Another Keel Lost; Another Capsize

[Drew13440]

"It was about 8:45 p.m. when they sailed into a new port, navigating a channel they had never sailed before, in the dark, fog rolling in."

The only good news is that no one was hurt...

Sunken dreams: Everything they own is at the bottom of John’s Pass | tbo.com

[robert sailor]

Keels are not meant to hit rocks, sometimes severe damage occurs. Tough luck for this young couple.

[belizesailor]

Those monohulls are unsafe I tell you! 😆

Seriously, at least all got off unharmed and at least materially they didnt lose much....but thats still gotta suck. And they learned why to avoid going into unfamiliar harbors at night.

[Polux]

A Columbia 28 from 1969. They restored the old boat. I wonder if they put the keel down and substitute all the bolts. Ona boat with that age all metal parts need to be replaced.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

Keels are not meant to hit rocks, sometimes severe damage occurs. Tough luck for this young couple.

Some designs are a whole lot more tolerant than others however

[sveinung]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Those monohulls are unsafe I tell you! 😆

Seriously, at least all got off unharmed and at least materially they didnt lose much....but thats still gotta suck. And they learned why to avoid going into unfamiliar harbors at night.

According to this, they lost "everything" and now have $90 to their name. I must say it's ambitious to go cruising with $90 in your kitty.


http://www.tampabay.com/sold-everything-to-sail-the-world-boat-sank-next-day

Hope they can get some help refloating or getting her out of the water at least before a boat looses it's keel or underwater housing running into their boat.

[pmagistro]

Scary. We motored in to John's Pass three hours before and happened to follow someone with local knowledge in, outside the markers. Feeling very grateful for that kindness.

[toddster8]

Originally Posted by sveinung

According to this, they lost "everything" and now have $90 to their name. I must say it's ambitious to go cruising with $90 in your kitty.

I seem to recall reading that Robin Graham set off on his circumnavigation with $70. (About $550 in today's dollars.)

[frozenhawaiian]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Some designs are a whole lot more tolerant than others however

that may be but hitting bottom slowing coming into a harbor and the keel comes off to me says that those keel bolts were toast. frankly the keel bolts failing at a harbor mouth may have saved their lives in the long run. keel falling off in a cold front in the gulfstream would be a way bigger issue.

[hellosailor]

In the few times I've been there I've never seen fog, and the "pass" nowadays means "go under the bridge". The only rocks around would be the groin extending out from one(?) side of that entrance. I wouldn't try to thread that needle in a heavy fog, I'd drop a hook someplace, there's plenty of unsheltered but shoal water to either side of it, with a good sandy bottom.
Now, passing under the Throg's Neck Bridge in heavy fog, with nothing in sight and the sound of heavy auto traffic rumbling out of the sky...at least I had a bigger needle to thread!

It sounds like they had seen one too many YoRube! videos showing how easy it was to rehab a boat and sail away, learning it all as you go. Holly Golightly.

[Jim Cate]

Had a look at the drawings... the keel design is not a terribly vulnerable one, with a deep stub keel in the hull. Should have been pretty sturdy, so I'd agree that the keel bolts were likely badly compromised. I'd be astonished if fiscally challenged newbies would have gone to the trouble and cost of renewing them, or if they even knew that they should.

Sad for them, but as someone else noted, may have saved their lives.

Jim

[frozenhawaiian]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Had a look at the drawings... the keel design is not a terribly vulnerable one, with a deep stub keel in the hull. Should have been pretty sturdy, so I'd agree that the keel bolts were likely badly compromised. I'd be astonished if fiscally challenged newbies would have gone to the trouble and cost of renewing them, or if they even knew that they should.

Sad for them, but as someone else noted, may have saved their lives.

Jim

I'd be surprised if they even knew to replace them. stories like this really make me grateful that my keelbolts are bronze

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Had a look at the drawings... the keel design is not a terribly vulnerable one, with a deep stub keel in the hull. Should have been pretty sturdy, so I'd agree that the keel bolts were likely badly compromised. I'd be astonished if fiscally challenged newbies would have gone to the trouble and cost of renewing them, or if they even knew that they should.

Sad for them, but as someone else noted, may have saved their lives.

Jim

they seem like nice people perhaps someone can donate them another boat.

[boatpoker]

No sympathy for a couple of irresponsible idiots. The tax payers now have to pay to clean up their mess. It's people like this that give cruisers a bad name in Florida.

[sailingunity]

Originally Posted by frozenhawaiian

that may be but hitting bottom slowing coming into a harbor and the keel comes off to me says that those keel bolts were toast....

The comment in the story says Walsh nearly flew off the deck, I would say they were coming in a bit more quickly than that!