First Official Knock Down :)

[Jim23]

Well I finally got a chance to see how far the 23 will go over in a blow. I just wish it had been intentional and without guests on board! Fortunately no one went in the water and we all laughed until it hurt. I'll swallow my pride and list a few of my mistakes (probably several more in between) for your entertainment. I've read about how mistakes compound in a sticky situation to make it worse...I can now attest to that.

Mistake #1: I allowed an enthusiastic guest to man the tiller in building winds. I always like to see someone take an interest in sailing and encourage participation. A few hours of successful tacking/jibing does not make an experienced sailor.

I decided to complete a port tack ahead of an apparent gust a few hundred yards out. I manned the jib sheets and my guest was on the tiller. As we began the tack one of the jib sheets hung up on a stay and after fiddling with it for a moment I realized our heading was pointed directly upwind. I looked back to find that instead of falling off and completing the tack my guest had the tiller centered and shortly thereafter we stalled completely.

Mistake #2: I decided to fall off to starboard and attempt to regain boat speed before the impending gust arrived. I should have stayed in irons, uncleated the main, and furled the headsail.

My description makes it sound like events unfolded in slow motion but it seemed like seconds to me. By now the gust was much closer and I could see water spraying off the top of small 1'-2' waves...oh @#*#! I don't know if there's a term for wind dying slightly before a gust hits. That's what we encountered and so little to no boat speed was gained. I called out to our guests in a firm voice to hold on and then it hit. Initially the boat heeled to what felt like 35-40 degrees and then it went much further. I have no idea how far because I was scrambling to get a hold of the main sheet and release it (why hadn't I released it by now?). I did see water lapping on the base of the leeward stanchion.

Fortunately the boat handled my inexperience perfectly. It immediately began to round up and then popped right up allowing me an opportunity to do what I should have done earlier. Fortunately everyone laughed hard after the fear subsided so maybe they'll sail with me again one day.

[NateD]

How many guests onboard?

Whenever I take new people out I always start by explaining that the boat is going to heel, but it will not flip over. Usually there is a keel boat sitting on the hard somewhere in the marina that I can point to and explain that the keel is hanging off the bottom to act as a giant lever to keep us upright. Then I explain that the farther over the heel, the more wind we simply spill out of the sail. Most people seem to feel a little more comfortable after the talk, but their eyes still go wide and their hands go into a death grip when the first gust hits.

Did you take any water over the combing? That's when I start to get worried.

[Jim23]

I had a total of 5 people on the boat. Your approach is much more formal than mine. Before disembarking I suggested that the religious folks say a short prayer and assured everyone we had an excellent chance of making it back to the dock...no guarantees.

I didn't notice water spilling over the combing but the starboard cushion was soaked. That could have just been spilled beer.

[HeaveToo]

These things happen.  This won't be the last knockdown.  It is better if you are prepared for it but inevitably they will catch you off guard. 

Knockdowns are a little scary, bad broaches are terrifying.  I was once on a sailboat in a race and we did a nasty broach so hard that the top of the mast hit the water.  The boat stayed over until we released the spinnaker.  I swear that there were claw marks on the deck of the boat.  Green water was coming into the cockpit.

I always stress to my guests to always give one hand to the boat.  Inexperienced swimmers should wear a life jacket at all times.  In really foul stuff break out the jacklines and harnesses.  Be safe but, most importantly, be out there sailing!