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44'cruisingcat · 19-12-2007, 04:15

Friends of mine were rolled in Bass strait. There isn't much you can do to right the boat if it doesn't do it by itself, (unless it has a canting keel) but the stability inverted is usually less than right-way up, so the theory is - if there was a wave big enough to roll you over, there will be another one big enough to roll you back up, sooner or later. (Provided you don't sink first.)

They think they were upside down for maybe 30 seconds - they really aren't sure. They were both below when it happened - it was a complete surprise to them because they weren't in severe weather - around 25 - 30 knots, with gusts to high 30's. They had a double reefed main and partially furled jib up.

When the boat rolled it was chaos below. Ian was quite badly hurt - he broke an arm and his nose, and suffered concussion. Jan was very fortunate - she suffered (some of it severe) bruising only.

When the boat righted, the rig was down, but still attached by the shrouds and stays. There was about 2 feet of water in the boat, but the bilge pumps were still working and eventually pumped it out. They managed to secure the mast to the boat, and were able to start the motor (they had gel cells). They spent a great deal of time ensuring there were no lines or cables trailing in the water before engaging gear, and were able to motor to port.

They both feel very lucky the boat didn't stay inverted for longer - they are sure she would have sunk in a few minutes. They are not at all sure if they would have been able to deploy or even reach the life-raft.

19-12-2007, 04:15	#4
44'cruisingcat Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,777	Friends of mine were rolled in Bass strait. There isn't much you can do to right the boat if it doesn't do it by itself, (unless it has a canting keel) but the stability inverted is usually less than right-way up, so the theory is - if there was a wave big enough to roll you over, there will be another one big enough to roll you back up, sooner or later. (Provided you don't sink first.) They think they were upside down for maybe 30 seconds - they really aren't sure. They were both below when it happened - it was a complete surprise to them because they weren't in severe weather - around 25 - 30 knots, with gusts to high 30's. They had a double reefed main and partially furled jib up. When the boat rolled it was chaos below. Ian was quite badly hurt - he broke an arm and his nose, and suffered concussion. Jan was very fortunate - she suffered (some of it severe) bruising only. When the boat righted, the rig was down, but still attached by the shrouds and stays. There was about 2 feet of water in the boat, but the bilge pumps were still working and eventually pumped it out. They managed to secure the mast to the boat, and were able to start the motor (they had gel cells). They spent a great deal of time ensuring there were no lines or cables trailing in the water before engaging gear, and were able to motor to port. They both feel very lucky the boat didn't stay inverted for longer - they are sure she would have sunk in a few minutes. They are not at all sure if they would have been able to deploy or even reach the life-raft. Last edited by 44'cruisingcat; 19-12-2007 at 04:39.