From time to time people ask on these forums how far a Catalina can heal, will it tip, sink, etc. The answer to all of this is yes it can sink (it’s a boat) and yes it can be knocked down but I can now speak from experience that it is very gentle. I was racing my wing keel this year at the Nationals and while flying the 150 genoa and the main rounding the weather mark we were hit by a gust well over 25 kts. The crew was all on the high side and the boat laid completely over. According to the committee boat at the mark the entire wing keel and rudder were out of the water. The Genoa was in the water, and there was water coming over the coming into the seating area. The boat stayed on its side until the main was released and immediately stood back up. No crew (yes 3 were children) were injured or hurt and the boat performed perfectly. The cockpit drains but its not instantaneous. After finishing the race (not last!) we were reflecting on the event and talking with other experts. Here are some lessons learned.
Oh yeah one more note. The cockpit coaming holes are great for your phone until they fill with water! Fair winds my fellow sailors!
- Knockdowns happen, relax, you are not going to die and the boat will right itself. The boat will easily heal until water is just starting over the rail with no issues. Your keel is just about out as water reaches the wench on the coaming and completely out when it flows into the cockpit.
- All cockpit lockers must be latched. The number 1 way to see our little boats sink is for that lazaret lid to open quickly filling the cockpit and cabin with water.
- Swing keels rarely fall back into the trunk even in a knock down(according to those who have done it more than a few times)
- During a knock down think like a dingy. Get to the high side, release the main and let the jib sheet go to spill any water it may collect in the sail. I have inner tracks and the genoa was sheeted tight and did not collect water but it can be an issue.
- Once the boat is up check all crew. Remain calm and talk through how even though it was scary it’s not the end of the world. After all that’s what life jacks are for and in the end it’s just a boat. We can always get a new one.
Oh yeah one more note. The cockpit coaming holes are great for your phone until they fill with water! Fair winds my fellow sailors!