Being prepared for any problem or crisis when sailing involves three steps: considering "what to do if" it happens right now, having the right gear or equipment ready if needed, and having a plan in mind to avoid losing precious time to panicked thinking.
The most seamanlike sailors are always thinking about their sailboat in the present conditions and considering what crisis might suddenly occur, however unlikely. You may have only seconds to react. To be prepared in case your boat's engine dies at the worse possible time, follow those three steps.
Possible Scenarios
- You're transiting a harbor or channel.
- You're approaching or leaving a dock.
- You're close to a lee shore (downwind, at risk of being blown ashore).
Have the Gear Ready
- Be sure your anchor is ready to drop quickly if needed.
- Have at least one sail rigged and ready to quickly raise or unfurl at any time.
- Have a winch handle accessible for quickly trimming the sail.
- Have a horn or audible device ready to signal other boats whose path you may block.
- Have your VHF radio on, turned to channel 16, and ready to go if you need to call for help or warn others.
- Have PFDs ready for crew who need to go on deck to raise a sail or drop anchor.
- Have your chart available and depthfinder turned on in case you need to quickly choose an anchoring spot.
Have a Plan in Mind
Your choice of the appropriate action depends on many factors, which may vary moment to moment. That's why you should be continually considering the "what if" question about your engine dying. Consider these:
- The direction and strength of the wind.
- The directions you are able to sail at present.
- How many crew are present to help.
- How long it will take to get a sail up and trimmed.
- How well the boat maneuvers in tight quarters.
- The direction and strength of any currents.
- How close are other boats or dangers in the water.
- The water depth and the bottom's holding characteristics.
- How long you may have to wait before the engine restarts or help arrives.
With all these factors involved, it's not easy to quickly decide whether to anchor, try to sail to a safe area, or drift and call for help. But if you think the situation through in advance, playing "what if" as you motor along, you'll make a good decision much more quickly - and possibly avert a disaster that could otherwise result from panicked thinking.
