Sailboat Capsize in San Diego (Merged Topics)

[Matt19020]

I have not read every post here but here is one question I have ... Did they go out to sail? I see no boom in either picture. It is obviously overloaded ...Did they go out and unfurl a 150 Genoa with the seating configuration as seen here? And with that many people is it possible he was not able to free the line in a gust with someone sitting on it or maybe he just could not reach it in time...
http://i53.tinypic.com/bg7bf7.jpg
http://www.heartofsailing.org/Pictures/ ... g_0069.jpg

[Don T]

Neither of those pictures look like the ballast is filled.

[dennisneal]

Matt,

I've seen several photos of this boat and it seems that was rigged without a boom or a mainsail. I assume this was because a person with autism who was sitting in the cockpit may not react well to a swinging boom. I have to wonder if this contributed to the boat turning totally upside down as I would think that a mainsail would keep an unballasted boat from heeling more than 90 degrees.

Its pretty clear to me that the boat did not have a full ballast tank, but I guess I'll have to wait to see if I'm correct.

[Matt19020]

Dennis I too would like to see the final report...still a bad situation and hopefully someone can learn what not to do from this horrble tragedy

[Fxwg80hd]

I have not read every post here but here is one question I have ... Did they go out to sail? I see no boom in either picture. It is obviously overloaded ...Did they go out and unfurl a 150 Genoa with the seating configuration as seen here? And with that many people is it possible he was not able to free the line in a gust with someone sitting on it or maybe he just could not reach it in time...
http://i53.tinypic.com/bg7bf7.jpg
http://www.heartofsailing.org/Pictures/ ... g_0069.jpg

Pretty sure these pictures were taken on different days. The crew is not the same in each picture, which backs up what he stated in his report that it is not the first time he went out with this many people. Guess he was lucky all previous times, but his luck ran out (or rather the luck ran out for 2 members of his crew, as he survived).

[Matt19020]

If any one is interested here is some follow-up to the tragic accident ...The general conclusion is it was overloaded with to many people on the bow when a gust hit the jib or genny: (not all info is 100% accurate the video suggest boat is a 26M)

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... 172bb00ac8
Click on video.....http://www.10news.com/news/27351403/detail.html
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=13235720

[seahouse]

Regarding the links- hmmm. Sailing "experts"?

That conjures up in my mind an old two-part definition of an "expert".

"X" being the unknown quantity, and "spert" being a drip under pressure.

- B.

Journalists should just keep out of the fiction business, IMHO.

[technicalman]

The Skipper was ignorant and didn't know what he was doing. Ballast! Ballast! Ballast! Too many People!

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Its amazing to see Anti-MacGregor folk attempt to bash our (Mac owners) boat preference.

Summary: Boating has it's risks, and more-so when precautions are overlooked. And, the risk graph goes off the charts when too much alcohol (booze) is in the mix.

[Seapup]

There was what looks to be an overloaded v22 capsized on the James river (Chesapeake) last night. 10 people on board, all grad students. One dead and one still missing so far. Another sad situation.





http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nati ... 5243.story

[dennisneal]

Seapup,

What a horrible tragedy!! A total lack of common sense.

I don't think this boat is a Venture 22. The following link is for a photo of a Venture 22. The side window angles are different.

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/cgi-bin ... =9093&mh=1

I've read that its a Catalina 22.

[Berber Boy]

f any one is interested here is some follow-up to the tragic accident ...The general conclusion is it was overloaded with to many people on the bow when a gust hit the jib or genny: (not all info is 100% accurate the video suggest boat is a 26M)

This is totally outrageous reporting and should be challenged by Roger if it does turn out to be another craft. My 2008 came with a sticker that said maximum 6 persons on board. Here in Oz the length determines the number and it is officially 8 on my registration here. i have had 6 adults and 2 children on board (4 in Cockpit and 4 downstairs) but only in optimum conditions and with no sail, full ballast and cruising up to 5knots

Sad for the loss of life and the Charity but judicious duty of care is absolutely mandatory for all Charities and especially those who work for Persons living with a disability. Here in Oz we have a Charity called Sailability and they do a fantastic work but they really have very good risk management protocols

BB

[Catigale]

Moved safety discussion from Dest and Venues

[jschrade]

It really doesn't matter which manufacturer the boat is from, the results will be the same: overload the boat, put the weight up on top and it will capsize. Seriously - 10 people on that tiny boat? Clearly it's not possible for them to all go in the cockpit so now you have probably 4-5 in the cockpit and the rest up on top of the bow and cabin top.

To be clear, I regularly take out 6 on my 26M and it's comfortable and safe. Once the sails are up and you are sailing, it's particularly stable and safe as long as you know how to sail. While motoring, especially at low speeds, movement of the crew can steer the boat so make sure they understand this as you are going through no wake zones on Saturday at lunch time with powerboat alcohol zombies all around you!

Summer Sunset sails and night sails are wonderful. Where I live, we are usually all alone other than a few commercial boats and sailboats that circle outside Clearwater Pass.

Jim

[kmclemore]

You know, you just can't fix stupid.