Fastnet Race

[pteron]

Having just got back from a dismasting in the Fastnet, I'll comment:

1. On a multihull we have to paint the bottom in international orange for spotting if we capsize.
2. Similarly, we have jacklines accessible from the hull when inverted and
3. an escape hatch is mandatory.
4. We generally use non-auto lifejackets so we can swim out from underneath.
5. Often the liferaft is accessible from above and below

All of which it appears would have been useful on Rambler.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by tsmwebb

FWIW, the bolts were not the issue in this case.

I have not really been following so am probably confused (been out cruising on the other side of the world) but isn't this boat fundamentally the same one (give or take a nose job etc) that had a string of quite ordinary results starting several years ago as Speedboat, Virgin ... Rambler?

Yeah. The bolts thing was a joke; the boat had a canting keel. (Note the past tense.)

And yes, Rambler 100 was the former Speedboat, which then became Virgin Atlantic. A bit of a refit, however, in its current lease.

[rocma]

@pteron: you just point out why a multihull is so much safer than a mono (well pointed out!).

But...how would you fit an escape hatch on say this Rambler 100, or jacklines along the bottom of the boat. Rather impractical I think, if you think there is only 1 thing paramount on these yachts: SPEED!!

[tsmwebb]

Originally Posted by pteron

Having just got back from a dismasting in the Fastnet, I'll comment:

1. On a multihull we have to paint the bottom in international orange for spotting if we capsize.
2. Similarly, we have jacklines accessible from the hull when inverted and
3. an escape hatch is mandatory.
4. We generally use non-auto lifejackets so we can swim out from underneath.
5. Often the liferaft is accessible from above and below

All of which it appears would have been useful on Rambler.

Good list.

From the Isler interview the PFDs all had their auto-inflate intentionally disabled.

I am surprised that Juan K didn't draw in escape hatches and life rafts such that they were accessible capsized. VOR70 and ORMA60's rules require those things. I guess that capsize just wasn't considered in the brief.

Also from the Isler interview the crew on the Rambler were able to see the lifeboat searching for them for a long time but were unable to get their attention by waving and making noise. Apparently, even in the daylight the flash from the life-jacket lights finally caught the attention of the searchers. A laser pen might have been useful. Access to the rafts and their flares and so on would have been really useful.

Tom.

[catty]

Originally Posted by Catcruiser

@pteron: you just point out why a multihull is so much safer than a mono (well pointed out!).

!

This is Hilarious. A "Racing" multihull capsizes regularly and the "mumbles4us " crowd says its normal and this is a cruising forum. A "racing" monohull capsizes and the same crowd whip themselves into a frenzy. Says it all really.

Regards

[Factor]

Originally Posted by catty

This is Hilarious. A "Racing" multihull capsizes regularly and the "mumbles4us " crowd says its normal and this is a cruising forum. A "racing" monohull capsizes and the same crowd whip themselves into a frenzy. Says it all really.

Regards

frenzy |ˈfrenzē|
noun ( pl. -zies) [usu. in sing. ]
a state or period of uncontrolled excitement or wild behavior

[rocma]

Just proves the point multihulls are more modern and safer craft, as cruising multihulls have the same features and cruising multihulls don´t.

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by Catcruiser

Just proves the point multihulls are more modern and safer craft, as cruising multihulls have the same features and cruising multihulls don´t.

Monos require a gear failure to capsize whilst multis only require a brain failure.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by hoppy

Monos require a gear failure to capsize whilst multis only require a brain failure.

Roflmbo...

[pteron]

My point was not that multis are better than monos or vice versa - that is an unanswerable debate and I tired of it years ago.

My point was that on the boat I was sailing, we plan for failure and take steps to mitigate it. It appeared that this failure mode had not really been considered by the Rambler team which is surprising given the number of high profile keel failures on race boats.

[rocma]

Hey Hoppy, we have te same boat!! (for now)

[tsmwebb]

Originally Posted by catty

This is Hilarious. A "Racing" multihull capsizes regularly and the "mumbles4us " crowd says its normal and this is a cruising forum. A "racing" monohull capsizes and the same crowd whip themselves into a frenzy. Says it all really.

Regards

You don't have to raise to the bait if you don't want to.

However many hulls there is a chance to consider what worked and what might be done better whenever there is a casualty. Here is a list of priorities Ron White of the trimaran "Cheekee Monkee" put together after their dramatic capsize:

1. Manual PFDs
2. a fixed knife
3. handheld GPS
4. handheld VHF
5. eprib
6. cutting tools

I expect Rambler's crew will come up with a similar list. It has me thinking about my own preparations. Some themes transcend the mono/multi thing. "Says it all really."

Tom.

[pteron]

In a different thread we were discussing knives on board. I'm happy to say that I followed my own advice and had my knife available on me. It was very useful for cutting lines and sail tape to free the mess.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by hoppy

Monos require a gear failure to capsize whilst multis only require a brain failure.

Funny, but false.

[alan_za]

Originally Posted by hoppy

Monos require a gear failure to capsize whilst multis only require a brain failure.

I'm sure Francis Joyon will be interested in your theory..