Fishing Erie alone--safety issues

[gettum]

I like to fish more than my fiends, so I go out on Lake Erie by myself a lot. Of course I always wear a vest even though I am a good swimmer, but one thing I have been thinking about is what if I should fall overboard while trolling. The boat would keep going. Thought about tying myself to the boat with some kind of harness, or else some kind of kill-switch I'd trip (or even some wire connection I'd break)if I fell off. Anybody have any good ideas?

[bob oh]

Gettum, I would absolutely do something. First of all I would not fish alone this time of year - 48 degree water!!! If you have something kill the motor and you are tied to the boat, you have a very short time to get in the boat before you are too weak from hypothermia to climb in the boat assuming you have a good ladder that you can get to. If the motor kill doesn't work it would still be good to be tied to the boat so they can find your body. Not trying to be a smart ....., but fishing alone in spring conditions is really dangerous....i wouldn't do it..
Bob

[N.D.]

Talk to you outboard dealer , he may know...

[Bluewater]

Fishing alone has it's risks. Last year my kicker prop wound an unmarked, abandoned commercial net that stopped the motor dead. The wind quickly rotated the boat putting tension on the connected motor with the cabin working as a sail.Trying to releave as much pressure and draw from the wind I opened the cuddy hatch and and layed all canvas down. I tied myself to the boat with a rope and had the life jacket on. I stood on the lower unit of the boat and stretched to cut the net with carcasses of decomposed fish rising to the surface. As I cut the net the boat surged with the wind and luckily caught myself on the kicker to pull myself in. I looked around and the nearest boat was miles away. It happens that fast. Erie gives us much, but it can quickly take away.

[Gray Ghost]

Most modern kickers have a safety clip - e.g. a clip which is attached to a kill switch and to your belt. If you fall overboard it kills the kicker. If your kicker does not get killed then you will probably get killed, in low water temperatures.

If the kill switch line isn't long enough to let you move around the boat, you could just tie another piece of line to it.


GG

[Allen]

One of the best investments you could make is a full floatation suit for early and late fishing. THey are warm and if you fall in you have a better chance of survival against hypothermia than you do with just a life vest. Buoy O Buoy and Mustang are two that come to mind. THey are not cheap, but neither is life.

[Airwave]

Did you know that it is actually illegal to go out alone in your boat. All vessels must at all times mantain a proper lookout by sight and hearing .Other than the driver!!!Just thought you'd like to know. One of those uninforced rules. Unless you should in up in court for some reason..

[gettum]

Thank you all for your replies. I realize that you cannot be careful enough. I will look into wet suits and kill switches to try and protect the one life I was given!

[wishicouldfish]

It's not illegal to be in a boat by yourself unless someone is waterskiing or innertubing behind it. I think that is about the dumbest comment I have heard yet.

[Airwave(OH)]

Then perhaps you should pick a copy of USGC Navigation Rules and read rule # 5 before you open your mouth.

[Swat1]

And just in case you question if this rule applies to you read rule #1 as well.

Don't mess with someone who has just been to school and studied as hard as you have to in order to be able to pass the Coast Guard Captains Test. LOL

Ask at your local book store for the U.S. Department of Transportation/ United States Coast Guard Navigation Rules, International-Inland
COMDTINST M16672.2C