The 5 Ways A Sailboat Actually Kills Its Own Crew

The 5 Ways A Sailboat Actually Kills Its Own Crew A sailboat is supposed to be a safe haven. But sometimes, the very equipment designed to help you sail becomes a weapon. In August 2025, a 74-year-old skipper on a round-the-world voyage died after his own electric winch wrapped him around the drum . A faulty switch, a rope left coiled, and no emergency stop turned a routine sail change into a fatal trap . Here are the five ways a sailboat can actually kill its own crew.