Capsizing a sailboat can be a disaster, or it can be part of the fun. The biggest difference is in the skill & confidence of the sailors. "The Capsize Drill" (our lesson) (link)
Thanks to the Twin Rivers YMCA in New Bern, we have the opportunity to practice capsizing in warm water, calm controlled conditions, and make sure our sailors can do it correctly. Here is one of our advanced sailors, demonstrating how to grasp the centerboard and ensure the boat will not "turtle" (roll all the way bottom-up). He can right the boat easily by pulling down on the tip of the centerboard, but he waits to make sure everything is ready.
(photo by Mac Paul, thanks!)
The first step is getting the boat into the pool. Unfortunately, the gates and doors are not wide enough to carry the FJ in. Fortunately, if we tip the boat on it's side, it will fit thru!
As always, Coach Rezab is leading the way and making sure the process goes smoothly.
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Well, we got the boat in, rigged it (a lesson on Boat Parts & Terminology!), and now we're ready. Skipper & crew are in position, the skipper is simulating steering the boat properly (holding the hiking stick).
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Over we go!At some point, we should practice HIKING in these boats too, but for now we are just flipping it. The job of puling the mast over is one of the perks for our Cadet Sailing Squad Commander.
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OK, so the boat is really capsized. What do we do?
At this point, both crew & skipper are in the water next to the boat.
The first step is ALWAYS to check each other's safety.
Coach Rezab is waiting to hear both sailors yell out, "Yes, I'm OK!"
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Now we move on to Step 2... getting control of the situation!The skipper swims around the transom (hint- this skipper is a good swimmer, but it's OK to pull yourself around holding onto the transom) and gets a grip on the senterboard.
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There are good ways to do it, and not so good ways. This is one of the not-so-good ways to hold the centerboard.
With both hands on the same side, it's harder to keep a good grip, and holding the centerboard by the middle does not exert as much leverage on the boat.
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That's better!Now the skipper holds the tip of the centerboard, and keeps hold of the righting line. Even a slim or petite sailor can pull an FJ right-side up if done correctly!
The crew also has a job to do- ensure the sheets are free, throws the bow line over to use as a righting line if needed (there are not-so-good ways of doing this too), and prepares to "scoop" into the boat as it comes upright.
(photo by Mac Paul, thanks!)
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The last step is when the crew helps the skipper back aboard the boat.
Oh wait, one more step:
They pose for a glamor shot!
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Splash !!
We have 14 sailors in the class, and everybody gets a turn to practice.
In fact, we try to give everybody a chance to perform the Capsize Drill as both crew and as skipper.
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This skipper makes the mistake of trying to stay dry. Sorry, not going to happen! This is why we don't take cell phones sailing.
Actually, trying to climb up the boat is a serious mistake. It will pull the boat over "turtle" very quickly and you'll end up in the water anyway. Also, out in the river, it could break the mast against the bottom.
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Around the transom, now he's got a grip on the centerboard. You can see the crew throwing the bow line up & over; it is important to get it -aft- of the shrouds (standing rigging).
At this point, the situation is under control. Both sailors are OK, it is important that both keep their hold on the boat (drifting away = big problem). In a real capsize, there may be reasons to wait before pulling the boat right-side up.
The boat comes upright, the crew is "scooped" so as to be in position to keep control of the situation. The boat is more stable with the weight of the crew inside, and she can help the skipper climb aboard.
HINT- it is easier to get aboard if the crew lets the boat heel over toward the skipper. Use your skills and the boat's stability to help!
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Here is our Cadet Sailing Commander demonstrating another way to pull the boat upright. You can see how his body weight is further out from the boat, exerting more leverage than he could on the centerboard.This is another reason why we sail with shoes on, bare feet are slippery on waxed fiberglass.
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posted by Assistant Coach Douglas King
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