I "turtled" my Potter 14 (masthead pointing at the bottom) the first day I sailed such a small boat, due to some rookie mistakes. I was screaming downwind with the centerboard up, and a 30+ knot gust hit me on the beam; she went clear over because the cabin filled up as we capsized. It was easy to right after I dove down to the cockpit and released the sheets, but the water was memorably cold. Funny how I have not done that again in 33 years. In the Potter, I never sail with the centerboard up, never cleat off the main, and never leave the cabin open; simple. On my M17 I mounted the mainsheet cleat upside down so it will pop loose with a yank in one of those frantic moments you can't predict. Beyond that, just have fun. I love lake sailing, but it is much different than the ocean. You can't daydream because the wind direction and speed are so variable, and you have to keep in mind what to do with those sheet if you heel wildly or capsize.
I've read several reports of Potters turtling--it's a feature. But never an M15 or M17. Knockdowns? Sure. But turtle? Never. t On Mon, Apr 1, 2013 at 11:35 AM, Tom Jenkins <tjenk@gte.net> wrote:
I "turtled" my Potter 14 (masthead pointing at the bottom) the first day I sailed such a small boat, due to some rookie mistakes. I was screaming downwind with the centerboard up, and a 30+ knot gust hit me on the beam; she went clear over because the cabin filled up as we capsized. It was easy to right after I dove down to the cockpit and released the sheets, but the water was memorably cold. Funny how I have not done that again in 33 years. In the Potter, I never sail with the centerboard up, never cleat off the main, and never leave the cabin open; simple. On my M17 I mounted the mainsheet cleat upside down so it will pop loose with a yank in one of those frantic moments you can't predict. Beyond that, just have fun. I love lake sailing, but it is much different than the ocean. You can't daydream because the wind direction and speed are so variable, and you have to keep in mind what to do with those sheet if you heel wildly or capsize.
This on the subject from the MSOG site: http://msog.org/how-to/mastrake.cfm Playing the main works for the M17 and most other boats, but apparently is not such a good idea for the M15? I too am mostly a lake sailor and you do have to pay attention. Wind shifts and veers a lot around natural obstacles and the wind can get really feisty in places where the lake necks down. You can also get some steep chop vs. longer swells, so are tempted to leave sail up to power through it. The only thing close to a knockdown I've had on my M17 was in building winds with too much sail up and usually coming out of a tack with no way on. In those conditions, I've found it much more pleasant to double reef my main and fly my storm jib. She will still cook along at 5 knots plus and be on her feet and in control. I've always found that more enjoyable than on her ear and rounding up all the time............or worse. On Apr 1, 2013, at 1:35 PM, Tom Jenkins wrote:
I "turtled" my Potter 14 (masthead pointing at the bottom) the first day I sailed such a small boat, due to some rookie mistakes. I was screaming downwind with the centerboard up, and a 30+ knot gust hit me on the beam; she went clear over because the cabin filled up as we capsized. It was easy to right after I dove down to the cockpit and released the sheets, but the water was memorably cold. Funny how I have not done that again in 33 years. In the Potter, I never sail with the centerboard up, never cleat off the main, and never leave the cabin open; simple. On my M17 I mounted the mainsheet cleat upside down so it will pop loose with a yank in one of those frantic moments you can't predict. Beyond that, just have fun. I love lake sailing, but it is much different than the ocean. You can't daydream because the wind direction and speed are so variable, and you have to keep in mind what to do with those sheet if you heel wildly or capsize.
