Reply To: How should you rescue an OK ?
I enjoyed reading the experiences of OK sailors who have been successfully towed. I do have some concerns regarding today’s rescue techniques and some of the popular Club Classes. It is interesting to think of how the OK compares to other less Rescue Friendly Classes.
I would also try and take a tow by fastening the tow rope to the mast if the buoyancy tanks were holding up. If the bow tank had sunk and the dinghy was only held up by the stern tank then I would fasten the tow rope to the tow straps and ask the rescue boat to tow the OK along stern first. I mention this stern first technique as early OK’s only had one bow tank, while today we have a nose tank and an another buoyancy tank around the centerboard case.
The OK is a very seaworthy boat and while it is easy to rescue with it’s mast making an easy towing point and having a sail which can be lowered at sea. The problem is that these traditional safety points are not always understood and are not always found on other boats. Many classes do not have a towing point or a sail that can be lowered at sea. I think it is the Contender which has recently changed its rules to allow the removal of the towing point at the prow of the boat. The Laser is famous for its sleeve on sail, while the International 14 I mentioned in my original post on this issue, had a mast almost in the middle of the boat meaning it could not be used as a towing point.
It just makes me think that the OK is a rescue friendly boat while other plastic classes are a real concern for rescue crews.
Regards
Martin Ward
