takes seconds. Planed back, limited upwind ability!

That is a much better idea! I couldn't do anything but point high into wind, it was a wrestling match with the rig if I did anything else.

Select to expand quote

Sandman1221 said..
so you both broke the mast at the joint?

Below, probably about 20cm from memory. Must of been pre-existing damage as I did nothing special. I did hit it a bit hard on the sand a few weeks prior so I imagine that was the cause.

Needs more downhaul.

Were you sailing alone, as in no one else around? Quite daunting experience on your own. Try to sail with other people with you.

I lost a friend who drowned, many years ago now, yet he was sailing with a number of other people, yet on his own. This was on a Melbourne Bayside beach.

Things happen frequently more than you're aware. It just pays to bring yourself to the point, that you're sailing with a group who'll potentially & hopefully look out for you or your friends in critical situations. It's certainly happened to us in years gone by. Have had to tow in friend's who'd had equipment failure like yourself at least a decent klm offshore and in waters where sharks are regulars in the vicinity.

Be alert, be aware & equipment disasters happen quite often.

I also wear scars underfoot from a difficult water start in heavy high winds, attempting to line up your board by kicking the board into a suitable position to get sail lift. I kicked the point of the fin, accidentally, with the arch of my foot. As soon as I got up & going all l could see was the blood trailing on my yellow J.P. & the pain kicking in. Got to shore, sure enough huge gash underfoot, with granules of sand embedded in it & off to A & E to get treatment, 8 stitches underfoot.

Not the most pleasant of sensations & out of action for a few weeks. Hobbling around & feeling ok when the meds prescribed kicked in.


"Caution to the wind", a reminder of things can happen & do.

I'm pretty sure that I couldn't slide a 2nd mast inside the sleeve.
In any case, (splitting hairs, I know) but that looks more like rig rescue than self rescue. My big self rescue 4 years ago was a 3km paddle on the board in 4m conditions and big chop after I broke my ankle. The rig got abandoned

Select to expand quote

redrabbitz said..
Were you sailing alone, as in no one else around? Quite daunting experience on your own. Try to sail with other people with you.

I lost a friend who drowned, many years ago now, yet he was sailing with a number of other people, yet on his own. This was on a Melbourne Bayside beach.

Things happen frequently more than you're aware. It just pays to bring yourself to the point, that you're sailing with a group who'll potentially & hopefully look out for you or your friends in critical situations. It's certainly happened to us in years gone by. Have had to tow in friend's who'd had equipment failure like yourself at least a decent klm offshore and in waters where sharks are regulars in the vicinity.

Be alert, be aware & equipment disasters happen quite often.

I also wear scars underfoot from a difficult water start in heavy high winds, attempting to line up your board by kicking the board into a suitable position to get sail lift. I kicked the point of the fin, accidentally, with the arch of my foot. As soon as I got up & going all l could see was the blood trailing on my yellow J.P. & the pain kicking in. Got to shore, sure enough huge gash underfoot, with granules of sand embedded in it & off to A & E to get treatment, 8 stitches underfoot.

Not the most pleasant of sensations & out of action for a few weeks. Hobbling around & feeling ok when the meds prescribed kicked in.


"Caution to the wind", a reminder of things can happen & do.

I agree it is always safer and more fun sailing with others, I was sailing alone but in familiar enclosed waters with the family home on the shore. I wouldn't be comfortable that far from shore in the ocean. Everyone was too busy eating cake apparently so no one notice till I was back....

Enclosed waters, like lakes, wide rivers or the ocean it's all H20 & when winds kick in harder the thrill of the chase entices us further for that extra adrenaline rush.

I used to live on a large farm with a very large dam where we'd practice our water starts & jibes. The water was very deep 30' in the centre. I've seen snakes & large goannas skootin' across the water in close proximity to where we were floundering around on our wave board's practicing various techniques. Ocean or regional country there's some form of critter with teeth, claws and or both with venom.

It's just about awareness of the environment you play in.

Certainly a terrific idea you came up with to get back. Kwik thinking the necessity for self preservation!

Could you have ditched the rig?

Select to expand quote

Faff said..
Could you have ditched the rig?

That was where I was heading next and is the option that gets you home safe. I would have tried to save the boom and mast base although I have tried to de-rig once in choppy waters and it was hard going not to lose everything. I was also imagining I probably looked like a distressed seal to any passing sharks.

