We’ve been busy playing with all sorts of things, but have now completed the new PDRacer capsize recovery drill video. Detailed description below.
Capsize recovery needs to be practiced
It is important to know the method and practice in safe conditions with a breeze blowing toward shore.
Capsize safety is largely about saving energy. If you have practiced you know where the energy is wasted and can work to fix the problems.
The Capsize Recovery video for the Oz Goose and OzRacer
Note that the clip is in real time.
There is a a very significant error that i was not wearing a lifejacket. Something that has caused serious situations in my life including two times being rescued – remind self – lifejackets save energy. Video was from the Verandah of Peter’s house.
Video image can take a moment to load.
Explanation of Capsize Recovery in Oz Goose or Oz Racer.
Repeated practice is essential for learning how to right any boat. The difficulty of different parts of the process depends on the type of boat.
0/ Yes … a step 0!
If you have read about pointing the bow of the boat into the wind … this is outdated information. Nobody has done it for decades as it wastes energy. The wind will push the boat to the right angle usually.
1/ When boat is capsized – jump into the water quickly.
Don’t try to stay dry – just get straight in the water – If the crew holds on inside the boat then they will drag the boat upside down. This takes a lot more energy to fix than having the boat on its side.
If only one crew is needed for getting the boat up (because you have practiced – right?) the other can stay on the sail side but should not pull down on the boat but should keep a firm hold onto the side of the boat or the traveller.
2/ Go around the back of the boat to the centreboard
Pull yourself along by grabbing the boat as in the video. Get to the centreboard quickly and grab it. Move your hands out toward the tip.
3/ The load to pull the boat upright is not large but it is consistent.
Lie in the water holding onto the tip of the centreboard and pull it consistently down towards your stomach.
4/ Boat will come upright with persistent but not great effort.
There will be no water aboard. Make sure everyone is holding on. First part of capsize recovery achieved.
Getting back Aboard the boat after Capsize
Depending on upper body strength and weight, crew will have different amounts of difficulty getting back into the boat. Can be a good idea to prioritise the one who is easiest to get aboard then they can help the others.
Remember if you can get one crewmember aboard they can help the others.
1/ Strong and agile crew
Can get in over the side. Sink down into the water holding onto the side of the boat and surge up with a swimming kick and pull at same time. Grab the hiking strap. If stuck, instead of trying to go straight in, pivot your body so it is parallel to the side of the boat
2/ Less strong and agile crew – go to lowest point of the boat
Go to the stern of the boat.
Put one hand on the back corner of the boat and the other hand on the back of the rudderbox. pull and kick so you can get your elbows onto the two same places and your navel area onto the top of the transom. Or keep pushing up further.
Grab onto traveller or hiking strap and drag yourself in being careful not to land on top of the tiller.
3/ For not so strong crew or where there is a disability there needs to be some Preparation.
Make a rope loop tied off to the back of the hiking strap. It should be long enough to hand down about 800 to 900mm below the bottom edge of the transom. It can be permanently attached and left in the back of the boat. Reach in and grab it.
Put your foot in it and push yourself up higher and drag youself in with the traveller and hiking strap.
Several of the sailors sailing Oz Geese in the Philippines are amputees. Cherrie, an international representative sailor spend about an hour practicing with different lengths until she was able to get into the boat efficiently.
Practice and Practice Again
Turning Turtle and capsize Recovery
First step is to get everyone holding on. Around the transom and rudder is the best place to find secure hand holds.
Getting onto the bottom of the boat
The bottom of the boat is slippery and surprisingly steep. There is a trick method.
The wrong way is to try and drag yourself up with your hands. Your hands will just slip.
The right way is to put your hands palm down beside your hips and PUSH yourself up. This method gives you plenty of weight to exert on your hands to stop them from slipping. Push yourself up to the flatter part of the boat.
Where is the wind coming from?
Once on the bottom feel the wind and watch the waves. Move to the side of the boat that is closer to the direction the wind is coming from.
How to stand to right the boat from a Turtle capsize
I typically stand with one hand holding the tip of the centreboard.
One foot on the underside of the gunwale one foot on the bottom of the boat. Then lean my butt out as far as I can. The side of the boat I am on will sink and the other side will raise. As it raises put a second hand holding the tip of the centreboard.