First Capsize

I am a catamaran sailor, now. Yesterday, I capsized my sailboat in a 12-knot breeze at the Tempe Town Lake. I had been lifting a hull, higher and higher, on several tacks, and I was getting a little ****. My Hobie 16 crashes so slowly… seems to take 10 seconds to slow down and finally hit the water. I ended up sitting on the top hull, thinking, “Oops!” I'm pretty sure my tiller movement during the upset made things worse, not better. I was just easing off the main sheet when it became obvious that the sail was going to get wet.

I slid down the trampoline into the water, and then swam around to the “bottom” of the boat, and easily climbed on the lower hull. A couple in their kayak came by and offered help, and I was glad to have it. It was all I could do to keep the mast from going down into the water, which would have “turtled” the boat… not a good thing, what with a 27’ mast and only 14’ of water below. :-( So the woman joined me on the bottom hull, and together we pulled on the righting rope. In a few seconds, the boat came back onto its “feet”. We hopped onto the hulls, and the kayak came around to where she could climb back aboard it.

I straightened out everything (really, just the halyards had come out of their little storage bag), got my wits back about me, and went back to sailing… another 45 minutes or so of marvelous wind. No more swimming, though.

At one point my water bottle slipped out of its pocket and went overboard. I spotted it out in the middle of the lake, and maneuvered to retrieve it. Wow, that’s hard to do! I was by it five times before I got the right combination of speed, angle, placement, body position, and timing! Felt pretty good once I had it in hand though. Good tacking/jibing practice, around and around. :-)

I took the boat to the dock and dropped jib and mainsail JUST IN TIME. The wind went up to 25 knots, gusting hard, whitecaps on the little lake, and dust filling all the sky. (Tempe is near Phoenix, Arizona.) I spent the next 80 minutes taking the boat apart for the drive back to my place; everything, including the drive itself, was made more difficult by the high winds. I was just so, so happy that I was off the water when the wind picked up. I’d still be out there if I hadn’t called it a day.

Lessons:
I've got a "Mama" mast float coming soon, and I'll feel better about picking up a hull with one of those mounted. I think the mast was being "pushed down" by the force of the wind on the bottom of the tramp. I didn't turn the boat so that the wind was coming from the top/front, like I was supposed to... not doing this made my job MUCH harder, I'm sure. I didn't seem to have much time, once I noticed the mast tip submerging. I could stabilize the turtling by leaning back on the righting line, but couldn't do anything else, it seemed. I was so grateful for the generous help from the kayakers.

I have a water bag, but I lashed it to the TOP of the tramp, where I couldn't reach it easily when standing on the hull. Duh. I'm going to find a way to attach it to the BOTTOM of the tramp, so that it'll be right in front of me when I need it. I'm 6'3" and 210#, so I should be able to do this without a bag if my technique is good... I think.

Practicing the righting drill seems wise. Next time I go out I'll dump it on purpose and get it back upright a couple of times.

The first one is the scariest.

i remember my first capsize... and my first pitchpole... and my first turtle(which happened at the same time as my 2nd pitchpole) but the one thing ive never been able to do is right my boat by myself, i am 6'3" but the kicker is i only weigh like 150 lbs. i do most my sailing on my 16 on tahoe and that lake is brutal and i love it. so when i sail hard failure is never an option, because there may not be somebody around to lend a helping hand... lucky for me though, there always has been someone to help.

Jeez, bean pole! I feel fat now. I'm 6'2" and about 155lbs. I can't right a 16 by myself either. The bags look like the best option.

I can right my Nacra 5.2 alone but I could never right my Hobie 14 alone. That thing would turtle quick!!!

That first capsize is a scary moment but after time it will get where you are not even worried about it. It is part of sailing becachcats!

Before you spend alot of time trying to figure out a righting system try to use proper technique righting.

1. Swim to the bows
2. Pull them into the wind
3. Grab righting line
4. Hopefully it worked

I know that wasn't very detailed but that is really all there is to it. If you can get the wind under your sail you will be amazed at how quickly the boat will pop up. My 5.2 will right its self if the wind is over 18.

Or maybe it would be just as effective to have the kayaker paddle around and lift the mast up and out of the water while you pull on the righting line (same effect but possibly easier logistically. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

On a more serious note it’s a good thing you had someone nearby to assist as if she had gone turtle as you’d have been unable to help yourself. And with the winds increasing in velocity it wouldn’t be a pretty picture.... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

How often is there a kayaker near by when you are sailing?