This is something to practice. Go out, stay close to shore, and practice this. I ditched a rig once but kept the mast, boom, and extension. It was a formula board, so it was easy to sit on top and disassemble, even in choppy water. I then used the mast to paddle back in, about one mile. If you want to keep the sail, just roll it up and sit on it. Harder to do with a smaller board, which is why you should practice it.

I've broken a couple of SD masts off shore and it's no fun, for last 16 years I've only used RDM's and no more long swims.
Good to see you worked out a way to get back to shore

Select to expand quote

redrabbitz said..
Were you sailing alone, as in no one else around? Quite daunting experience on your own. Try to sail with other people with you.

I lost a friend who drowned, many years ago now, yet he was sailing with a number of other people, yet on his own. This was on a Melbourne Bayside beach.

Things happen frequently more than you're aware. It just pays to bring yourself to the point, that you're sailing with a group who'll potentially & hopefully look out for you or your friends in critical situations. It's certainly happened to us in years gone by. Have had to tow in friend's who'd had equipment failure like yourself at least a decent klm offshore and in waters where sharks are regulars in the vicinity.

Be alert, be aware & equipment disasters happen quite often.

I also wear scars underfoot from a difficult water start in heavy high winds, attempting to line up your board by kicking the board into a suitable position to get sail lift. I kicked the point of the fin, accidentally, with the arch of my foot. As soon as I got up & going all l could see was the blood trailing on my yellow J.P. & the pain kicking in. Got to shore, sure enough huge gash underfoot, with granules of sand embedded in it & off to A & E to get treatment, 8 stitches underfoot.

Not the most pleasant of sensations & out of action for a few weeks. Hobbling around & feeling ok when the meds prescribed kicked in.


"Caution to the wind", a reminder of things can happen & do.

That is the hardest thing I think to find others together, for a newbie.
Because surfers are 8n different time line. And all have different wind requirements, some need over 20knots, some like over 15 knots, for me at the moment probably 10 knots, how can I get a person sailing with me?
I ve never found a one with me.
I wish!

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Motsbane, yes it's easier said than done. I'm guilty of sailing completely alone - no one else out.

Just you the windn'waves & that sensation of total freedom. I'm talking decades ago late 80's.
I was heading back to shore after being out for approx. 1 hr.

As l was returning l noticed something floating & bobbing on the surface about 50-60 mtrs from the shoreline. Didn't think much of it, thought it could have been clumped drifting seaweed. It was a frequent thing to the area. Just came in for a drink & to change sail size down as wind was strengthening. While re-rigging,the "seaweed clump" was getting closer to shore. I became curious so walked closer. Got close enough & l could see fur & blood.

That got my attention!

It was a dead seal that was missing half it's body. Other guys were there starting to rig up anticipating heading out. I walked over to them & told them what's heading into shore. We waited until the cross onshore wind washed the seal on to the beach. It was the rear end torso with innards mostly missing but some still there.

I didn't have a phone or camera with me but one of the guys had a camera & took photos of the mutilated seal. This was at a place called Honeysuckle beach, between PT.Leo & Flinders opposite Phillip Island.

All l can say it made me feel awkwardly ill, uneasy & the thought that a shark was in the vicinity somewhere.

No one went out. The guys with the camera said they were going to let the local Rangers become aware of the washed up seal remains.

Never followed up with that, just have vivid memories of that day.

Don't know what shark it was but reasonably confident it may have been a pretty good sized one from the teeth & jawline biting, more like shredded cheddar in a grater with broken fragments of protruding bones.

Didn't go back there for quite a long time & vowed never to sail completely alone again. All the weirdest thoughts kept going through my mind for ages. Was l possibly sailing close by to a white pointer, which are in the area of Phillip Island. Always thought Honeysuckle was a safe beach, mainly hated the seaweed at the time often causing issues to drag on fins.

Sail alone, we all make our own decisions & choices.

That got me wondering how much a shark eats, and the top Google result is 11T/year.
That's about 30 or so kg/day, so next time you see half a seal come floating in you can be confident that at least one shark has already dined, so won't be looking to snack on a sailor

Really don't matter how much or often a shark eats.
That 1st exploratory bite is all you worry about.

