Capsize causes and remedies

This website has a really interesting steel boat. However in their description on heavy weather sailing at

http://www.lifestyle-sailing.com/wawcs0126205/idDetails=167/Heavy weather sailing

he (John) says authoritatively "A boat that is not moving cannot capsize" (that is not under way) In fact isn't it safer to run with the sea on the quarter than to lie ahull ? Particulalry with the high form stability they claim.

Thanks for your thoughts

Lyndon

 

Both his analysis and conclusions are incomplete. Being hit by a breaking wave is also a likely capsize scenario. A boat that is not moving and is hit by a breaking wave will probably capsize and suffer impact damage.

The best strategy depends on lots of variables such as sea room, hull type, self steering ability, resources (crew and equipment) and the nature of the storm waves that have developed. To think that there is one strategy that's equally suitable in an onshore storm in the shallow waters of the western approaches of the English Channel as it would be in mid ocean is overly optimistic.

Read as widely as you can as few people will experience more than one big storm in their careers. So select what you think will work for you and perhaps an alternative.

In the end it's like religion - you pick one that gives you comfort and just hope come judgement day you have picked one that appeases the right god. If it turns out you guessed wrong and that the 'almighty' is in fact a multi-headed green alien that can only be placated by child sacrifice, then at least have enough ingenuity and resources in reserve to still change tack despite teetering on the threshold of the pearly gates.

 

Yeah - dont you hate those multi-headed green aliens you get on the around the world trips.

You know - the hardest time in anyones life is when you have to sacrifice a loved one to a multi headed diety .... but other than that, it was a good trip!

 

http://www.o-bible.com/cgibin/ob.cgi?version=bbe&book=ecc&chapter=3

3:2 and 3:3 stick out...

A little passive for the members of this forum, eh?

Ok, but he does mention sea anchor, which mean he do not want to take the beating from the side... Which again mean that he's considered some actions.

IMHO, I think he may have a point; I've always thought it best to go either slower than, or faster than the sea.... If its's bad, either bow against the wind (actually done that.... steering in the oposite direction..., small sailboat, damaged rig, engine at max...). Or rear (or bow) against wind, going slower than the relative speed of the sea, hitting the gas throttle to correct the route of the boat. The last one, can give some additional available power and steering, which you will not have, if you go at a higher speed where turbulence in the rudder area may occur, interesting situation , but rather stressful, can't pour coffee or do anything... A boat going slower than the sea, can be considered as "not moving", the GPS will perhaps tell you otherwise...(Badly expressed, but I hope you get my meaning).

And; this is my experience, from smaller boats <30 ft....

I will always claim the right to change my opinion in any direction....

 

They are totally clueless in their reasoning. The main reasons for capsizing they state are typical for any modern cruiser/racer in perfectly good sailing weather when driven over their (boat&crew) capabilities and it's got next to nothing to do with a capsize in a real storm.
Despite the reasoning they represent as a solution the only possible way these boats can more or less safely be handled in a storm.
Just waiting when someone suggest going "turttle" as an anticapsize strategy which by the way is more stable position for many of modern "offshore" boat

 

There is not such a thing like an un-capsizable boat. Just a matter of the right breaking wave on the side, regardless of speed. Unless that author wants to mean a boat in a marina when he says 'a not moving boat'

Cheers.

 

shoooot,,,im as smat as him,,,but got simpler version,,,,,Waves cause you to capsize,,,,solution,,,,keep boat on land,,,hehe

 

What about earthquakes?

 

sky hook