Unsinkable?

pugwash

pugwash

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A friend in Canada wants to buy a cruising boat for the Med (not just local pottering but longish open-sea crossings). His eye has been caught by a certain small vessel that I'd better not name but which has both a sail and a very powerful outboard so it's a high-speed motor sailer, sleeping about four. I warned him that serious sailors in UK are pretty scornful of its sea-keeping qualities and he wrote back as follows: "The advantage is that it won't sink, even full of water. It has flotation chambers and no heavy keel to sink her if swamped. Also the mast is filled with foam so if knocked down will right herself..."

As the owner of a traditional heavy-displacement cruiser, I think everything about this stinks but I can't find the words. How should I reply?

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<A target="_blank" HREF=http://timesargus.nybor.com/Local/Story/76890.html>But still dangerous</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>.. whit way roon should it be again ..
 
There is an impression amongst many that the Mediterranean is meteorologically benign. Whilst that is true for much of the time it is also subject to sudden violent storms (often poorly forecast), accompanied by some very square-sided waves. These are not the conditions to be caught out in, in a gimcrack 26 footer with a name from north of ra border.

As your buddy is Canadian, you might like to contact him asking for advice. You are thinking of going for a wilderness walking holiday in Canada in mid-winter, and you've seen this jolly nice pair of trainer-style boots made by Nike, and really smart jacket from Gant. Would these be suitable for your expedition?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>
 
By accident .. I had a recollection of an incident in the Bristol Channel and was searching for that when I stumbled across this one.

<hr width=100% size=1>.. whit way roon should it be again ..
 
I heard of one that crossed the Solent 2 years ago. I believe the skipper has now recovered from the epic voyage and is writing an article for Yachting World.

<hr width=100% size=1>What's this?
 
Saw one travelling under sail sideways through moorings in Poole harbour last summer. Appeared to be ferry gliding across the harbour. Skipper seemed to have it under control but was only making leeway.
Not for me.

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I read on an American forum how some guy had beefed up his transom to take a 140hp motor....instead of the usual 50hp.

John

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