I'm scared of capsizing

[Guest]

I\'m scared of capsizing

As are most of you no doubt! Yesterday in the Solent even under heavily reefed sail my Invader 22 was showing one of its keels just on the surface. This to my mind was tooo risky. Other than taking in the headsail completly what could I do. Other smaller boats seemed to have reasonable sail up so why was I so tender?

 

[jimkirby]

Re: I\'m scared of capsizing

I dont have an answer but I was out there too and I found at one point I coudnt tack through the wind. I had wind over tide and despite coming off the wind to get up speed and then backing the jib on two occasions my Frances 26 just stalled back . I had wind over tide ,one reef and the jib part furled which was fine for going ahead but in int the end I motored her head round twice before dodging into Yarmouth!

Jim Kirby

 

[Guest]

Re: I\'m scared of capsizing

It sounds like you were pressing her to hard beating into wind if you had sailed her more freely she would remain more upright.

I presume that you only had one reef in If you had a furling reefing genoa then it should have been quite easy to balance
her performance.
Kind regards
Bluebeard

 

[Guest]

Re: I\'m scared of capsizing

Sounds like you coped just fine and found out a little more about your pride and joy.

What I would say is that it feels worse than it looks. I am sure other boats had the 'wind up' just like all the rest of us. I am not paticularly familiar with the Invader but ballasted boats can capsize, but this is more likely to be due to a very large wave breaking on top of you and flooding the boat. A rare occurance I would suggest for most of us weekend sailors.

It's the sudden squalls that catch us all out from time to time. I find it easier just to dump one of the sails - whichever one is easiest. I was trying out a deck sweeping genoa on Saturday on my own and a heavy squall came out of nowhere. I got in a real mess but lived to tell the tale !

 

[tim]

Re: I\'m scared of capsizing

My Salty Dog goes fastest when one of her keels is showing. Apart from a bit of slamming she's fine and has plenty more to go before she becomes likely to go over. I tend to play the mainsheet if I'm worried.

 

[graham]

Re: I\'m scared of capsizing

Shallow draft boats tend to go better to windward in a blow by easing the sheets a little and not pointing as high into the wind.

What you loose by not pointing so high you gain by going faster and more upright.Also reduces the slamming effect as you approach the waves at more of an angle.

Only by sailing your boat in different conditions will you learn to get the best out of her,Ive been sailing over 35 years and I am still learning.

 

[iainmillett]

Re: I\'m scared of capsizing

I agree with you.
I had a Shrimper for some years and she healed to blazes.

BEST thing is to be confident in reefing fore and mainsails. HAve only up what you're coomfortable with in the early days.

Bearing away from the wind can help cut the heel - but then everything speeds up. I find that sheeting in whilst on a broad reach can 'spoil' the boat a little and slow her.

We all smile and look in command - but in reality we are clutching at ropes and our nerves most of the time.

A good foreacast and a healthy respect for the sea is our best defence!