The Perfect Escort
david_barra
NYCharter Member
So, as marathon swimmers, we pride ourselves on our minimalist attire, but we are indeed dependent on much equipment to make our swims safe and successful. The ultimate indulgence is to have a personal escort, at one's disposal. I've started to outfit a 22' Zodiac for the specific purpose of providing safety for OW events and escort for solo swims.
Naturally, creature comforts have taken a back seat to more practical things like; transportability, fuel efficiency, cost, etc.
As an ex-Coast Guard vessel, it is that nice (get the attention of recreational boaters) orange color, fast and maneuverable. I'll be equipping it with a prop guard. The low gunwales will make it easy to feed off of, and (if necessary) easy to pull a swimmer into the boat. Safety lines run the length of the tubes, and a couple of interior handles allow a swimmer to exit the water unassisted with little effort.
There is no head, no bunk, no galley, so the crew will have to endure a bit of discomfort over the long haul...
As soon as someone can explain how to upload pics, I'll post a few in progress.
Now.... as far as the perfect escort goes, I think it would be hard to beat the Outrider... beds aplenty, good food, hot shower, and room for a whole battalion!
Naturally, creature comforts have taken a back seat to more practical things like; transportability, fuel efficiency, cost, etc.
As an ex-Coast Guard vessel, it is that nice (get the attention of recreational boaters) orange color, fast and maneuverable. I'll be equipping it with a prop guard. The low gunwales will make it easy to feed off of, and (if necessary) easy to pull a swimmer into the boat. Safety lines run the length of the tubes, and a couple of interior handles allow a swimmer to exit the water unassisted with little effort.
There is no head, no bunk, no galley, so the crew will have to endure a bit of discomfort over the long haul...
As soon as someone can explain how to upload pics, I'll post a few in progress.
Now.... as far as the perfect escort goes, I think it would be hard to beat the Outrider... beds aplenty, good food, hot shower, and room for a whole battalion!
...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.
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The wife is lobbying for something along the line of "My Darling Clare"
Gotta choose your battles........... (to be continued)
...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.
Regardless, she's a beaut!
...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.
...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.
Hopefully we splash next weekend.
...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.
I've been seeing things on The Facebooks, and thought it was worth bumping this thread.
Sadly, many of us do not live in San Francisco. Consequently, I've been looking at getting my own little RIB (not quite as fancy as deep-pockets @david_barra over there), and wanted to know from those of you who often use these types of boats, what makes The Perfect Escort boat?
What are your experiences and recommendations?
I don't wear a wetsuit; it gives the ocean a sporting chance.
Seriously though... Agent Orange is great ( despite not having "facilities"). The SERC boats are better in my mind than the Dolphin Club boats as they are small enough to handle and easy enough for 4 people to lift out of water.They also plane better, despite the prop guards which affect cavitation (sp?).
The kayaks are fine for coastal swims but we would NEVER use them as sole support on a cross channel swim.
As Andrew said, they are for members use only.
We spent three hours in the hard rain yesterday on Lake Union getting her engine broken in, which ended with us picking up @caitlinrosen's mother and crossing the the lake for some cheese and crackers on a houseboat. Such whimsy, and this is just the first day!
Tuesday is and Achilles SG-124 (12 feet 4 inches) with a Tohastu 25hp electric start engine, inflatable bottom, and the ability to legally seat five passengers. She lives on a trailer (customized with bigger bunks to accommodate her flexible bottom). Because of her small size, she can be pulled behind my little car with no problem, meaning we can choose between the Lake and the Sound very easily.
Many of Seattle's most intriguing swims are now open to us! This will be a fun summer.
There are a few more pictures along with a rationalization of this purchase at andrewswims.com.
I don't wear a wetsuit; it gives the ocean a sporting chance.
Your boat is similar to the ones used in the old Magog race. They cradle the swimmer really well in addition to nice eye to eye contact with the trainer. Not so comfortable for the passengers for long durations and can be a beating based from some past experiences.
New suit
It’s me or the suit,
one is a liar. We’re not
both a thirty-two.
"Lights go out and I can't be saved
Tides that I tried to swim against
Have brought be down upon my knees
Oh I beg, I beg and plead..."