About 10 years ago I was sailing out of the Clearwater Sailing Center on a 17' rental and was knocked down by a wind burst that was created by wind funneling between to tall hotel buildings. I was knocked into the water without my life jacket on not good:-(, fortunately I was able to right the boat by standing on the keel as soon as it was up it started to sail as I had not had the presence of mind to release the sheets. I was able to grab a hold on the boat but could not lift myself (220 lbs) into the boat with out any assistance no ladder. There I was hanging on the back of the boat that was now sailing itself across Clearwater Bay. Thankfully the Sailing Center was keeping on eye out and notified the Coast Guard Station a 1/2 mile south of the Center and they came to the rescue a real comedy of errors on my part and PTL for the results. George -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Henry Rodriguez Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2015 11:15 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: Turning Turtle My 23' Venture Newport Chiquita was knocked down by a microburst over 20 years ago. I couldn't release the sheets quickly enough before I tumbled into the lake. The sails managed to scoop up a ton of water; we were going at hull speed. The 600lb swing keel could not right the boat with the sails full of water. Water poured in the open hatches, she turned turtle, and sank in about three minutes. Henry M17 #310 Monita http://macgregor.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_kb&Itemid=256&cat_i d=155&aid=7671&page=article&mn=25 On Wed, Jun 24, 2015 at 10:51 PM, Bob Eeg <montgomeryboats@hotmail.com> wrote:
Pictures or it didn't happen. ;-)
So you're saying the Mast was pointing straight down.? The boat was bottom up level?
Did you fall onto the sail ?
Any boat can be knocked down in high winds, but when the sails lay flat and dumps the wind, the ballast (40%) should right the boat.
It was turtled for 1/2 hour? Yeah..........
:-)
Sent from my iPad
On Jun 24, 2015, at 4:16 PM, Robert Hall <bert.hall@bell.net> wrote:
Hello All,Unfortunately at 1600 today while sailing alone in blustery wind on the Ottawa River with a reefed jib and full main I learned the answer to a question many of us have asked ourselves." If knocked down, will the M 15 continue heeling and finally turn turtle?" The answer "yes". In my case when the gust hit there was no time to steer off, cast off sheets or to take any other remedial action.I was in the water . Possibly had the drop boards been in place the disaster might have been lessened, but I do not know.Any way over I went with both sails set. Fortunately fellow boaters arrived within half an hour and two of us righted the boat as one would a dinghy,bailed a little and got towed back to our club. Drying out will take a while and the teasing will take even longer to fade. This 84 year old has come safely through a nasty experience and henceforth will at least keep the drop boards in place when sailing in gusty weather. A word to the wise.Cheers . RTH.
-- Henry https://picasaweb.google.com/heinzir