Hi All,
Context: I live in Knysna, South Africa. We have a beautiful lagoon and estuary here and are well protected from the open ocean by two large land masses or 'heads' which leave a narrow opening to the sea. This channel is of course quite onerous to navigate due to very strong tidal currents and funneled winds. We tend to plan our trips out to sea so that we leave the lagoon on a flooding/rising tide and also return on a rising tide. (At least the tide will bring us back to the lagoon when things go wrong). However, a smaller boat than my H23.5 was pooped recently when coming back from a few hours on the sea and she broached. (A wave broke over her stern) Her centre board can (and was) however be tied down and except for discomfort, there was no problem. Everyone was safe and no harm was done.
However, we have to go through the Heads whenever we want to go to sea. Conditions change quickly and it is not impossible to be caught on the wrong foot or tide.
This started me wondering about my own boat.
I attach a picture of the Knysna Heads.
- Does anyone have experience of the centre board of an H23.5 dropping back 'into the boat' during a broach? By this I mean, that it nestles in its 'wound up' or 'raised' position close to the hull.
- Can one recover from such a broach?
- If this is a real danger, are there any tactics to bear in mind?
Context: I live in Knysna, South Africa. We have a beautiful lagoon and estuary here and are well protected from the open ocean by two large land masses or 'heads' which leave a narrow opening to the sea. This channel is of course quite onerous to navigate due to very strong tidal currents and funneled winds. We tend to plan our trips out to sea so that we leave the lagoon on a flooding/rising tide and also return on a rising tide. (At least the tide will bring us back to the lagoon when things go wrong). However, a smaller boat than my H23.5 was pooped recently when coming back from a few hours on the sea and she broached. (A wave broke over her stern) Her centre board can (and was) however be tied down and except for discomfort, there was no problem. Everyone was safe and no harm was done.
However, we have to go through the Heads whenever we want to go to sea. Conditions change quickly and it is not impossible to be caught on the wrong foot or tide.
This started me wondering about my own boat.
I attach a picture of the Knysna Heads.