| interesting
| Thats a SeaHawk, the marinised version of the BlackHawk helicopter.
| Pretty sure this is a discussion Rob wouldnt want, having said that
| ... :)
|
| If theyre maintaining 50 knots in the helo then the sea state surface speeds are probably moving closer to 40+ knots. The sea state and aerial water another matter. Ive not been out in circumstances that match that but Ive seen it and know enough not to want to be out
| there.
|
| Scary, no doubt, life threatening, quite easily. Not to be too much of an armchair sailor but we get gusting way over 40 knots (even 50 - 60+) out here in the gulf all the time. Im not due to be reefing first reef until 25.
| I think whats missing here is confidence in the boat, ... which is entirely fair.

To be fair, Rob does not really restrict topics on this list. He can, but rarely has said anything is off topic. But my experiences may be more limited than yours.

Lost boats are hardly off topic.
Rescue at sea is rare enough.
Air rescue during a wild storm is straight up dramatic and awesome.
Wandering into a side discussion of how awesome SeaHawks are should be expected.
Thus, I argue, it's fine.

When I was first interested in experimental home builts I read and collected stories of all the crashes I could find. Many commented how it was weird to talk about 'how planes crash' while building a plane. History is a better teacher than experience, and extracting wisdom from the price already paid makes more sense, to me, than paying the price oneself, again.

I really respect Woods for writing those articles. IMHO, parts 2, 3, and 4 are better. In that they are more analytical of the events as teaching moments. If I ever had a bad word to say about him, those articles would not let me say it.
Most lost boat stories are nothing like an NTSB crash report. It's hard to find factual sources, and accounts of the events, are, generally, crap, IMHO. If someone has better sources, I would love to know of them.

Part 2 is very informative.
http://www.sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/articles/38-offshore-cuising-articles/32-eclipse-perfect-storm-part-2

I have noted how Rob has repeatedly said, 'if its THAT bad a storm, I would grab a bottle and go below.'

Are there any sailors that would like to compare and contrast being in a HP to Woods account in a cat, for the purpose of understanding safety in a HP?

Can that be done, respectfully?