OUTREMER CAPSIZE

[eskfreedom]

Any one have any info on the Outremer 45 that capsized off Cape Creux killing four out of six ??

[Talbot]

capsize or pitchpole?

[Tropic Cat]

That's Cape Creus in Spain, right? I did a news search and didn't find anything.

Rick in Florida

[eskfreedom]

This is what the artical says in Multihulls World.
The drama took place off Cape Creox: an Outremer 45, turned over in very difficult sea conditions. Of the six people on board, only two escaped. Whilst waiting for info about what really happened,here are the few facts that we have: the accident happened whene the worst of the storm seemed to have passed. The skipper is well-known for his competence and for his perfect knowledge of catamarans and the area. However conditions can be verry difficult here and the catamaran turnd over for reasons the inquiry will uncover...Meanwhile,never forget,during this summer season,that the sea always has the last word...

THE EDITOR
Any one know of any other capsizes' or pichpoles in a cruising cat??

[Talbot]

highest probability is a pitchpole in breaking seas.

where did I put that series drogue article?

[eskfreedom]

I would like to hear about how to manage a cat in heavy weather. I envision some hard points off the sterns a bridal and a series drogue to be the best in an emergency. Everything I've read on parachute anchors scares me. Any feedback or stories would be great.

[Intentional Drifter]

Although not a personal story, and I honestly hope never to have one, there are some on the series drogue website: http://www.jordanseriesdrogue.com/D_2.htm

They also have some links to a Coast Guard report and some interesting videos. The videos are not of great quality, but they still get the point across.

I know I'm going to have one, and do some practice deployments, too.

ID

[jean1146]

I can tell you that I have some bad memories about cape Creus.it is located just north of Cadaques on the spanish Costa brava. Very strong currents,especially when the Tramontane is blowing 40 to 50 knots.I heard about it when I was over there but there are no details yet about how it happened.JC.

[Sunspot Baby]

ESKFreedom asked about other capsized cats. As we were coming north between Florida and Charleston this May, the USCG was looking for a 27’ charter cat over due. The boat was found inverted with survivors in the water, but the last I heard they were still one short.

There were some nasty squalls coming off the East Coast at that time. We were caught in one serious blow but were never in danger of capsizing. Still, a less sturdy charter boat with an unfamiliar crew could easily get into trouble. There is probably a report available on this event.

Sunspot Baby

[Talbot]

I always cringe when I read about a catamaran and capsize. The likelihood of a cruising cat and a capsize is low, however a pitchpole is much more likely, especially if you dont know enough to slow the boat down in bad conditions.

[jean1146]

I owned several Hobby Cats over the years and went over the mast several times,so yes it can happen,but I have to say that everytime it happened I was looking for trouble....I think it is all about common sense,let's not look at the extreme,if you look at what most of us do I think it is extremely unlikely,especialy on a cruising cat.JC.

[Sunspot Baby]

There is a BIG difference between capsizing a Hobie and a modern cruising catamaran.

George Stateham

[Talbot]

and it is posts talking about a catamaran capsize that reinforce the non-cat-owners irrational prejudice.

[Sunspot Baby]

It may cause a few monohull diehards to say "I told you so" but should be stick our head in the sand and ignore a serious incident just because it happened to a catamaran?

Would you be unwilling to discuss a monohull lost in a storm? No, it happens.

Nothing wrong with learning what we can from mishaps.

George

[Talbot]

Who said anything about sticking his head in the sand?

For some irrational reason, monosailors seem to accept a pitchpole as a danger to both monos and multis, whereas they see a capsize as a multi danger. Cruising accident facts support the probability that this was a pitchpole, as incidents of a cruising catamaran capsizing are rarer than hen's teath. All I am asking is that we use the statistical far more likely terminology of a pitchpole, until proven otherwise.