It all happened in Squally Bay, Lake Weslemkoon - a large lake
just south of Algonquin Park. We capsized in late August 99. Not
only capsized - we turned turtle. But, in accordance with MOT
requirements we had our whistles. We blew them and people in
boats came (just like in the movies, ' build a field and they
will come). It took 8 people in three outboards, 31/2 hours to
get our Rebel to shore, less than a kilometre away.
As you noted in your e-mail, our old boat has very little
flotation. And because we have had difficulty getting our boat
point (the subject of previous correspondence between us) we had
added 'ballast' to the bow (two concrete blocks) which resulted
in a boat which when in the turtle position, looked like the
Titanic i.e. only the stern above water. Our lake is
approximately 50 metres deep at the 'turtled' location so, if
1132 went down it would need titanic efforts to retrieve it. More
importantly with only the stern above water it was very difficult
to tow, particularly in heavy seas. All of the above required
taking off the motor (we use a 2 hp electric trolling motor to
get in and out of a rocky shoreline), removing the rudder and
cutting the forestay to free the mast - all underwater operations.
Even then, nature would only let our helpers tow in one direction
- away from the cottage - boat still upside down. But people are
wonderful. Those at the cottage where we were beached hours later,
righted the boat, bailed it out (for a while water was coming
over sides as fast as the bailers could work), gave us dry
clothes, fed us, and even gave the skipper a beer. We
reciprocated a week later by designing a T-Shirt with a sailboat
and the words 'Squally Bay Rescue Squad' and giving one to each
of the 8 good souls who saved the ship (and us). Troopers that we
are, new airplane wire was purchased, the mast reinstalled and
the crew was out sailing the next weekend. How did it happen? We
were sailing in the 'big lake. White caps began to appear. We
headed for home but when passing between two islands hit an
underwater obstruction which apparently drove the centre board up.
When we tried to head into the wind to take down the sails, the
boat went on a screeching reach instead. I threw out the sails (too
far it seems) and the boom hit the water - game over. After
rereading a sailing book and the rebelsailor web page we have
learned a lot. The most important lesson - we must add flotation
bags under bow and stern and put 'blue' rigid insulation under
the floorboards. And just as were are thinking of those things (and
new sails) you come along with your proposal for flotation bags.
YES - we are interested. Tell us more. Thanks for listening.
Regards, High Westren Toronto,Ontario