G’day we went to the Sauna Sail last weekend with one Arrow on top of the Taipan 5.7 took 7hrs drive each way but was worth it. My 11yo daughter Enya sailed the Arrow and managed not to capsize or crash with 184 boats on the water in her 1st regatta away from home, she was the only junior sailing solo on a cat and the committee gave her great encouragement including the award of a mainsheet at the presentation. I sailed with my wife Liz as crew. On Saturday there was enough wind for 2 on the wire and at times me on the wire with the spin so great fun. On Sunday it was light wind all day only 2 out of 3 races competed. On Monday the wind was blustery and swinging, before the start we shredded our spin and a Tornado went over but the start was fine, after we rounded the top mark about half way down to the downwind mark the wind dropped out so we moved forward on the tramp, let the traveller out, jib out, outhaul off etc and were chatting with 3 kids in a dinghy when next thing a big puff got us and the leeward bow went under. I beared down let off the last of the traveller, jumped to the back of the tramp just in time for both the bows to go under and both of us to do the whole arms flailing legs kicking routine through the air in a pitchpole. I was amazed that the Taipan kept coming over and turned turtle with the mast stuck in the mud which kept one hull about 3ft above the water. The good thing about a pitchpole is we certainly cleared the area of where the cat tipped over. The kids in the dinghy went past hooting and shouting absolutely loving the show. Its become important that I don’t do that very often to my crew and she shows me the bruises every chance she gets so I’d appreciate some tips. I know I should have been watching behind and it wouldn’t have been a problem with the spin up but next time I find myself in that position with time to do one thing what should I do. Pull in the traveller? Let off the main? Try and round up? Or a combination of these things.
regards

Jeff,

Sorry I didn't have time to find you and have a chat during the 3 days of racing. There was just too much happening.

You weren't the only one to have their mast stuck in the mud. Two Mozzies went over in unison at the bottom mark during one of those bullets. At least it was warm in the 23 degree C water.

I don't know the answer to your question and will leave it to others who sail with spinnakers.

Regards,

Peter.

Hard to figure out from your description whether you had the spinnaker up or not when you went over. Since you shredded your spin before the start I am thinking you did not.

You are right that you have to look behind you in gusty conditions. You will see that puff just about to hit you, if you do, and can take appropriate actions. Like getting way back on the boat and holding on to something that will stay there. If you did not have the spin up and the main was all the way out, and you were not going DDW, the best thing to do is head up toward the wind like you did.

If you have a spinnaker up it is just the opposite. You are generating much of your own wind so going up will increase that. It is a trick to remember to go down with the spinnaker up to depower if you have never sailed a spin cat before.

Glad you had fun! She should keep showing you the bruises so you will not do it again. My crew would have a fit if I did that to her. Rule on our boat is "no capsizing".

Later,
Dan

Dan

Inquiring minds want to know.....
What is the or else on your boat?
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.
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Mine is ... we sell the boat and she gets Jewelry...
She's better then the windspeed indicator in calling the breeze!....
So... that meant an A cat in the fleet!

Thanks guys the spin wasn't up and I tried to bear away and go dead down wind to save the capsize. If the spin was up I felt that the main would have been centered and the spin would have lifted the bows instead of the boat just tripping. It looks like I should have let the main off and rounded up instead of trying to bear away as I would have with the spin. Very important that this doesn't happen too often, she's already speaking whistfully about the 5.8
regards

if i am reading everything correctly.. It sounds like you did everything correctly (travel OUT and move back the crew (and skipper)

if you can move back the jib blocks (if adjustable) that would help spill off some air... (or if really overpowered, furl the jib completely if possible)