Re: I re-read his post, and have another cause...

Posted By: Dave Edwards, Michigan, P165
Date: 2/25/05 7:22p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: I re-read his post, and have another cause... (Jack, P-165 "Sojourner")

When I selected the P165 it was specifically to take advantage of the balasted keel. I have owned "crazier" boats like a 470 and a Flying Dutchman and as I approached the big "50" it was time to go a little more conservative. Prior to buying the P165 I looked at a used P15 with its "weighted" board and decided it was nice boat but was closer to the 470/Flying Dutchman end of the spectrum as is the P185. Any of my old boats from a Sunfish to the Flying Dutchman all went through a shallow water knock down drill in order to know what to expect when they got knocked down. The bottom line is if you sail, someday you will be involved in a knock down and you need to know what to expect. As I recall even a Sunfish will turtle. In re-reading comments and stuff it raised some questions: 1. The wind conditions were 10-18 knots which after converting is ~12-21 MPH. Any time I hear a weather forecast that sounds like it will be over 15 MPH I start out the day with a reefed main and the jib furled. There were some obvious wind shifts that contributed the his problem. It sounds like he had a full main up. 2. If understood the description correctly why would you sail with the board up? Another comment on the site mentioned that that a well design boat should head up wind. With the board up it changes the handling characteristics of the boat. Said anther way, doesn't the board have to be down in order to create a pivot point for the rudder to perform properly? When I sailed main only in a dingy I use to pull the board back ~15 degree but it was still locked down. 3. I have seen strange things happen on moorings and boat lifts when the furl sail is left on. I leave the jib furled tight and securely tied down. I don't rely on the cleats to keep the sail furled. 4. It doesn't seem right to blame the boat. On the other hand if any of use had a day like that, we would not be happy either.