While sailing on a lake last summer, I capsized my Widgeon and swamped it in the process. As the water rushed over the gunwhales, it poured into the holes at the bow within the cockpit. There are panels that are hinged to cover these holes although at the time they were both open. the boat stayed afloat...barely. but I was curious to know if it wouldn't right itself because there might have been water within the inner hull. There are pieces of wood that separate the bow area from the rest of the inner hull. I am wondering if it is ok for water to enter the inner hull at all. Would making the doors that cover the holes in the bow watertight make the boat less susceptible to sinking?
Oday Widgeon swamping
- Thread starter sailordude66
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One should keep all hatches closed when sailing. Sometimes I forget but when I remember they get closed immedaitely. I would think any time you can keep water out of the huge bow area of a Widgeon would certainly keep it from swamping or sinking. I regasketed my two doors and installed stronger bungees to hold them tight. I hope I never have to learn if they work.
If I remember correctly the space between the cockpit floor and the hull is drained by one of the two drains at the rear of the boat. If it is kept open and the boat raised high at the bow when stored any water in there should drain out. At least that's how my 1974 appears to be made. With drain plug and hatches tightly in place you shouldn't get much water in that space. None if you keep the cockpit covered while stored.
If I remember correctly the space between the cockpit floor and the hull is drained by one of the two drains at the rear of the boat. If it is kept open and the boat raised high at the bow when stored any water in there should drain out. At least that's how my 1974 appears to be made. With drain plug and hatches tightly in place you shouldn't get much water in that space. None if you keep the cockpit covered while stored.
Of course the best idea is to not capsize in the first place.
ALWAYS sail with the mainsheet in your hand, use the camcleat to hold the tension, but keep the sheet in your hand. That way you can easily let it out instantly before a capsize happens. The only time i REALLY came close to going over i nthe 8 years that I sailed my Widgeon on Buzzards Bay near Cape Cod (known for the daily southwest wind of 10-15 knots) was the day that I had my Sister along and had her take the helm while I prepared the spinnaker...... being used to a small sailing dinghy and our larger CAL 21 (deep fin-keel)..... when a puff hit she tried to sail through it......luckily I was able to reach the mainsheet and release it before we took much water over the lee rail!
ALWAYS sail with the mainsheet in your hand, use the camcleat to hold the tension, but keep the sheet in your hand. That way you can easily let it out instantly before a capsize happens. The only time i REALLY came close to going over i nthe 8 years that I sailed my Widgeon on Buzzards Bay near Cape Cod (known for the daily southwest wind of 10-15 knots) was the day that I had my Sister along and had her take the helm while I prepared the spinnaker...... being used to a small sailing dinghy and our larger CAL 21 (deep fin-keel)..... when a puff hit she tried to sail through it......luckily I was able to reach the mainsheet and release it before we took much water over the lee rail!
Thank you for the reply!
And unfortunately there wern't and gaskets on those pannels, but i applied gaskets and latches to the pannels and that will hopefully help in the unlikley case of a capsize.
And unfortunately there wern't and gaskets on those pannels, but i applied gaskets and latches to the pannels and that will hopefully help in the unlikley case of a capsize.
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