Sailboat Sank In St. Augustine Inlet

[way-happy]

Heard rumor about a sailboat that sank while coming in the St. Augustine FL inlet a few days ago . The rumor (pure heresy) was that it tried to run the inlet in the strong northerly that we were having, and they didn't favor the RED, ran over the sandbar, broke their keel, heeled over, shipped water and sank on the spot. The crew got off and no one was injured or killed.

Anyone have any better information about this? I'd say it was probably around Sunday or Monday.

Capt'n K

[Vasco]

Rumour around here (Fernandina Beach ) was that it was a Beneteau. I think most folks know to stick to the reds going into St. Augustine but it was honking when they went in.

[maxingout]

What was the rush getting into St. Augustine inlet? Was there some compelling reason that they had to run the inlet in poor conditions?

[perchance]

Originally Posted by maxingout

What was the rush getting into St. Augustine inlet? Was there some compelling reason that they had to run the inlet in poor conditions?

Apparently the beer was getting warm.

[sailcruiser]

Originally Posted by way-happy

Heard rumor about a sailboat that sank while coming in the St. Augustine FL inlet a few days ago . The rumor (pure heresy) was that it tried to run the inlet in the strong northerly that we were having, and they didn't favor the RED, ran over the sandbar, broke their keel, heeled over, shipped water and sank on the spot. The crew got off and no one was injured or killed.

Anyone have any better information about this? I'd say it was probably around Sunday or Monday.

Capt'n K

Could this be it? Not a ton of details but may be the story. SC

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45625762...king-sailboat/

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by sailcruiser

Could this be it? Not a ton of details but may be the story. SC

Boaters saved from sinking sailboat - Local News - Jacksonville, FL - msnbc.com

They were probably trying to get to safe harbor.

[maxingout]

Interesting article. The keel broke off on a sandbar and water instantly engulfed the boat. Is it common for keels to break off in a few minutes on a sandbar in modern yachts? The waves in the picture are not that impressive. Shouldn't a seaworthy yacht be able to pound for hours/days on a sandbar without a keel breaking off?

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by maxingout

Interesting article. The keel broke off on a sandbar and water instantly engulfed the boat. Is it common for keels to break off in a few minutes on a sandbar in modern yachts? The waves in the picture are not that impressive. Shouldn't a seaworthy yacht be able to pound for hours/days on a sandbar without a keel breaking off?

I know someone it happened to. He anchored and swam to the beach, and then didn't notice a 180 degree wind shift.

[Ram]

Originally Posted by maxingout

Interesting article. The keel broke off on a sandbar and water instantly engulfed the boat. Is it common for keels to break off in a few minutes on a sandbar in modern yachts? The waves in the picture are not that impressive. Shouldn't a seaworthy yacht be able to pound for hours/days on a sandbar without a keel breaking off?

Not sure about pounding for hours or days, it depends on so many factors I expect- perhaps they hit the bar while sailing fast and snapped it off,the seas dont look that bad-

[Factor]

Originally Posted by Ram

Not sure about pounding for hours or days, it depends on so many factors I expect- perhaps they hit the bar while sailing fast and snapped it off,the seas dont look that bad-

sailing fast? hitting a sandbar at hull speed on a well found boat should not break its keel.

[ljsailing]

I agree. I did not think a Ben had that much hull speed! Doesn't say much for Ben construction.

[speciald@ocens.]

Last year a Bendy-boat ran aground on the reef outside Oyster Pond in Sint Maarten (a fifty footer, 3 months old). During the rescue attempt, the tow boat pulled the keel off the boat. It sank

[ljsailing]

Hmmmmm.... Looks like manufacturing integrity is at question...

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by way-happy

Heard rumor about a sailboat that sank while coming in the St. Augustine FL inlet a few days ago . The rumor (pure heresy) was that it tried to run the inlet in the strong northerly that we were having, and they didn't favor the RED, ran over the sandbar, broke their keel, heeled over, shipped water and sank on the spot. The crew got off and no one was injured or killed.

Anyone have any better information about this? I'd say it was probably around Sunday or Monday.

Capt'n K

I came through St. Augustine inlet a couple of weeks ago at low tide. The was one point where the channel did a dogleg to starboard and was fairly narrow. The day we went through the water was not too rough and the bar was easy to see thanks to the birds that were standing on it. At a higher tide and rougher conditions it might not have been so apparent. If they were out of position about 75 feet they would have hit the bar. On the track I took close to the red I never saw less than 14ft. If one did not see the next mark far to starboard and went for the second mark it would take them right over the bar. The marks are fairly low bouys and in rough condition they might easily be missed.

[s/v Moondancer]

If Beneteau built a boat that could survive in the surf on a sandbar in 30 knots nobody would buy it because it would not be fast, sexy or cheap!

The problem was trying to enter St Augustine in anything resembling bad weather. It is one of the most dangerous entries in Florida with shifting shoals and poor markers that have to be moved frequently.

Anyone with any sense of seamanship would have contined south to Jacksonville to get out of the weather.