Cat Capsizes off Kangaroo Island

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by smj

In the 79 Fastnet there were 2 Prout catamarans that sailed through the fleet. When asked later about the conditions they said it was a little beastly out there.

And then there is the fact that some were in the middle of it and some on the fringes.

If I remember, the faster boats had little real problems.

Lots of variables.

[simonmd]

smj, Love that quote!

Originally Posted by sneuman

Not necessarily, as this is a commonly reported phenomenon with monohulls too - crews abandon ship only to find the boat survives the storm just fine. Read the redux on the '79 Fastnet Race - those were all monos.

It's certainly true to say that in a lot of cases where a boat is abandoned, it need not have been. I've always been taught to stay on the boat as long as possible, you should only 'step UP into a liferaft, not down into it'!

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by smj

In the 79 Fastnet there were 2 Prout catamarans that sailed through the fleet. When asked later about the conditions they said it was a little beastly out there.

Really? I admit I haven't read the full Admiralty report, but I did read Rousmanierre's take on it (Fastnet, Force 10) and I don't recall him mentioning any multihulls.

I could be wrong about that, though.

In any case, the majority of monos made it through OK too, I believe.

[smj]

Originally Posted by sneuman

Really? I admit I haven't read the full Admiralty report, but I did read Rousmanierre's take on it (Fastnet, Force 10) and I don't recall him mentioning any multihulls.

I could be wrong about that, though.

In any case, the majority of monos made it through OK too, I believe.

They weren't part of the race just happened to sail through. It wouldn't be fair to compare though as the Prouts are very heavy slow cruising boats and I would imagine the monos were more geared toward racing.

[perchance]

Originally Posted by sneuman

Really? I admit I haven't read the full Admiralty report, but I did read Rousmanierre's take on it (Fastnet, Force 10) and I don't recall him mentioning any multihulls.

I could be wrong about that, though.

In any case, the majority of monos made it through OK too, I believe.

According to Rousmaniere of a total of 303 entered 5 sunk and 19 were abandoned but were later recovered.It may be interesting to note that of those that sank the loa was between 28 to 38 feet. The loss rate could have been higher but 194 boats retired from the race which means they either hove too and quit racing or got the hell out of Dodge.

[catty]

Has the spirited 380 been salvaged yet?
Was a beacon left on it?
Or has it fetched up ashore yet?
Anyone know?

[rodcat]

Hi there l was the skipper on the Spirit 380 designed by Craig Schoning. It all happened at around 3 in the morning with 25 Knots of breeze with about a 3 metre swell with only the main out fully reefed. The container was in the wave and hit us on the aft starboard hull and the boat was upside down in the blink of an eye. Took about 12 hours to be rescued as we were 200nautical miles from the coast we were taken the boat from Perth to Melbourne.

[hummingway]

Welcome Rodcat. Always nice to get the story first hand.

[downunder]

Rodcat,

Thanks for that. I feel your pain.

Had been following the previous owners blog on their voyage around AUS.

I don't envy your time in the water.

Hope you are able to replace the vessel.

All the best.

[rodcat]

Just about still fighting with the insurance

[catty]

Originally Posted by rodcat

Hi there l was the skipper on the Spirit 380 designed by Craig Schoning. It all happened at around 3 in the morning with 25 Knots of breeze with about a 3 metre swell with only the main out fully reefed. The container was in the wave and hit us on the aft starboard hull and the boat was upside down in the blink of an eye. Took about 12 hours to be rescued as we were 200nautical miles from the coast we were taken the boat from Perth to Melbourne.

Welcome rodcat. Sad to here of your loss. I hope the insurance problems are resolved quickly. Thank you for posting some more detail. Do you mind me asking if the boat rolled over sideways after contact or stern over bow. Was much of the container visible before contact. I know it occurred at night and haven't checked out the phase of the moon for light. Or did you see the container after the capsize? Answer only if you feel up to it.

Regards.

[rodcat]

Rolled sideways in the blink of an eye no did not see the container but saw the green mark down the side o the hull when floating in the life raft. l still find it hard to beleive that it happened so quickly

[catty]

Thanks Rodcat. It must have been an extremely traumatic experience to live through. Is there any lessons or thoughts on the incident you would like to pass on so that we may learn from your experiences?

[Southern Star]

Hi Rodcat and welcome to the forum! While I suspect that it would be unwise at this juncture (prior to settling with insurance) for you to provide more details of the accident, your confirmation of the speed of the capsize after your boat was holed certainly tend to confirm that it was a rather large hole and that, had it been a monohull, the boat would have sunk rather quickly.

In any event, sorry for you loss and good luck with the insurance!

Brad

[Cookiesa]

As a former SOuth Australian and hopefully future cruiser of that area I am glad to hear you were all rescued in good condition, they can be very unforgiving seas there.

As others have said, thanks for your thought's and comments, sadly it is events like this we can all learn from.

Again sorry for your loss, the spirited 380 is my dream cat... ONE DAY!