CAPSIZING

There have been a number of interesting letters and articles on the topic of capsizing in recent Bulletins. It is to be regretted however, that one member feels moved to leave the Association over the issue. Although I don't know David, he is clearly public spirited in having offered to run a course for others and takes safety issues seriously. The Association needs such members. I am sure I am not alone in hoping that he will stay.

The Boat Safety Regulations of the DCA contain the wisdom of many years' accumulated experience. They are worthy of close consideration by any member going cruising in a dinghy. In the case of a new member with little experience of the sea, fairly prescriptive advice is likely to be sought, and the DCA performs a vital service in printing Boat Safety Recommendations in every issue of the Bulletin. However each member ultimately has to make his or her own decisions. My boat, for example, does not conform to Recommendations 1, 2 and 4 - (length, beam and foredeck). I personally think that grace and beauty may be sacrificed in acquiring the recommended characteristics - but I stress that this is my personal opinion. Other members have different opinions based upon different priorities and different tastes. There are a wide variety of boat designs to be seen at DCA rallies. They are of great interest, learning and enjoyment. Vive la difference!

The first two sentences of Rule 3 suggests to me that a controlled capsize would need to be performed in order to discover this information, with the next sentence warning that capsizing when cruising should be avoided. I have written an article for this Bulletin (166/22) giving my own recent experience of capsizing and salutary lessons learned.

Alan Glanville