catalina27-talk: Can a C-27 turnover - part 2

[DMTierney]

Well, yesterday my friend, John, and I took the Celtic Pride out on Chesapeake Bay and had a great sail but noticed clouds building in from the east at about 1p.  Winds were generally out of the west and the front form the East seemed to be clearing out to the south.  We started back for Middle River under main and iron genny (a Universal 5411 with a 2 blade prop).  We furled the genoa because the wind had died down. 30 minutes later the wind picked up a bit from the west but the clouds to the East were now building again.  We talked about dousing the main a couple of times.  John was in favor of this.  I thought, however, about unfurling the genoa to give us a little more speed to get back to the dock before the weather got nasty.  So, yes you know what we did, we unfurled the genoa and for the next 30 seconds were making great time on a port tack, beam reach.  After 30 seconds the wind changed directly out of the east so that without an change in course or tacking we were now on a starbord tack, beam reach.  That pleasant sail lasted about another 30 seconds.

John pointed to the east and we saw the approaching effect of a burst of wind on the water.  I began to turn into the wind but the burst reached us at the beginning of the turn and healed the CP an easy 40 degrees (my compass only shows 30 and a glance showed the line was well past the markings).  We turned into the wind, John doused the main, I furled the Genoa while trying to keep the nose into the wind.

Sails were tied or furled and we motored into the river.

About 30 minutes after that inital burst of wind we were back at the dock.  The sun was shining and a gentle breeze blowing as I stepped onto the dock.

What did I learn. 

Well, I knew there were chances of storms for later in the afternoon so I should have taken the clouds a little more seriously. 

Also, I've always been told that if you talk about reefing or taking in the sails you should just do it.  Next time, I will. 

I was amazed at how well that little 5411 held the boat into the wind.  I kicked the throttle up and she held true and steady.

Finaly, believe it or not...one of the thoughts that passed through my mind while getting the boat to windward was the email chat about "can a C-27" turnover.  It's one of those slow motion kind of things when you are in a tight spot and your mind is racing.  I know any boat can turtle but all the discussion about the stability of the C-27 helped me stay a bit cooler than I might have. 

The email forum, having good friends to sail with like John Jennings of the Escapade, and belonging to the upper Bay's Fleet 19 have helped me become a better sailor.  Oh, and the school of experience helps quite a bit in that, too.

Oh, and by the way...It was great fun!

Dave Tierney
Celtic Pride, 5282
1982 C-27, Traditional
Middle River, Maryland