Here’s another great cruising tip from our friend Capt. John from skippertips.com…
What’s the #1 sailing safety tool that you need to have with you every moment you’re aboard any vessel–sail or power? One that could well save your life one day in the not too distant future?
You might think the personal flotation device rises to the top–but it’s a distant #2 when it comes to this one! This ultimate sailing tool can be used on any boat anywhere in the world. Pack this vital piece of sailing gear with you before you go sailing.
Would you trust this blade to cut you free from a harness, hack through a Genoa sheet, slice off a frozen winch override, or chop through an anchor or docking line in an emergency? Carry it on your person at all times for sailing safety any boat anywhere in the world. Pack this vital piece of sailing gear with you before you go sailing.
Sail World carried a tragic story a short time ago about a young teenage girl. Her sailing dinghy capsized. She had attached herself by a hiking harness to the boat.
When she capsized, the boat turtled on top of her. She was unable to untangle herself from the harness and drowned.
It’s understandable that folks tend to shun knifes and similar equipment on their belts. It’s a bit weighty, adds bulk on a hot day, and many like to sail unencumbered.
But, you absolutely, positively must not board or sail a boat without a knife attached to you. I cannot emphasize this basic, often ignored rule of sailing seamanship enough. Knives save lives. So, what would help encourage sailors to carry knives to help prevent future tragedies? I believe part of the answer lies with the equipment weight.
I began a hunt for a solution and believe I have found the answer…
Remember this name–Boye. This tiny Mom & Pop company is located deep in the desert of Arizona. And they began long ago with one objective–to build the finest sailing knives in existence.
I believe they have achieved this goal and they have some powerhouse endorsements from some of sailings most respected experts to back it all up.
Practical Sailor, Blue Water Sailing and SAIL magazine are the ones to trust when it comes to sailing gear equipment recommendations and testing. No BS reporting along with brutal tests under trying conditions in a sea-going setting.
Here’s what they say:
- “14 High End Blades Tested. The Boye Dendritic Cobalt Knife tops the scoring.”
—Practical Sailor magazine - “The Boye cobalt lockback knife passes with flying colors.”
—Blue Water Sailing magazine - “I have never seen a blade – of any material – sever synthetic cordage like dendritic cobalt,
nor have I ever seen a blade that simply wants to cut like this one.”
—SAIL Magazine
Each Boye blade is formed through investment casting. Molten cobalt is poured into a porcelain mold, and cools in the raw shape of a blade.
In addition to superlative edge holding, Boye blades and titanium and stainless components are entirely rust-proof, and will not corrode even with repeated immersions in salt water–with no rinsing!
As cobalt cannot be magnetized, you can use your Boye knife in safety around any compass or electronics without fear of deviation or interference. The folders open and close with one hand (either hand).
Designed by master knife maker David Boye — with 40 years of knife making experience– the knives are expertly hand ground and fit, have a comfortable, no-slip grip, are easy and fast to deploy, and are ultra light (2.2 oz) and non-bulky.
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Lifesaving gear like this isn’t cheap. Neither is a single human life. Consider this a one-time, lifetime investment. Robust, practical, and well thought out. Ready to serve you at any moment in any situation on any boat anywhere in the world. That’s my idea of superlative sailing gear.
