CHAPTER 9
5The scoopee will also need to be prepared to use his or her weight to help balance the boat as it is righted, as well as to release any sail controls such as the vang, and main and jib sheets. If these are cleated, they might allow the sails to fill with wind and cause the boat to begin sailing.
TURTLE RECOVERY: A turtle occurs when the boat has turned completely upside down. Recovering from a turtle position takes longer than a scoop or singlehanded capsize; an upside- down hull is very stable and the submerged sails will resist efforts to turn the boat back upright. In some situations, the airspace in the cockpit forms a suction seal with the water, making it even harder to get the boat upright. In shallow water, a mast can get stuck in the mud, either in a complete or partially turtled position. Using the turtle recovery method will aid in righting the boat.
TIP
As part of your safety check list, it is important to make sure there is a retaining device on your daggerboard/centerboard. Without the retaining device, the daggerboard has a tendency to slip back down through the daggerboard trunk, out of the hull, and into the water where it cannot be used to right the boat.
To recover from a turtle position, the boat must be rolled upright far enough so that the masthead is at the water’s surface (a capsize position). To recover, move all of your weight as far outboard on the hull as possible by standing on one of the gunnels, port or starboard, and placing your hands on the daggerboard or centerboard. Then lean outboard. On a doublehanded boat, it is often helpful for both the skipper and crew to do this together as the combined weight can be more effective. It may be a slow process to break the suction of the airspace in the hull or to ease the mast out of the mud, but be patient and keep your weight on the gunnel (the underside of the rail of the boat) until the boat starts to move.
Gentle bouncing can help break the suction, but if that bouncing is too pronounced you will likely break something. If your mast is stuck in the mud, be very cautious not to exert too much force trying to right the boat or you may bend the mast. In this situation, call for assistance from a safety boat.
48
Table of Contents
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65
