We have recently acquired, a taipan 4.9, my wife who loves to sail is nervous about capsizing and would liked to know a better exit strategy than just waiting until it happens to react. She would be skippering and I would be the crew. She is 72 and I am 34 we have more experience with dinghys and capsizing, any suggestions for a plan not to get tangled up? Thanks Andrew and Elizabeth

I sincerely apologize if this seems inappropriate, but is one of your ages there a typo?

No that is not a typo.

Are you sailing with a spinny or cat-rigged?

spinnaker

In that case, you're probably more worried about flipping it on a run. Your wife will need to drive farther off the wind as the puffs lift the windward hull and drive the leeward bow down. Until you guys get the feel, it will largely be in your hands (literally) as crew to let go of the sheet when you're getting into trouble. If the bow really starts to dig in and the spray is getting deep, quickly easing the spinnaker sheet will often bring things back under control. As you get used to the feel, you'll know better when it is time to bail out on a puff and when you're just going really fast and deep. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Anticipation. I'm all for heroics when it comes to trying to avoid a capsize, but if you give in early you have more time to find a spot to slide and/or cleanly enter the water. It's when you're hanging on to the last millisecond of a chance when you start to loose control of your physical destiny.

Downwind things happen more quickly but the same can be true.

Congratulations. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
There's not anything to really get tangled up in but if possible try not to fall or walk on the mainsail.

If you have both been mono sailing your reaction times will easly be as fast as cat sailors. If you are used to flipping out sometimes in a dinghy the water will feel the same.
A very sensible thing to do is flip the boat near the beach and practice getting back on board.
If you are lifting going up wind actually going over takes a year. As a mono sailor you will find it a laugh. Last thing as you are standing on the side of the boat thinking..ooops, unhook.

Go out and just play. Lift it and take it up further and further each time. Get the boat so you are almost on your side and sitting on the outside of the boat. Just stay there almost not moving and high up and looking about. This type of play will make you feel safer and sail better. While you are up on that angle check the drop. More of a slide really. I used to dry roll a lot in monos so I do the same thing on a cat. Just drop down the outside onto the hull using the board as a grip.

Andrew,
Capsizing the 4.9 is not a big deal. It doesn't happen nearly as fast as on a dinghy--my C 15 (fifteen foot single trap two-person dinghy) capsizes very fast by comparison. When the 4.9 goes over, you feel it coming and just hop off and get set to right it. Keep in mind that the 4.9 is not as wide as the I20, F18, or Tornado. So the capsizes are as bad. Best to find a nice sandy beach to practice righting the boat--tip it over then right it a couple time to get a feel for it. Then you'll be ready on the water. I'd be happy to go out and demonstrate a capsize for you on my boat. I'm pretty good at it ;-)

Also, you might want to sail the boat a few times with main only or with jib and main only for simplicity.

Thank you for all your input, it helps put Elizabeth's mind at ease. Nice picture of Paul's (our boat) Thanks. Andrew

I was hoping you'd notice #300.

That doesn't sound too safe to simulate a water righting on the sand, giving that you have only a foot or two clearance under the tramp. You would want to be safely between the hulls and in the water when it rights. Another good tip is to reach for the dolphin striker closest the hull in the water and hold on as the boat starts to right itself. Your weight will help to not topple over again with the momentem of the righting.

Unfortunately I got to practice it this weekend...

So far as exit strategy. My worst fear is to get tangled in my lines while sliding down the tramp and then have the boat turtle. I would hate to get trapped under the tramp.

Grab dolphin striker or flip onto tramp and grab hiking strap as boat lands. Good to be holding the boat but also stop it flipping right through and back over. If you are sailing well and paying attention you really should end up sitting on the outside of the hull when it has gone over. You have many more choices then.If you are sitting inboard so your butt isn't over the gunnel you should have your foot pushing off the hiking strap to support your weight, stops you sliding and give you some options. One some of my boats I have a strap in the centr of the tramp for this support.

That's the beauty of the bar in the middle of the 5.2 tramp. It has saved me from many a slip-n-slide.

I am thinking of retro fitting exactly that with a pvc pipe so I can use it on the reach when keeping the hull out of the water. It allows you to push the weight out in surges very steadily. Everyone knows ...steady movement on a cat....

I was able to get out this afternoon for a couple of hours of "Chamber of Commerce" weather (clear skys, 10 knots, low 80s). I actually paid attention to how much I use that bar to push off of while helming. I couldn't imagine sailing a boat without hiking straps or lacing or something to push off of.

Good to know I not crazy. I am surprized it is not more widely used. Heaps of slide offs would be avoided.