4 ms·
No fun, and likely life threatening. With a max speed of about 2 1/2 knots with a clean hull, the little boat isn't fast enough to sail out of the way of heavy
by reneherse 9y ago
No fun, and likely life threatening. With a max speed of about 2 1/2 knots with a clean hull, the little boat isn't fast enough to sail out of the way of heavy weather.
Once in a big storm, I can't even imagine the beating one would take inside that tiny craft, sliding down the face of a monster wave, crashing into the trough at the bottom, getting rolled. But perhaps his hull and rig design isn't subject to the same broaching and capsizing forces as a larger monohull...
I'm curious to read more about the design of the boat, his equipment, procedures and planning. Though it's best not to judge from a mere photo, there were several things visible in the images of the craft and video of his attempted departure that seemed counter to good seamanship.
- Cognitron 9y agoYeah, a boat that short has no speed whatsoever. And being exposed to the elements for that long. No shelter from wind and rain. Sleeping like that. But if he makes it, good for him. Holy shit.
- andrewflnr 9y agoUh, he has shelter from wind and rain. There's a waterproof hatch into the interior. Did I misunderstand you?
- ezequiel-garzon 9y agoSomebody has to be outside the hatch in a storm, to try to keep the boat from tipping over.
- clort 9y agoWhen there is nothing you can do then you do nothing. There is no requirement to be outside.
- Xylakant 9y agoWith so much weight on the keel, the boat is very unlikely to tip over. And if it does, it will right itself. It's most likely a very rough roller coaster ride, but unless you loose the keel or water gets into the boat you'll come out upright. Since the space inside is so limited, the usual danger of bruising yourself when the boat tips is limited. Not much space for objects to fly either.
- dreamcompiler 9y ago"With a balance point about 16in above the keel and a 5ft draught he has a stability profile most designers would kill for." That boat's not tipping over.
- LoSboccacc 9y agountil big jumps between waves deform the light hull and the seals start leaking
- VLM 9y agoIts a non-moored mooring buoy... if anything can survive, that design will.
- quickben 9y agoBut, a multiday storm in that pan, will be anything but fun.
- sehugg 9y agoThis video shows how hard it is to capsize a properly ballasted sailboat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7mYTOnOs3Y&t=3m45s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7mYTOnOs3Y&t=3m45s
- esaym 9y agoSweet video. Now I want one...
- Cognitron 9y agoYeah, I'd had a few whiskeys when I read the article and I missed that. My mistake. Still a rough trip, and I hope he makes it. That takes some serious balls.