Capsizing?

[twodzusfittings]

How eay is it to capsize a 25.5 with a shallow fixed keel? Reason I ask is that this passed Monday I went out for my first real solo sail. (All the others have been more motoring) Going out into the Bay the wind dropped in speed and I let more jib out, keeping the main still full. After a while I turned to go upstream again heading for the marina and at one pint got a gust so strong it healed the boat all the way over to the edge of the deck. I panicked and turned the boat into the wind which seemed to make it worse and then she settled upright again. I can sincerely say I nearly........my pants. . Obvioulsy way to mauch main and jib for the windconditions. Yes, I am slowly learning through pratice, but that was way to close for me at this stage, not knowing what the boat can really do. Your thoughts.

 

[inarathree]

The boat has sufficient weather helm that if you panic and let go of the helm, she will round up, and point into the wind. I would say that most modern sailboats will do the same. How fast they do this would depend on the size.

Having said that, it will take quite a bit for you to actually capsize (knockdown). There is a video on youtube, where some guys tried to capsize a 25 or 27 foot hunter, and only got as far as burying the rails.

What were the weather conditions? waves/wind speed. If the wind speed was approaching 15 Knts you might want to think about reefing your main sail. Of course doesn't help with unplanned gusts. When it comes to gusts - or gusty conditions - you should be watching the water and other boats. As a gust comes along, you should see it traveling across the water, causing more ripples than the surrounding water. If one of these are approaching, you can prepare by heading up, or sheeting out. I think heading up is preferred.

I wouldn't say not to worry about it, but since your asking the question, you lived to talk about it. Chalk one up to experience.

 

[bakes]

Altough some Admirals on some days vehemently disagree, the longer the rail is kept in the water, the better the fun/boat/helmsperson! Keelboats are really hard to tip over as the forces trying to right them generally increase up to and past a 90 degree heel. However, high waves, cabin flooding, strong wind downbursts, and keels falling off are some pants crapping events.

 

[inarathree]

One other suggestion... Get out and sail a catamaran and go fly a hull, and you will start to get the "feel" for how far over is too far.

 

[MrUnix]

It's pretty hard to knock a sailboat over, and I have actually tried on several occasions in various boats with no success. Yes, massive amounts of adult beverages may have been involved.

Cheers,
Brad

 

[H33CRich]

Altough some Admirals on some days vehemently disagree, the longer the rail is kept in the water, the better the fun/boat/helmsperson! Keelboats are really hard to tip over as the forces trying to right them generally increase up to and past a 90 degree heel. However, high waves, cabin flooding, strong wind downbursts, and keels falling off are some pants crapping events.

I call those time; "laundry moments". With time and experience, they should deminish in frequency. You willl find ways to observe conditions and plan before you go out, have jiffy reefing setup, notice the water surface color change (cats paws), and jump into action when you see other boats to windward suddenly round up. Mother nature keeps it interesting. If you are not prepared, the laundry moments can change into wakes in the parlor.

 

[shipwreck66]

The only boat I'd worry about knocking over is a Mac. I've had my C27 over far enough I had water at the toerail, and had way too much sail for the conditions. Try just main for a while, it's easy to let it out when you need to. If you have a roller furling just put out a little bit of sail. There's actually a Youtube somebody took of my boat set up this way, which is my wife's preference.

 

[AtlanticAl]

I wouldnt worry about it capsizing. Once the boat goes over so far, the wind spills from the sail, it does leave you pinned, but you are not going to go any futher, not unless, you at the same time, get hit with a wave. I got the spreader, on a thirty five footer, to touch the waters of the atlantic ocean, that was between, Charlstone SC, and Bermuda. That was a jelly legs type moment, and a look at the liferaft, with the questions, "is it time to get off" but when everything was released, the boat just came back up, it was full of water, the cockpitt had filled, and from there, flooded through the campanion way, into the cabin, plus what came through the toe rails, and fittings, not to mention, window leaks. Once she was back up, their was no major problem, had a wave hit her, when she was down, that may have been a different story, she could have rolled. It was just stupidty left the main up, when i had been told a storm would be on top of me, by morning. I should have taken the main down, but left her reefed.

 

[DJN51]

Check out you tube video {huntercapsize02].I own a23,5 hunter and my son and I have tried this in all kinds of weather and it heads up every time.Be prepared first time if you try it,pretty nerve racking.