Always been a sensitive topic for cats. There's no question
that once rolled over, there is not way to recover. A monohull can be rolled and right itself again
with the crew likely surviving it and then with the ability to continue sailing on to a safe
destination. Once rolled or picthpoled on a Cat, there's not much you can do.
What I would like to try and answer here, are 2 questions :
I've sailed in 35 knot winds, gusting to 45, with 10-12'
waves, and never felt that the 37' cat would capsize or broach. Of course, I've never been out in
the middle of ocean in a gale, or in the Roaring 40's (and I don't plan to), so I'm no veteran of
this kind of weather.
To help this debate I would really appreciate some "lived"
experience from the readers out there. Please E-Mail me and I will post your comments.
How likely are Cats to capsize
In most weather conditions, one should not worry about capsizing a cruising cat of 35' or above.
But in extreme conditions, I would expect that controlling the speed of the boat would be the single, most
important objective fo the crew. Reducing sail, and trailing warps, or sea anchors
seem to me to be the
best strategies. Hoving to may also work, but I have not read anything about how effective this is
with Cats.
What to do when capsized
Everything I've read says "Stay with the Boat". Cats by their nature, will not sink. They are not loaded down with lead keels, and thus will stay afloat. Even better yet, if the cat hulls include water tight bulkheads fore and aft. The upside down cat provides a wide platform for the crew to stay dry, and a much easier target to spot for the rescue teams, than a small life-raft. As well, much of the food, health and safety items from the boat will still be accesible to the crew, giving them a better chance of survival, versus going at it from a life-raft.
CeBe WebDesign November 12, 2007