Bavaria capsizes in Zumaya ( Country Vasque. Spain )

[sailorman]

I wonder whether there is any merit in coming in backwards in such situations, and driving into any breaking waves? (We do something similar in sea the kayaking sometimes.)

This would mean the helm can better see and judge the waves coming at him, at the critical moment when steering and acceleration is needed the prop and rudder are in solid water rather than the froth coming down the front of the breaking wave, the motor (in forward) is reducing the (backward) speed and the tendency of the other end of the boat (stern in this case) to dig in, and the bow cuts through and offers less resistance than would the stern to the breaking water coming down the front of the wave (and maybe also having less buoyancy than the stern keeps the boat closer to the horizontal and less likely to dig in at the other end).

Any comments/thoughts?

p.s. Impressive both how fast the boat goes over and how fast it comes up again in that video.

It might just work with an Albin Vega

 

[Plomong]

Seems like there was a real risk of running aground:



Sound advice too about not trying in those conditions.

Been in and out of there in heavy swell often enough to recognise the following:

a) With swell above 4-5 m as looked to be the case, and at or near low water, you are better off going 3 miles east to Guetaria, accessible in all weather, or a bit further west to Ondarroa, also all-weather. If you MUST go in, in those conditions, wait for high water.

b) Don't go so near the breakwater, even with swell of 3 m. Better to stay a bit further east, maybe 80 metres or so, because even with lower swell the waves can break just off the breakwater head. Might not have helped these guys, but I feel it could have -- the seas break with less virulence a bit further east. Right in near the blocks is where they break with most violence, producing a forward white water flow that is travelling fast, and so dangerous.

c) Any swell above 5 m -- don't even try it, unless you are prepared to lose the boat.

Plomong

 

[30boat]

I wondered how much of the knockdown was due to having the 2 guys on the foredeck? If they had'nt been there would the boat maybe have picked up speed quicker rather than sort of tripping over its forefoot when it dug in , or was the wave just too big?

It was a huge wave and the boat a 38ft so the weight of two people probably didn't make much difference.On a smaller boat it would matter.I remember many years ago when racing a Contention 33,I walked forward of the mast to release the spinnaker sheet.The boat dug the bow under water right up to the mast and I ran as fast as I could back to the cockpit.

 

[Plomong]

http://vimeo.com/87355387

Minor niggles: "Basque Country" instead of "Country Vasque", and "Zumaia" instead of "Zumaya".

And as for the "Spain" bit, I understand you and the situation, but it would not be a good idea to mention that around some parts here, including Zumaia !!! Not that I'd do anything about it, mind you !!!

Plomong

 

[Plomong]

One point of interest is the photographer's ability to take such shots. One can't help thinking that these conditions must happen sufficiently often to justify someone setting up a tripod mounted camera just on the off-chance of getting interesting piccies.

Photographer was probably on the wall of the N634 road at about 043 18.446 N 002 14.36 W, about 600 m ENE of the incident. A great spot for photographing surfers in the bay between that headland and the harbour entrance !!!

Plomong

 

[[3889]]

Minor niggles: "Basque Country" instead of "Country Vasque", and "Zumaia" instead of "Zumaya".

And as for the "Spain" bit, I understand you and the situation, but it would not be a good idea to mention that around some parts here, including Zumaia !!! Not that I'd do anything about it, mind you !!!

Plomong

Is your location spelt incorrectly? Shouldn't that be Bilbao

 

[Seajet]

One thing which was mentioned early on but seems to have disappeared, how about having a handkerchief of foresail rolled out ? I certainly would have, mainly in case of engine failure but also for a bit more directional control keeping the bow downwind. I realise that would have made things difficult if trying a turn to get the bows through the wind, but an engine problem even from the early stages would have been rather awkward, and as someone else mentioned I'm amazed the engine kept running after the knockdown; a good installation !

 

[trapezeartist]

Is your location spelt incorrectly? Shouldn't that be Bilbao

+1 :triumphant:

 

[30boat]

The tank was probably full or nearly full so no air entered the system.

 

[Neil_Y]

One thing which was mentioned early on but seems to have disappeared, how about having a handkerchief of foresail rolled out ? I certainly would have, mainly in case of engine failure but also for a bit more directional control keeping the bow downwind. I realise that would have made things difficult if trying a turn to get the bows through the wind, but an engine problem even from the early stages would have been rather awkward, and as someone else mentioned I'm amazed the engine kept running after the knockdown; a good installation !

Should have had the kite up?

This guys engine did fail after this so they sailed back in after unfurling the jib...scary harbour exit (I'd have stayed in my berth) He was trying to leave and it was a bit rough.