Capricorn F18 Owner’s Manual v1.2
Page 30
Australian High Performance Catamarans Pty. Ltd. – 50 Craig Street – Bendigo – 3550 Australia
Phone: +61 3 544369910 – Fax: +61 3 54412963 – email: [email protected] – website: wwww.ahpc.com.au
Despite the fact that a catamaran is essentially a stable platform an involuntary capsize can
happen in most conditions. Depending on the circumstances, the boat may either be on one hull
with the mast tip in the water, or it can be completely upside down
The Capricorn F18 requires a minimum crew weight of 130 kg to right the boat. Besides the
required righting line on the underside of the trampoline, a few tips will assist in a quick recovery
from a capsized catamaran:
♦
As soon as you hit the water, release yourself and the crew from all lines in which you might
be entangled, including the trapeze wire and do not let the boat out of your reach. Grab a
hold on any piece of the boat you can; swimming with buoyancy aids will be slow and the
capsized boat may drift faster away than you can swim.
♦
Climb up one hull as soon as possible and always release the downhaul, mainsheet,
traveller, jib sheet and spinnaker sheet. This will assist in righting the boat and help prevent
the boat from leaving you after righting.
♦
If the spinnaker was in use at the time of the capsize then it must be pulled into the spinnaker
chute.
♦
It is essential for righting the boat to point the mast to windward. If not already the case, let
the boat pivot itself by standing on the tip of the lower hull. Slowly the boat will point its mast
to windward.
♦
Grab the righting line from under the trampoline and position yourself and crew around on
the lower hull between the front beam and the centre board casing.
♦
Use your weight effectively by trapezing from the righting line using the trapeze hook from
your harness. Lean out as much as you can. The mast will lift from the water slowly with
sufficient weight on the righting rope. Be patient. It can take same time, but as soon as the
mast is out of the water, the wind will assist you by blowing onto the trampoline.
♦
If no progress is felt; make sure all lines are freed, especially the downhaul and main sheet.
Make sure the mast is pointing to windward, this is essential.
♦
As soon as the boat is upright, grab the dolphin striker. This will not only keep the boat from
capsizing to the other side, but will also keep you and the crew connected to the boat.
♦
Climb aboard over the front beam and use the dolphin striker as a step. If this is too high,
alternatively let yourself float (keep hold of the righting line) under the trampoline and use the
rear beam to get aboard.
♦
Once you and your crew are aboard, check all lines and orientate yourself about your current
position. Continue your initial course or head back when the damage is serious enough to
prevent continuation, or if you and the crew have been injured.
♦
To recover from a full capsize (mast pointing down) the first priority will be to revert to a
normal capsize situation. Grab the leeward centreboard, or righting line and lean out as far
as you can, level with the water. Be patient as the boat will gradually lift itself, once the
trampoline is out of the water, the wind will assist you.
