14' trailer sailer from MG Boats - BEZ 2

[misterg]

14\' trailer sailer from MG Boats - BEZ 2

If you are the owner of one of these, or thinking of buying one, please see the MAIB report on the Mollyanna here. Unfortunately, the report indicates that if these boats are capsized, they cannot be righted. Two people (one a child) died last July off Puffin Island, N. Wales because of this. MAIB synopsis

Apologies for posting more doom and gloom - I've no connection with anyone involved, or the boat. Just thought there was a chance that there might be someone reading who has one of these, but was unaware of the design problems.

Andy

 

[graham]

Re: 14\' trailer sailer from MG Boats - BEZ 2

I read a report about the fatal capsize. It seems that after capsizing the washboards fell out allowing the cabin to fill with water making it unstable .

On any small capsizable boat of this type IMHO the wasboards should be strong ,watertight and locked in place.

I think that with a lot of respect for the boats limitations and with the cabin sealed off properly they would be quite a safe little craft for inshore waters.

The accident was a huge tragedy but could possibly have been prevented were the cabin sealed against water ingress during a capsize.

 

[Norman_E]

RCD Compliance?

I saw the report as well. Quite a bit was made of failure to comply with its RCD classification, but is still seems unclear to me whether the tragedy would have been averted if the boat had complied. Most of the posters here seem to think that the RCD is a bureaucratic nonsense designed to protect the EU boat building industry from non EU competition (which may well be the case).
IMHO If we are to have the RCD then we should also be able to have confidence in it. This raises the question of how many other designs of boats are being sold with an RCD classification that they do not actually comply with.

 

[m1taylor]

Re: 14\' trailer sailer from MG Boats - BEZ 2

The Bez looks like a really basic dinghy with a lid. For the price they cost new (nearly six grand) you could get a decent older boat with better credentials.

 

[graham]

Re: 14\' trailer sailer from MG Boats - BEZ 2

You could buy a really good Skipper 17 or something similar for less than half that.And it would have a cooker, anchor ,lights and all the other"Extras" that you need.

 

[misterg]

Re: 14\' trailer sailer from MG Boats - BEZ 2

[ QUOTE ]
I think that with a lot of respect for the boats limitations and with the cabin sealed off properly they would be quite a safe little craft for inshore waters.

The accident was a huge tragedy but could possibly have been prevented were the cabin sealed against water ingress during a capsize.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is the conclusion I had come to (on the basis of hearsay), until I read the report. The design / construction of *this* boat means that it is virtually impossible to right it after a capsize, and if you do manage it, the boat is too unstable to float the right way up and be bailed out. The owner's son managed to right the boat twice, only for it to roll over again; the lifeboat crew were unable to right it, and it had to be towed to shore upside down; in the tests for the MAIB after the accident, the boat had to be supported with others either side for it to be bailed out after a capsize, and holes had to be drilled to let all the water out of internal voids. (I believe washboards were in place, but possibly not locked).

I'm in two minds about the whole RCD thing - on one hand, this incident illustrates the dangers of boating by numbers - "Yes sir, it's a wallnut shell, but it is category 'A', so suitable for your atlantic crossing...." On the other hand, if it says 'C', then it better b *oody pass the tests. (This boat failed some of the tests applicable to category 'D' - rivers and small lakes).

Anyway, I'm not trying to sell any particular point of view, just draw this to the attention of owners who may not be aware of the potential problems with this design. I've no connection with the incident, but it did strike home, happening, as it did, on my "doorstep".

Andy

 

[aitchw]

Re: 14\' trailer sailer from MG Boats - BEZ 2

The whole incident raises so many issues apart from those mentioned. The design/build shortcomongs and lack of guidance (no adequate handbook) were dreadful and coupled with the inexperience of the crew made for a lethal combination. They should not have been placed in this position by the failures of the builders or vendors.

These kind of boats are prone to giving a false sense of security when they should be treated like an open dinghy in respect of centreboard and rudder lock down capability, integral buoyancy and sail handling.

Whilst inexperience in sailing certainly contributed (sailing with an unbalanced sail plan and not recognising the need to be able to lock the rudder and board down etc.) the total inability of the design to be righted to a reasonbly stable condition was, I think, the biggest failure of all. NOT their fault.

I sail small boats with my family and friends in coastal waters. My heart goes out to those left behind to pick up the pieces.

 

[misterg]

Re: 14\' trailer sailer from MG Boats - BEZ 2

Very well put - I wish I had your eloquence.

Andy