Saturday afternoon I went out for a training session on my Nacra 6.0 with a new crew to get a little time on the boat together before we race for the first time. My crew comes with much experience on the 6.0, so I was looking forward to a great sail. We left the beach and headed up wind in a good 15 knt wind. Double trapped and just kind of shooting the breeze, we flew a hull across the bay blissfully unaware of what the Gods had in store for us. As we neared the far shore and decided to do some downwind work, the wind increased to a solid 20 with some higher gusts. Chop in the bay was in the one to two foot range. As the boat accelerated off the wind, crew moved out onto the wire, and I to the far back of the tramp. All I can say at this point is HOLY MOTHER OF INDONESIAN TSUNAMIS!!! as there are solid walls of water crashing across the tramp. Playing the part of Captain Kirk, I'm calling for more power and an increase in speed to warp nine. My crew, playing Scottie is advising me against this as she does not think we can take much more. Well, as much as it pains me to say this......she was right, and I was WRONG!!! The lee bow stuck into the back side of a wave and the boat came to a stop faster than a couple of horny teenagers who just got caught in the back seat by the cops!! Crew completed a triple toe loop around the forestay. I say she should have gotten the gold, but the Canadian judge marked her down for not sticking the landind. Here I am left dangling upside down from the tramp with one leg still under the hiking stap wondering if I have a clean pair of shorts in the truck. A few minutes later (after reviewing the Rick White righting method in my head) the boat was back upright and we made the decision to head back to the beach and have a beer.

Important lessons learned:

1. Listen to your crew. Sometimes they are right.
2. When done correctly a 6.0 is easy to right (combined weight 320 lbs). Thanks Rick!!!
3. Always bring a clean pair of shorts, you never know when you may need them. Thanks Mom!!
4. Rudders only work when they are in the water!

ahhahahha sounds like a fun sail! CRASH AND BURN BABY.

That is why I always think twice about putting my leg all the way under a hiking strap. I usually only 'strap in' up to my ankle. I'm terrified of blowing out a knee or getting caught.

Glad there were no injuries!

Done that many times on my 6.0na.. much more fun if you are on the wire though. Its all good fun.

If your crews name was Brandy, then yah you should have listened.

Hmmm, I haven't tried that particular flavor for at least a month now
Luckily last time the hiking strap tore and I slid in the drink
Sounds like a great day out on the water

Good times gone?

Damn that sounds like an awesome time to me!

may be a bit chilly if you're on the chesapeake bay though.

That was awesome. I always had good times on my 6.0na. Don't let it spook you though. I've stuff my bows all the way up to the mast and she's come back up. (Not always though). Luckily it sounds like no one got hurt, and your right, it's not to hard to right the 6.0 when you've got 2 people to do it.

Alec

Unless it's your 3rd capsize of the day and your drifting into rocks, in 25 knots with gusts to 35 with 8 foot waves with the mast pointed upwind and the sail being lifted up by the wind and waves to the point where you can't get the boat turned around to right it. Took us 20 minutes to right the boat with 330 pounds. Those waves made it near impossible.
First regatta on my 6.0 this past summer at the Hyannis Regatta (cape cod). Now I know I can right the boat in anything. Forecast was 5-10 with big waves as the remnants of Hurricane Franklin came through.

Leason 5

Fit a set of panic lines and get the crew to use them..... I have never cartwheeled a boat when the crew was using a panic line...... Just drive right through it. See attached for diagram.

Also in the realy fresh stuff, sit on the rear beam and lay along it and hang onto the toe strap..... Gets you weight further back, is more comfortable and also keeps your weight off the tramp and slapping waves.

Cheers