My boat may be ruined. Insurance adjuster is looking at it today. I will post pics as soon as I get them electronically.
Went sailing with my brother and his friend on Sunday. No wind. We motored to the local Tiki Bar listened to the band and went home. We went sailing again on Labor Day. There wasn't much wind so we motored out to a very large party in Lake Murray (SC). As soon as we got there the wind picked up. We put up our sails and started heading back towards our berth because the wind was on the edge of a storm. The wind was not strong enough to give concern. (Brand new wind instrument in box not installed on boat) The boat was behaving strangely and was sort of sluggish. We were healing to starboard but not going very fast and the helm was somewhat non-responsive.
All of a sudden the wind switched 180 degrees and knocked the boat down on the port side. The boat came up immediately and then was knocked down on the starboard side. This time-- she did not get up all the way. We were taking in water from starboard aft. We rolled in the head sail and my sailing partner was headed up to get the main when I saw water up to the table below. We grabbed pfds and just crawled to the high side. She rolled over. Mast pointing down at about 4:00.
The companion way hatch came off and was floating away. A motor boat picked us up. It took SeaTow 17 hours 2 boats and 2 divers to get the boat in. It is a real mess.
Glad everyone was OK. Could you post more details about the situation (water ballast in, weight of passengers, extra estimated weight of gas, accessories, etc.) Despite the earlier post, I'm not judging you, I just want to understand what contributed to it so we can all learn from it.
I thought it was next to impossible to take on water in the cockpit. How did that happen? Are the openings on the X not as well protected as on the M? I am glad no one got hurt.
fran trapp wrote:I keep my Mac in a slip -- year round-- have sailed almost every weekend this year-- and last.
I keep my ballast full because my brother and daughter use the boat and I am afraid they will forget to fill it. I take on the chore of empting out periodically...
We are all waiting to hear the status of the Ballast tank. Empty, Full or partially filled?? In all the past capsizing of the 26x`s, I recall empty ballast tanks. I have owned 2 26X since 1997 and sailed often with empty baallast tank. If the winds started to pick up, I would double check all the sheets and be ready to react quickly. Of course thats ez to say now and I hope that I never have to explain capsizing.
The cut-outs for the steering and shift cables are inside the starboard side of the transom on an X. Without rubber bellows covering them, they could take on water. But I find it hard to believe it would be that much... depends on the sizes of the holes, I guess.
Insurance adjuster is looking at it today. I will post pics as soon as I get them electronically. 
