: We usually pull the front of their boat over the front of ours. I've added
: extra glass on the foredeck of mine just in case I ever had to do that. I
: usually use the glass boats when I'm a safety boat, but sometimes you
: don't get to pick when a rescue will be needed

: Bill H.

Hi Bill

If I have to do an X rescue I try to keep the pressure on my deck bag and Spray skirt. I have to first remove my compass though if I have it with me. I avoid X rescues if I can. I do believe though that whatever works for an effective and quick return to the upright position in a dry boat is good.

The floatation bag under the cockpit idea came out of a brainstorming game on this subject. Q.How do we empty a swamped, bulkheadless boat without the use of an X or a pump? A. pull out forward floatation - ensure full inflation with a few extra lungfulls - swimmer sinks flotation perpendicular beneath capsised cockpit - swimmer rocks boat slowly from stern (up down up down) like a sea-saw - boat rises as water flows out. (the boat in question was a big 19 footer)

It worked first time. NB. I have never tried this in rough conditions.

I suspect that with the addition of a few lengths of webbing, a bit of bungie and some velcro here and there, along with a little practice, a perfectly dry self rescue would be achievable.

If this became the defacto method we would all of course be removing our forward bulkheads in order to be able to get at the now indespensible buoyancy bag.

Damn! Now I've gone and re-inspired myself. I am now going to have to go and try it out for size. See what you have done?

All the best and happy paddling.

Etienne