I am the proud owner of a Cat 22 and just leaning how to sail. Having read some stories about other small boats, I wondered if anyone has heard of or actually experienced turning turtle on a Cat 22. That is, with the swing keel locked down (all the way) is it feasible to put the mast upside down with the keel up? I would imagine it is possible for sure, but is it a rare occurance? Even with the lockdown bolt secured, it would seem that the keel would come crashing through the trunk if it was wrong side up. Any thoughts about this out there?
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The C22 can turn turtle if you do everything wrong. Keep all hatches closed and latched when the wind picks up. That will keep water from pouring into the cabin and help the boat right itself if the mast does hit the water. Don't over trim the sails in heavy winds. Don't fly too much sail for the conditions. And know when to reef (EARLY!). I have read a report of a C22 which turned turtle in a race when the wind shifted during a spinnaker run. The boat rounded up enough to put it broadside to the wind and blew it over. One crew member who couldn't swim landed in the rigging and held on to keep from drowning. That kept the boat from righting itself. The cabin hatch boards were not in place and the cabin started filling with water before the crew member in the rigging was rescued by the captain. Once the cabin filled with enough water the boat rolled upside down. The owner said he heard air escaping through the keel cable thru hull. Then the keel crashed down with a severe force. By then other racers were olong side helpint to right the boat. That is when it sank. Apparently there was enough water inside the cabin that as the boat started to roll back it just went under and sank in 170 feet of water never to be seen again. All crew was rescued but the boat couldn't be located although many efforts were made. Skip Meisch 1977 C22 Slow Flight #6850 Everett WA
Very rare
Skip's right about that incident but keep in mind his opening line: Only if you do everything wrong. It's highly unlikely that you would turn turtle and you'd really have to try (or be racing with a guy who couldn't swim - and apparently didn't have a PFD on!). Just reef early, get used to the feel of the boat & eventually you'll know where that breaking point will be. Have fun! LaDonna
Skip's right about that incident but keep in mind his opening line: Only if you do everything wrong. It's highly unlikely that you would turn turtle and you'd really have to try (or be racing with a guy who couldn't swim - and apparently didn't have a PFD on!). Just reef early, get used to the feel of the boat & eventually you'll know where that breaking point will be. Have fun! LaDonna
Excellent Advise
Hi , I have read both Skip's and LaDonna's replies and couldn't agree with them more. Positive Flotation is not an option with the Catalina 22, and sailing safe is and always has been a pre-requiste with me as well. There is that certain point , a threshold so to speak, that when "Nature's Cradle" reaches it, we make the needed adjustments to be comfortable. I do believe that you would almost have to WANT to go beyond that to make a Cat 22 turn turtle. If we are talking about a standard set of sails, not a 110% genoa but a standard set, I think you would find the boat healing over almost tip of mast into the water but spilling most of the air out of the sails and wanting to return itself to an upright position on it's own. At least this has been my experience. Reefing in time and keeping the hatches closed, plus letting the sheets play out, to dump the air lessens the chance of turning turtle. Hope this helps. Happy Sailing, Dave LaPere
Hi , I have read both Skip's and LaDonna's replies and couldn't agree with them more. Positive Flotation is not an option with the Catalina 22, and sailing safe is and always has been a pre-requiste with me as well. There is that certain point , a threshold so to speak, that when "Nature's Cradle" reaches it, we make the needed adjustments to be comfortable. I do believe that you would almost have to WANT to go beyond that to make a Cat 22 turn turtle. If we are talking about a standard set of sails, not a 110% genoa but a standard set, I think you would find the boat healing over almost tip of mast into the water but spilling most of the air out of the sails and wanting to return itself to an upright position on it's own. At least this has been my experience. Reefing in time and keeping the hatches closed, plus letting the sheets play out, to dump the air lessens the chance of turning turtle. Hope this helps. Happy Sailing, Dave LaPere
Interesting
When I was learning sailing (marina owned boats) there was a wind limit...I think around 15-20 knots. Under that limit we easily turtled Hobie cats and Darts (like a hobie cat) and Lazers (a dingy). But the Catalina (with fixed keel) would just heel over enough to let you touch the water with your hand. Of course if you just backed off on the rudder or sail a bit it would straigten right up. The physical weight of the keel has a lot to do with its stability. However judging by some of these posts...above that windspeed is a whole different story.
When I was learning sailing (marina owned boats) there was a wind limit...I think around 15-20 knots. Under that limit we easily turtled Hobie cats and Darts (like a hobie cat) and Lazers (a dingy). But the Catalina (with fixed keel) would just heel over enough to let you touch the water with your hand. Of course if you just backed off on the rudder or sail a bit it would straigten right up. The physical weight of the keel has a lot to do with its stability. However judging by some of these posts...above that windspeed is a whole different story.
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