A boat capsized in SD bay yesterday. Rumor has it that the keel was not down in the MacGregor 26 and it was overloaded. It begs the question of how much is too much for a Cat 30? In a thread earlier, I mentioned that I will be taking some scouts to Catalina Island from San Diego this summer and am curious of how much gear, people I should plan on. Thoughts?
Capsizing a Cat 30
- Thread starter dstaylor95
- Start date
- Status
Kind of an inconsistent worry. You have a full keel. Don't be alarmed by someone else doing stupid things, like a Mac with the keel up. That was just plain dumb, reckless and the results speak for themselves. It was the skipper, NOT the boat, that caused this tragic event, which wasn't really an accident.
If you're asking how many people can a C30 handle and how many sodas you can bring, I suggest you try some things out first before you travel to Catalina.
Have you had any ocean experience yourself yet?
Things like that.
Many many people have traveled in C30s, C27s, C25s and even C22s from your area to Catalina and back safely.
You should have a great trip, watch the weather.
If you're asking how many people can a C30 handle and how many sodas you can bring, I suggest you try some things out first before you travel to Catalina.
Have you had any ocean experience yourself yet?
Things like that.
Many many people have traveled in C30s, C27s, C25s and even C22s from your area to Catalina and back safely.
You should have a great trip, watch the weather.
Ds,
Stu is correct about weight & weather.
The correct numbers of passengers are not too many.
I never take more than four people as the cockpit shape limits the number for comfort & mobility. As for weather, you gotta pick the good window of opportunity.
It can be a long day for the captain having to not step on toes and constantly asking to please move here & there when boat handling.
As for capsizing, with the fin keel configuration, the boat will hit a hard heel from wind, but having the rudder overpowered for steering will round itself bow first into the wind. This would be the time to throw the traveler loose and quickly shorten the head sail.
Florida summer weather can be volatile in summer. I was hit by two microbursts one time and the boat was all the way over on her side.
I stood with my feet on the port side rise at the aft lazarette holding onto the stbd side rail. I watched water running along the toe rail. This lasted about 45 seconds and the boat finally rounded upright into the wind.
The funny thing was the boat was running at about 5 kts w/motor on & main up, having just unfurled the headsail. When the burst first hit, I thought it was just a strong gust as I was surrounded by thunderheads.
The boat kept healing over until I just held on as an observer, with nothing else to do. The boat, though was happy. It was not under great stress and still moving steady only it was on her side. The mast tip I guessed was about 20/25 or so feet above the water.
After this, on the news that nite they reported microburst conditions in the area that day. But still no capsizing on my C30 boat…
CR
Stu is correct about weight & weather.
The correct numbers of passengers are not too many.
I never take more than four people as the cockpit shape limits the number for comfort & mobility. As for weather, you gotta pick the good window of opportunity.
It can be a long day for the captain having to not step on toes and constantly asking to please move here & there when boat handling.
As for capsizing, with the fin keel configuration, the boat will hit a hard heel from wind, but having the rudder overpowered for steering will round itself bow first into the wind. This would be the time to throw the traveler loose and quickly shorten the head sail.
Florida summer weather can be volatile in summer. I was hit by two microbursts one time and the boat was all the way over on her side.
I stood with my feet on the port side rise at the aft lazarette holding onto the stbd side rail. I watched water running along the toe rail. This lasted about 45 seconds and the boat finally rounded upright into the wind.
The funny thing was the boat was running at about 5 kts w/motor on & main up, having just unfurled the headsail. When the burst first hit, I thought it was just a strong gust as I was surrounded by thunderheads.
The boat kept healing over until I just held on as an observer, with nothing else to do. The boat, though was happy. It was not under great stress and still moving steady only it was on her side. The mast tip I guessed was about 20/25 or so feet above the water.
After this, on the news that nite they reported microburst conditions in the area that day. But still no capsizing on my C30 boat…
CR
I commented on your post about the trip you were thinking about a few months ago and now see it referenced again and since you are asking for thoughts, may I give mine? When I read your first post about taking scouts from SD to Catalina I thought it sounded premature for what sounded like not much experience with long trips. There are alternatives to making the trip in one haul… you could do SD to Oceanside then to Catalina, or even better in my opinion, SD to Dana Point, then Catalina. It is a long trip... SD to DP is a long day. I am not assuming that you don't have experience but if I were the parent of one of the scouts I would sure want to know that you have done this trip and others similar until you were really comfortable and confident. You would know what provisions you'd need and everything you'd need for safety as well. When we did our Newport to Ensenada trip it was with very experienced fellow crew and we planned and purchased things necessary for 4 months or so with lots of thought and discussion. Things happen and that is ok as long as you've done the practice and preparation that makes YOU feel comfortable to then safe keep your scouts. I do not in any way mean this as an insult, I think we all constantly think and rethink our strategies no matter how much experience we have. I can tell you that one of the reasons that we have enjoyed so many great trips is because we trust the people we travel with, and contribute to that trust more and more the longer we sail together.
When you are really ready and prepared it will be a trip everyone will always remember with fondness.
I do wish you all the best.Thanks for everyones thoughts. The plan is to have 3 boats "caravan" up to Two harbors. I agree and would like to break it into a stop into Dana Point, but the timeline is driving a straight shot. I plan on having a experienced sailor with me in my boat. trying to get as much info as possible to prepare myself and the trip. The Scouts are 14+ and this is their High Adventure trip. Trying to determine how best to approach this from all fronts. My background is flying in the military and preparation is the key to success, but also it is very codified. Hence my original question of how much is too much, as a airplane has a weight and balance, how does that compare with a sailboat?
My concern would also be the health of the scouts on such a long crossing. Have they experienced being at sea for an extended duration? This isn't going to be an afternoon sailing around on the bay. And a 14 year old "boy", is already the size of an adult. It doesn't matter how many scouts are on board, 4, 6, etc.... When the first one pukes, it's going to be a miserable cruise, for everyone.
My 2-cents....
Don
My 2-cents....
Don
- Status