CAPSIZING

With all the present interest in capsizing, I would like to make two points:

Having participated in capsize drills under ideal conditions with racing dinghies, I cannot imagine how any solo sailor could right a heavy cruising boat, perhaps filled with heavy gear, in choppy water unless extremely fit AND wearing a wet suit.

In my one experience of being capsized in more dangerous circumstances, the young crew were so weak that they were even unable to climb a ladder on to a motor boat AFTER JUST HALF AN HOUR IN RELATIVELY WARM WATER.

Surely it would make more sense to accept that however little sail one tries to carry, a capsize might happen one day and that efforts to right the boat might be better spent in getting the mobile phone or VHF radio to work! In other words, make sure you have the best means possible ready to effect a rescue.

Graham Knight