After reading your experience, I ve got cold sweat.
Will try to update my skill and join a group.
Thank you very much.

Things can happen more often that we expect . I always try to sail with people (there is usually always loads at my spot) and wear an old phone with a waterproof bag (like those people use to run in their arm) when there are offshore winds.

Does anyone sail with an EPIRB? I often go out on my own and would like something to feel safer in case something goes wrong.

Found the below epirb which looks small enough to easily carry. Reasonably cheap too.

www.snowys.com.au/rescueme-plb1

Thoughts?

Cleverku.
I feel sailors, no matter what size their water craft, will eventually require epirbs as a mandatory thing.

All boats, yachts, jet skis ARE MEANT TO HAVE THEM onboard as regulatory safety standards, part of the Vicroads/Marine requirements, including a host of other necessities like indate flares, approved life jackets, etc...

I've owned boats & have a several boards, etc.


As a boaty & windsurfer l know I've experienced problems that l've able, fortunately, to be in a position to get back to shore safely. It's ALL about equipment maintenance, checking things & preparing for that outing mechanical, electrical, radios, gps systems, pulleys, ropes, etc to be fully intact & functional.

The day is often filled with unexpected surprises, that can lead to potential disasters.

Prepare for potential problems, but enjoy the day with a balance on a knifes edge. Read the winds, weather patterns & risk of storms. Masts are favourable for lightning strike.

With over 45yrs on the water we've experienced a few delicate situations. Keep calm, rational, be alert, NEVER Drink Alcohol or other substances be ready for the worst but have a constructive solution as best as you possibly are able to with what you have & where you are. Let people know where you are heading & when to expect your return.

That's about it. Circumstances can change at the sudden drop in temperature, wind direction change & large swells appearing out of nowhere.

It happens. Many often place the "Sh" in front of it happens.



Do l sail with an epirb? Guilty "No".
Should l & other's? YES but it's not enforced. The day a situation arises where you are in the worst scenario possible, you'll wish you had that epirb with you. Offshore howling winds are the worst offenders for being swept out deeper & deeper. Ditch the bitch (full rig) & paddle back to shore. OR activate your epirb?

The rest is up to you guys/gals & your views.

Select to expand quote

cleverku said..
Does anyone sail with an EPIRB? I often go out on my own and would like something to feel safer in case something goes wrong.

Found the below epirb which looks small enough to easily carry. Reasonably cheap too.

www.snowys.com.au/rescueme-plb1

Thoughts?

I used to when I was ocean sailing, mine went out of date and I'm sailing on my local estuary now days so haven't replaced. That EPIRB would be to a standard so I'd guess it's ok, good thinking.

So far, broken almost everything at least once. The only hardware not broken has been booms. Worst and best were masts. First mast feet just wet. 2nd mast. 3 hour swim home. Between swell and chop no one saw me until I was within couple hundred meters from shore. Self rescue. How far can you swim for the existing conditions?

^^A literal swim home? Didn't you try to at least keep the board even if you couldn't derig on the water and keep the sail and boom?

I always thought,never leave your board no matter what perils you face when stuck offshore.

We instruct to never leave your board. Never. It's your float, and your visiible signal if they are looking for you from above. If you have ditched your rig, you can paddle the board as fast as you can swim.

Again, practice this.

That's correct. NEVER LEAVE YOUR BOARD! Ditch the rig(sail, mast & boom = the rig) if absolutely necessary. Stay on your board & try to paddle to shore.

Select to expand quote

Mr Milk said..
^^A literal swim home? Didn't you try to at least keep the board even if you couldn't derig on the water and keep the sail and boom?

Should have typed paddled and swam. Paddled with the semi derigged sail under me. Bit of windage with me on top the mess. VMG to launch area was similar paddling and dragging the kit. Discomfort paddling laying on the rig. So I alternated. Hindsight. Should have tied a line between the board and me and tossed the rig. Would have been a much quicker and easier paddle home. NP VX. Bit of a doofus. Too cheap to dump. Unfortunately not the last time. Last swim was a uni failure. Goodby board. Swam the rig to shore. Was close enough to shore that the board ended up a km down the shoreline. Why we always launch from onshore locations. Otherwise your chance for self rescue goes down significantly.