s/v Elusive Sinks on Way to Fiji

[Trim50]

Has anyone heard anymore detail on this???

From Blog of S/VArgonaut

On May 17th two friends from Seattle unexpectedly passed the keys of their boat to Neptune as they were forced to abandon ship in Mid Pacific when their J 44 unexpectedly sank while on passage from New Zealand to Fiji.

Two boats, both with mutual friends aboard, were close enough to effect a rapid rescue. Scarlett O'Hara was soon tied alongside Elusive in a frantic effort to stem the tide - to no avail. Finally, the source of the leak still unidentified and the pumps falling farther and farther behind, Elusive sank.

The seas weren't rough, several boats were close along the same route, it was daylight and everyone was monitoring the Pacific Seafarer's Net at the moment they called the Mayday. If your boat has to sink, this is the way you want it to play out. It was ugly but it could have been much, much worse. Everyone gets to go home this time.

They (three) are safe aboard Scarlett O'Hara and continuing the passage to Fiji. As we contemplate the same voyage, we wish them well and hope they continue their adventures. We'll all miss them out here in the Pacific, but just as surely know our paths will all cross again some day. Until then, luck be on you. Viaje bien amigos.
Mike & Liz

[Hud3]

There was an article in 'Lectronic Latitudes about it.

Latitude 38 - The West's Premier Sailing & Marine Magazine

[Trim50]

Sounds like a hydraulic ram punched it's way into or even through the hull. If they had a type 3 hydraulic it would easily be cabable.

Or it could have pulled-up the mounting platform causing a delamination in the hull.

Just my two guesses.

Scarlett Ohara has been on scene for two open ocean saves this year. Also, I was told that 4 years ago, they too lost their rudder and took on water.

[GordMay]

Please tell me that these unfortunate folks aren’t our "S/V Elusive"
➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...sive-2164.html

[Trim50]

I'm think'n they are judging from prior post content...but I could be wrong.

[TaoJones]

Isn't our s/v Elusive named Thomas? This couple is Steve and Wendy Bott.

TaoJones

[Mule]

Seems like I read somewhere the J's have some keel problems, with bolts amybe or something like that.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by TaoJones

Isn't our s/v Elusive named Thomas? This couple is Steve and Wendy Bott.
TaoJones

Right you are!
Our former Moderator, Thomas, is from California; and that elusory connection fooled me.

[Jeff H]

Mule said: "Seems like I read somewhere the J's have some keel problems, with bolts amybe or something like that."

The smaller older J-boats were known for problems with the keel stubs for which there were well known remedies. There is some internet footage of a J-35 that lost its keel while pounding on a beach in the surf over a prolonged period of time. I have not heard about any similar or other kinds of keel problems with the larger J-boats.

For what it is worth, Elusive was for sale on Yachtworld listed for sale in NZ. She is a very heavily modified version of a J-44 which had its stern extended and its interior rearranged.

Jeff

[GMac]

Heard nothing about any boat sinking down here and we usually do pretty fast.

[Amgine]

This one is pretty well documented, as it happened during sched. Their buddy boat was near enough to get to them within half an hour of their mayday, and they abandoned about a half hour after that. We'll hear more when they get to port.

[Hiracer]

""They suspected the leak was in the middle of the boat, as aft was much drier." After a half hour of fruitless searching, the rapidly rising water forced the two men to abandon the vessel, which has been characterized by a fellow cruiser as 'impeccably maintained'."

From the Lat 38 article.

Sounds like a keel issue, but then why could they not find the source of the leak?

Could it have been the depth sounder popping out with water running from bow to center and pooling there?

If they hit something does that boat have pan and liner construction, thereby obstructing the finding of the leak?

[slap]

Originally Posted by Jeff H

Mule said: "Seems like I read somewhere the J's have some keel problems, with bolts amybe or something like that."

The smaller older J-boats were known for problems with the keel stubs for which there were well known remedies. There is some internet footage of a J-35 that lost its keel while pounding on a beach in the surf over a prolonged period of time. I have not heard about any similar or other kinds of keel problems with the larger J-boats.

Here's a thread about the J 120:
J109 J120 stress cracking in keel hull connection - Sailing Anarchy Forums

[maxingout]

It seems that the keel to hull connection is bain of the monohull lifestyle. This looks like a good argument for ballast encapsulated in fiberglass and molded in place rather than having a keel being attached to the hull by bolts.

[bob perry]

Oh my, I would hesitate to jump to any conclusions just yet. But Max is correct, a molded in keel envelope is a monocoque part of the hull and cannot break loose.

I hope I did not just put the whammy on it.

I feel for the crew of ELUSIVE. Tough to see your home dissapear beneath the waves. I hope I never have to see that.