Knocked Down - First Time

[JerryA]

I had a fun day sailing until heading back. I sailed across the bay to the sandbar on Bay Point. The picture is "Purr'n" anchored in about 3ft of water just off the beach. I hung out at the beach for a few hours, had a Corona and then headed back across the bay. The wind had picked up to 16 knots and was pretty steady. I was about 15 minutes from the marina and I was hit by a gust of wind that seemed to steadily increase. I thought I could save it, but I was wrong. "Purr'n" laid there on her side while I made my way around to the keel. I pulled down on the keel and she slowly righted. Glad I had lines on the cleats. I was able to climb back in at the stern without too much trouble. It's amazing how fast the boat moves even when both sheets are released. I sailed the rest of the way with the jib furled. I didn't loose too much stuff. The floating stuff I was able to gather up. It's just incredible how fast the boat reached that point of no return. Anyway now I know what that's like.JerryA

 

[Glenn17427]

At least you didnt turtle !

Nice recovery Jerry,My wife and I lost a lot of personal belongings, we thought they would be okay in the blue net in her hand bag,:-(.......we learned not to take anything we dont want to loose !

 

[Mike]

Nice!

Jerry,Glad to hear you were able to use the old "Laser righting method"! Did you even get wet?!Glenn's right about not turtling! I'm currently selling my 170 (sniff sniff, tear) for a Compac 19 (cabin and marine head for the wife!) and my "aftermarket" foamed mast and boom seem to be something of a selling point.Best,Mike G.s/v Lil Sport

 

[Glenn17427]

Parting ways :-(

Mike,Sorry to hear you are selling the 170 but understand moving up to a larger boat with head would be nice, just not in my cards right now.Did the person buying your boat know the History on the 170 and foaming the mast ?may be my next life time

 

[JerryA]

Gone to the deep, or at least the bottom

Glenn - I didn't loose anything out of the sheet bags or the covered storage up front. I lost my gloves which I had not put back on after leaving the sandbar. I had a cheap portable FM radio that flew across the boat and nailed my Plastimo compass, taking it with it to the bottom. I lost two straps for the main that were laying on the floor. I lost a good knife because I never got around to making a latch for my battery box/console/cup-holder. My sandals, cooler, throwable cushion, and a tool attached to a floating keychain when out too, but since they all floated I was able to pick them up.Mike - I did get wet, but I remembered everyone's advice about hurrying to right the boat before turtling. I did kind of have this moment of awe after I was in the water just looking at the boat and thinking wow that looks weird. Then I remembered I better be hurrying or this could be ugly! I had no problem reaching the board while in the water.It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it's not something I want to practice. Sorry to hear you're selling Mike, but I understand. I too would like something bigger. Most of my losses could have been prevented and I'll be better prepared next time.JerryA

 

[Tereza]

Glad you had a "good" flippin' experience!

I carry nothing I would feel bad about losing, and I try to batten down everything I can. Some things just have to remain loose and accessible, though. When I flipped last year, only lost my chart (with all my notes on it, sigh) and my paddle. The new paddle is still vulnerable, as I don't want to bungee it or tether it - I need it the handiest possible. Have thought about gluing some clamps to snap it in place into, but that's yet another mod I haven't gotten to.Thanks for the story. Mike - best of luck with your "big boat"!

 

[Mike]

Thanks for your support, guys re: my selling 170

Jerry and Glenn,Good to get your other two cents on the capsizing episode. I lost my shades, several still-unopened soda cans, etc. when I turtled my 170. Also drenched my cell phone- but it dried right out and is still going strong. But HAD to get a new battery!Also, thanks for your support/encouragement on my selling my beloved 170. I sold my 10 year old (first brand new car I ever bought) car recently too-- in working up to buying a vehicle that can actually pull a Compac 19. My car was a '96 Mercury Mystique, 4 cylinder, 5 speed-- and it felt the 170 back there most days...much less a 2000 lb. keelboat and 750 lb. trailer... so it was time to sell her (the compact car, that is). It's really weird how we become seriously attached to a car, or boat.I was actually sad when looking back at my olde car for the last time. Life goes in phases. I feel silly being a little sentimental about stuff.Happier news- I spoke to a potential buyer for my 170 last night --he's going to come see her soon (and yeah, I guess the mast-foaming idea is getting around)--- and I'm set to drive out of state to pick up the Compac this Saturday... so at least things aren't boring around here.Best regards, guys, and happy times on the water, every time.Mike G.