Ever been knocked down

[Bob Walker]

My daughter and I took our 1985 Catalina 22 to the Coast last April for a three week cruise through the British Columbia Gulf Islands. On our second day "shakedown" sail out of Gibsons the winds started to pick up with strong gusts. I started the outboard and had her steer into the wind while I furlled the head sail. I had no sooner finished when wham! the boat was on its side. It seemed like forever but in fact only a few minutes transpired befor we were again upright. No doubt I made a mistake - I believe it was: once the outboard was running and we were heading strait upwind I tightened and locked the mainsheet then went to furell the headsail.The keel was all the way down when this occured - This was our maiden voyage on our newly aquired Catalina 22 - with my previous sailing experience on a flying junior 13 and a one week cruise and learn course on a catalina 34.The next day the winds calmed and we did the 20 mile trip across the Straight of Georgia to the gulf Islands for an awsome holliday.The knock down was made even more exciting because my daughter thought " the trip is over and the boat is sinking " so she jumped overboard into the 40 degree F water.Have you ever been knocked down?

 

[steve c]

knocked down

i have not been knocked down mast in the water in a long time (experience)how ever getting knocked down in a c22 is like woops hang on and getting knocked down in a 30-40 foot boat is oooo shit !!!!! i have had my c22 on its side moor than once i even tryed to make it a submarine once slamed the bow in to the back of a wave and plowed through but its all a learning curve just think the moor you skip work and sail the more experience you gain for instance in a heavy blow when i am taking down the main i never tighten the main sheet never i let the boom fall in to the cockpit with the sailthen i can be in the cockpit gathering the sail safley not on the couch roof where i can be tossed of the boat there are lots of little things to learn about sailing safley and fun the frist thing you should do is find the breaking points of your c22 take it out and try to knock it down on your turms to find out the limets of your boat have fun and skip work a lot and sail!!!!!!

 

[Rick Amon]

Safety

The clip on your backstay should never be used, unless your main is down, just for the reason you experienced. The first item I bought, for my 22, was a boom kicker. They are fiberglass rods that fit under the boom and supports the boom when the clip is not attached. The boom kicker can be bought at most on line marine stores.The boom kicker is easier to install, than a topping lift. Either method will prevent the situation you experienced. Rick Amon