Not liking white knucles when I sail, I have learned that if I let the sheets loose, the main plus the jib sheets, when the wind or current or water get wild, that my M-15 will tend to pop upright, then I can go about re-setting the sheets to adjust to the wind and other conditions. Steve M-15 # 335 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Howard Audsley" <haudsley@tranquility.net> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, April 01, 2013 1:58 PM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Turning turtle This on the subject from the MSOG site: http://msog.org/how-to/mastrake.cfm Playing the main works for the M17 and most other boats, but apparently is not such a good idea for the M15? I too am mostly a lake sailor and you do have to pay attention. Wind shifts and veers a lot around natural obstacles and the wind can get really feisty in places where the lake necks down. You can also get some steep chop vs. longer swells, so are tempted to leave sail up to power through it. The only thing close to a knockdown I've had on my M17 was in building winds with too much sail up and usually coming out of a tack with no way on. In those conditions, I've found it much more pleasant to double reef my main and fly my storm jib. She will still cook along at 5 knots plus and be on her feet and in control. I've always found that more enjoyable than on her ear and rounding up all the time............or worse. On Apr 1, 2013, at 1:35 PM, Tom Jenkins wrote:
I "turtled" my Potter 14 (masthead pointing at the bottom) the first day I sailed such a small boat, due to some rookie mistakes. I was screaming downwind with the centerboard up, and a 30+ knot gust hit me on the beam; she went clear over because the cabin filled up as we capsized. It was easy to right after I dove down to the cockpit and released the sheets, but the water was memorably cold. Funny how I have not done that again in 33 years. In the Potter, I never sail with the centerboard up, never cleat off the main, and never leave the cabin open; simple. On my M17 I mounted the mainsheet cleat upside down so it will pop loose with a yank in one of those frantic moments you can't predict. Beyond that, just have fun. I love lake sailing, but it is much different than the ocean. You can't daydream because the wind direction and speed are so variable, and you have to keep in mind what to do with those sheet if you heel wildly or capsize.
----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 2641/6218 - Release Date: 04/01/13
On 4/1/2013 4:56 PM, stevetrapp wrote:
Not liking white knucles when I sail, I have learned that if I let the sheets loose, the main plus the jib sheets, when the wind or current or water get wild, that my M-15 will tend to pop upright, then I can go about re-setting the sheets to adjust to the wind and other conditions. Steve M-15 # 335
----- Original Message ----- From: "Howard Audsley"<haudsley@tranquility.net> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats"<montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, April 01, 2013 1:58 PM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Turning turtle
This on the subject from the MSOG site:
http://msog.org/how-to/mastrake.cfm
Playing the main works for the M17 and most other boats, but apparently is not such a good idea for the M15?
I too am mostly a lake sailor and you do have to pay attention. Wind shifts and veers a lot around natural obstacles and the wind can get really feisty in places where the lake necks down. You can also get some steep chop vs. longer swells, so are tempted to leave sail up to power through it. The only thing close to a knockdown I've had on my M17 was in building winds with too much sail up and usually coming out of a tack with no way on.
In those conditions, I've found it much more pleasant to double reef my main and fly my storm jib. She will still cook along at 5 knots plus and be on her feet and in control. I've always found that more enjoyable than on her ear and rounding up all the time............or worse.
On Apr 1, 2013, at 1:35 PM, Tom Jenkins wrote:
I "turtled" my Potter 14 (masthead pointing at the bottom) the first day I sailed such a small boat, due to some rookie mistakes. I was screaming downwind with the centerboard up, and a 30+ knot gust hit me on the beam; she went clear over because the cabin filled up as we capsized. It was easy to right after I dove down to the cockpit and released the sheets, but the water was memorably cold. Funny how I have not done that again in 33 years. In the Potter, I never sail with the centerboard up, never cleat off the main, and never leave the cabin open; simple. On my M17 I mounted the mainsheet cleat upside down so it will pop loose with a yank in one of those frantic moments you can't predict. Beyond that, just have fun. I love lake sailing, but it is much different than the ocean. You can't daydream because the wind direction and speed are so variable, and you have to keep in mind what to do with those sheet if you heel wildly or capsize.
----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 2641/6218 - Release Date: 04/01/13
But it is interesting that he says to bring in the jib tight under those conditions. Linda
participants (5)
-
Howard Audsley -
Linda Cummings -
stevetrapp -
Tom Jenkins -
Tom Smith