[Rhodes22-list] R22 capsize in Force 10

[Rick Lange]

Lou,

A reassuring tale.

Lesson learned: when under power on port tack and you see a squall
approaching rapidly, tack to starboard to minimize the motor cavitating.

Regards,

Rick Lange


On Mon, Dec 30, 2019 at 2:05 PM Lou Rosenberg <lsr3 at nyu.edu> wrote:

> 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
>
>
>
> --
> Sent from: http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/
>