[Rhodes22-list] R22 capsize in Force 10

[Lou Rosenberg]

1981 Rhodes with Standard rigging hits 26mph wind from nowhere

On Sept 1, 2012 outside of Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn I was quietly motoring
with only my main up.
I was out alone, the day was extremely hot with average temps in the mid
90sF, almost NO  wind all day.  I had met up with a NEW Rhodes22 owner, I
believe out of Sheepshead Bay with a full crew about 45 minutes before I got
near the buoys for the Sheepshead channel when out of nowhere and from the
EAST,  I noticed the water getting churned up quickly.  In no more than 3
seconds the wind hit my boat amidships.  My motor was still running and I
was pointed southeast as I struggled to head up and drop my main.  I had NOT
installed a jiffy reef and was relying on the ability to roll up my main if
needed to reef.  That option was not even conceivable to me as I needed to
be on the windward side of the helm.  My motor was cavitating as the waves
picked up, and was barely able to assist me getting into this heavy wind.  I
was also too close to an anchored construction barge which was being used
for the maintenance of the Knapp St sewer outlet at the time. 
My memory was seared with the image of my rail deep in the water, the boom
just about to get wet also. I had just let the traveler out all the way as
it took seconds using John Locke’s design upgrade which was posted on “da
list” back then.  But I was still way to abeam of this heavy air.  My heart
was pounding in my chest and I knew I just had to stay with the boat and
sure enough I got my break and eased the tiller windward, stood up and used
my quick release Lewmar rope clutch to let down the main.  I still had to
stand and was glad I had put my PFD back on before all this happened. 
Remember it was 90F+ and no wind just seconds ago! 
My point: The R22 with just the standard rig, a fairly new mainsail, and the
standard CB did not come near capsizing or taking on water. It was confirmed
to me later that week that the winds went up to 26mph that afternoon.
Moral: The next weekend I bought myself all the essential blocks and 1/4”
line to rig a Jiffy Reefing system which helped me out many times later
especially singlehanding in Rockaway Inlet and the Lower Bay of NY Harbor.
Since most of Rhodies have IMF the ease of taking in sail should never be an
issue and I believe the R22 could withstand 45 mph broadside and still
survive. It may take some water, but she would not sink.

Lou  Rosenberg
Former owner of
Miracles
out of Mill Basin Brooklyn



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