Un Scheduled Capsize

[kmrmike]

It

[Joe Anderson]

Wow nice looking trailer and boat. Congratulations on your self rescue. If you are able to right the boat, bail it and get underway in the conditions in which you capsized you are doing very well. Its sounds like you were dunked by an accidental jibe. When heading downwind I often will set a course twenty degrees or so either side of the wind direction jibing back and forth in a zig zag fashion.

Joe 

[Ken_Potts]

  Thanks for the story and pictures.  I think it's a good thing to accidently capsize once just to gain confidence that it can be dealt with (I'm still working steadily toward my first accidental capsize).  You're extra lucky in that you were alone so you know you can right the boat without help  ;D

  It sounds like the trailer has opened up lots of sailing opportunities for you.  I'm all for easy access.

  That's a good looking boat and trailer too.  I like the way you faired the rubrail in at the bow.

[Steve Day]

Good show on getting the boat and trailer to where you can launch and retrieve singlehanded. It also appears you were able to right yourself from the unscheduled capsize with little difficulty. Congratulations on all accounts.

I was interested to see you writing about the area around Jensen Beach. We lived there a number of years ago (1973-1978) and we have fond memories of canoeing in the area, particularly Herman's Bay and up around the St Lucie Plant. I built an 18' Hartley Trailer sailor in 1976 and we sailed her from the Stuart Beach causeway and down toward the inlet. Those flats were a great place to sail and clam back then. I hope they are still like that.

Have fun down there!

Steve

[JeffM]

Mike, I noticed you didn't mention how you got back aboard after your capsize--often the hardest part, and an issue near and dear to me.  That is a pretty little trailer!  I gather you are comfortable with metal-working.  I am at the point of being fed up with my roof-top scheme for my little 11' 112lb pram, and have about convinced myself to get a Harbor Freight trailer, though I don't like the thought of finding storage space for it (even though it is supposed to fold up).  Car-topping alone is just too hard and slow and is taking a toll on the car roof and boat.

[kmrmike]

Thanks for all your positive responses!! I intend to go sailing as much as time permits and learn more and more each time. NOW, about that

"Honey Do List"...where did I put that?...Guess I'll just have to go sailing!!

        Jeff, I got back on to the boat at the stern as did someone else who capsized and wrote on this forum. And I'm in my early 60's. I think this was the most difficult for me but doable. I too  was going to buy a boat trailer from Harbor Freight but then I would have to make it custom to my needs anyway so decided to go custom all the way...Plus mine is aluminum and I think it will fair better in the salt water....Mike

[Tom Lathrop]

Beautiful work on the trailer Mike.  If you can make a trailer good looking, you are going great.  All sailboats need a wind direction indicator, usually at the top of the mast.  You had what is called a windward capsize.  The only way to avoid that kind is not to let the boat get by the lee.  The usual leeward capsize is a slow agonizing affair but a windward capsize in a stiff wind is instantaneous.  Some of us who have raced a lot have actually been catapulted out of the boat by them.  Always keep the mainsheet in one hand so the boat can not get away.

One thing I have done on several trailers is to lay a sheet of treated plywood over the bed of the trailer and covered it with outdoor carpet.  Fitted bottom supports go on top of that.  Makes a great launching platform and keeps road grime off the boat.  Also has no sharp edges that the boat can hit, especially when loading.

[kmrmike]

Tom, Thanks for youy insite on my mishap

      On the trailer I have 4  2x6 pieces covered with outdoor carpeting which can pivot slightly for hull support...Just can't see it from the pictures...Mike