Listen up "newbiesailor." Here's some tough love for you!

I saw you say this: ....


.... and it gave me the chills. I've sailed on Tahoe once and that is all it took for me to be deathly afraid of the water there. That "warm" layer on top is cold enough to kill you, but that liquid ice that is within reach is just ridiculous. But that's not why it gave me the chills.

Almost exactly 6 years ago, there was a hobie 16 sailor who was soloing in the cold spring-time water and ended up being found to have the same temperature as the deathly cold water!

I have made a compilation of his posts to another forum where he publicized his poor judgment. I beg you to read the attached compilation about Sven.

I sincerely hope that we never have to go through this sadness again. One martyr is already too many.

I hope that somebody will improve their own safety and chances of survival as a result of hearing of this sad story.

GARY

I can't argue your points at all. Except that I favor Darwinism. Cruel as it may be the stupid can't be allowed to be protected. We've got enough bad genes floating about. No pun intended.

I was SO lucky the kayakers were close by. I'd been sailing for about 90 minutes at that point, and been waving and smiling at them every time I'd get close. (I was smiling at everything, of course... learning how to sail the Hobie just does that!) When I capsized, it just so happened that they were on the lee side of my boat, and that was my first request: Can you lift up the tip of the mast and get it started? The man tried to do that, and he couldn't lift it. He was in a kayak, so I'm sure that had something to do with it. And the wind was pushing it down, I'm convinced.

I installed a "Mama Bob" on the top of my mast today (thanks for shipping it so quickly, CatSailor!), and I'm ready to go out there again. Tomorrow looks good...

Thanks for the encouragement, folks! This is a very helpful community.

Get a Power Righter to ensure you can right the boat by yourself if needed. They are easy to install and use. If you have 2 people any standard righting line will do.

Good Luck!!

Thank you, Gary, for saving all that about Sven. I know we published most of in our magazine at the time, but I can't remember what forum it was that he was posting on.

You're right that RickinMesa's posts are a "chilling" reminder of what happened to Sven.

I was more disturbed by "newbiesailor's" post than by "ricknMesa's" post. I will copy it here and you can tell me whether or not it reeks of Svenism.

I sure hope that these gentlemen will take heed!


GARY

are you calling me unintelligent??? i do agree there are alot of bad genes out there, but i am not. i am an incredibly smart person and very concious of what i am doing at all times. i grew up on that lake, i know tahoe like the back of my hand, i know how long i can be in the water before bad things will start to happen. i stay close enough that i could swim to shore if need be. there are times that i really like to push the envelope, and i only do that in 2 situations: 1, my parents are in their speed boat to help if needed. 2, there are enough people out on the water that i hope are kind enough to lend a hand. but in the latter i still hold back. i am a very smart person, i know when to back things off, i know my own limits, and i know what i can and cant do. and im sure you are going to respond that im so arrogant because im only 21. this NOT true... i do not appreciate being told that i should be "weeded out". i am a rock climber, biker, outdoor and sailing enthusiast. i know and understand the risks i put myself through on a daily basis. just because i do things that you feel "stupid". you feel it stupid, merely because you cannot understand the reason i do it. so please do me a favor and back off. just because i do things you dont consider "safe" does NOT mean i am stupid nor does it mean i have "bad genes"... if ANY of you really knew me, you would not be sitting here insulting me like this. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

There are old sailors and there are bold sailors...

USGS sez "The water temperature near the surface generally cools to 40 to 50oF (4.5 to 10oC) during February and March and warms to 65 to 70oF (18 to 21oC) during August and September. Below a depth of 600 to 700 ft (183 to 213 m), the water temperature remains a constant 39oF (4.0oC)."

Newbiesailor, as the guy who pointed at you, I certainly was not trying to insult you. I also never insinuated that you were less than smart and safe but, I was worried.

I hope you read the Sven information that I provided.

GARY

Newbie- Take a look back at your life in five years. You'll be amazed at some of the things you did. How many close calls you had and the boldness which you no longer have. Sometimes it takes a slap in the face to realize the stupidity of ones actions. I used to drive everywhere at a 100mph. After a little time on house arrest I stopped doing that. I used to ride a bike religiously in the 150's on public roads, then I hit a patch of mud on the highway doing 130 and slid 700ft. I didn't hit anything solid and walked away. Then took a ride in an ambulance after shock set in from all the missing skin. I don't think anyone is calling you stupid. Just some risks aren't worth the reward and being younger your judgement is clouded. I'm sure in five years I look back at my life now and wonder how I didn't fall prey to darwinism. I'm sure the vast majority of people would agree including me that I was a dumbass on all accounts for being like that.

hobiegary, i did read the compilation of posts you had made. i thankyou for looking out for my safety, but i assure you that i am a very safety concious person (just because i know what is safe does not mean i always to that however...) i beleive you were trying help me, and admitedly, that compilation you put up can, at times, sound like me. but i would like to make it known, upon my first capsize, i bought a righting bag, though i have yet to successfully use it, and upon my first turtle, i got a mast float, despite what i think of them. i take a few saftey measures, albeit they are small, but i take them nonetheless. and hobiegary, i was more refering to the comment remarked below. if their name appears with the quote, i apologize that was not my intention.

"I can't argue your points at all. Except that I favor Darwinism. Cruel as it may be the stupid can't be allowed to be protected. We've got enough bad genes floating about. No pun intended."
...and who decided what qualifies as stupid or bad genes anyways???

also, if i appeared WAY too defensive, allow me to explain. i am a devoted rock climber. i have been called stupid, retarded, having a death wish, insane, etc. NONE OF WHICH ARE TRUE. when people see some of the things i do, they often ask me why i do something so inherently dangerous and stupid. i then explain, the reasons i do what i do. and they still call me stupid and insane. they dont want to understand, they just want to sit there and insult me and tell me that i am going to get myself killed. i am not going to go into the reasons that i do things on rock or on a sailboat that others consider stupid and insane because they are not going to understand my reasoning and will not change your opinions of me. and my reasoning is only fully comprehensible through experience. so, again, if i seemed overly defensive, it is because of this constant ridiculing and uphill battle i fight constantly, and i hope that you see my reasoning for being so defensive on the matter.

The rest of us when someone dies in a needless and stupid manner of which could have been easily avoided.

first off, im glad to hear that you were not seriously injured in your motorcycle accident. ive heard some very bad stories of motorcycle accidents, and i consider you incredibly lucky to WALK away with your injuries. i do not consider my judgement to be clouded in the least (a response im sure you all expected) i think situations through, and calculate the risks involved. when something doesnt feel right, i back off. when i take bigger risks, i make sure that they are worth the reward. and i do not consider you dumb, stupid, insane, and so on for doing the stunts you did when you were younger. im sure your reasoning for doing such things was good enough for you, whatever they may be... impressing girls, getting rid of anger, spiritual reasons, or just because you love that adrenaline pumping through your veins. and in 5 years, i think i will probably be doing the same things i am now... except i will be done with school... and have a job...

I would've said the exact same thing at 21. I'm only 26 now. A lot of things change. It's really wierd how much ones perspective and priorites change. I used to be fearless. Completely. Motocross, snowmobiling, snowboarding, roadracing. You get sick of the pain when you make a mistake. Stitches, consussions, one gunshot wound, broken bones, torn ligiments, dis-located joints. Been down that road, don't want to do it again.

Anyone can weight in with their opinion. It's confirmed by the person who croaks while demonstrating bad genes and/or stupidity.

"Hey y'all watch this!"

"Hold on. I saw this done in a cartoon."

"Chicks dig it."

Newbiesailor:
Don't get too offended, everyone means well around here. Some just have a variety of experiences. All of us have had some type of close call, some closer than others. And the stories of others' severely dangerous experiences send chills to many of us because we can imagine some of our own past situations could have gone a lot worst than they actually did. Just keep safety in mind while sailing and learn from your mistakes, instead of repeating mistakes. Repeating mistakes does mark the "truely stupid". I don't think that describes you.

hobie1616, thankfully, i have never done anything "stupid" for those reasons... i had a friend who said the most famous last words were "hey guys... watch this!!!" when i do certain "unsafe" activities, i always do them for myself and my own reasons. because when you do them for anything/anyone else, thats when you are most likely to get hurt or even killed.
jeff, i appreciate your comments, and honestly, i have been trying to not be too offended, and once again, i apologize for the explosion i had. taking things like this offensively has been something i have REALLY been trying to work on over the years. but it was ingrained in me by all the "freehanders" and "supersized" tourists of the outdoors (those names come from a rather funny, but true, climbing article... sorry). basically these are just people who want to sit and ridicule you for being "insane" and so on... so when i sometimes feel mocked and ridiculed for my activities, or "boldness" as it was referred to earlier, i tend to get a little defensive. i am once again sorry for getting so... pissy, if you will. i know you all mean well, and i will heed your warnings and concerns. thankyou.