Open sea capsize - the lessons

Learning the lessons from my recent capsize, just after the huge Brest 2016 maritime festival.
Links
The Dinghy Cruising Companion
www.amazon.co.uk/Dinghy-Cruis...
The Dinghy Cruising Association:
dinghycruising.org.uk/

[@leohorishny9561]

Cheerful? I hate to point out, you're safe, sound, and learned several things for the future, as well as offered those lessons to your viewers. Those lessons are very filled with cheer for us followers and we are thankful to quietly absorb them. Fair winds.

[@vinniesdayoff3968]

Hello Rodger, I don't sail, but I like the sea. I usually have to learn, with some pain involved, from my own mistakes. It makes a pleasant change to learn from someone else's mistakes. Thanks for sharing your experience. This is valuable education.

[@fingerhorn4]

This man is a wonderful antidote to the plastic dinghy brigade who are only interested in speed, maximum uncomfortability and almost no aesthetic interest in simply being afloat. I recommend all of Roger's videos. There are many like him but they do not often find a public voice. I never understand why dinghy sailing is a "compulsory" sport and everyone wants to win by going half a knot faster. What happened to cruising for pleasure? Well Roger has the answer in all of his excellent videos.

[@marcodalifultano9457]

It’s amazing you survived.

[@darenlindley]

Bro.! Your humility helps us all!

[@marcodalifultano9457]

Daren Lindley he iz badass on da riva

[@lester007able]

Just found you.. as the proud owner of a Island Packet 42 in Florida...I am so very jealous...watching you takes me back to why I started sailing to begin with. simple an to the point... I have AC , water maker, radar, a washing machine,you get the picture...calm seas an fair winds my friend!!!

[@MrBanook]

Really thankful for all inputs and whatnots like when you tell and show direcly about your experiences!

[@michaelryding2409]

Thanks for sharing this - great advice and experience - "Let them be safe where it's told"

[@christiangeiselmann]

I have used these bags (with the opening at one end) for river boating for years, including incidents whete the boat capsized or got full of water due to big waves. The bags dod their job well. But I think it is important to close them carefully, with three rolls at least, and no wrinkles in the roll.

[@scottcaple9690]

very sage advice, delivered with just the right amount of sagacity....seriously, great stuff. just discovered your channel, thanks!

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Thanks for the video. Very helpful information and it is very good to know you and the Avel Dro's are up to snuff once again.

[@rikvandervaart2601]

Thanks Roger, good stuff. Learnt some lessons myself last year with my Pathfinder's mishap... wrote it up on the blog.

[@daveevans8256]

Bad luck Roger, still you know how to put everything right so that’s a blessing. Good luck 👍🇬🇧

[@simonmoore8414]

Bought your excellent dinghy cruising bible. Benefited greatly from the wisdom within when I sailed a Wayfarer from Gravesend to Calais (via Ramsgate & St Margaret's Bay, Dover). I still refer to the knowledge regularly.

[@wolfthequarrelsome504]

Dangerous boat, the wayfarer.

[@michaelmcclafferty3346]

Thanks Roger for a very honest and informative video. I have a Shetland Yoal and I'm not a very experienced sailor. Two years ago I capsized her and beat myself up about it. I have learned from but I'm quite uplifted by your video that these things can happen and we just have to move on.

[@OutnBacker]

Mr. Barnes, I find nothing in this report to be less than cheerful. Glad you are here to tell the tale.

[@oreilly1237878]

The main thing is you are safe and sound and we all learn from our mistakes,you are still a good mariner with great humility and you were their living the dream the very opposite of a coach potato ,well done.

[@jansveen]

i love your films. thanks

[@maxboonkittypoison]

ooh a few lessons learnt and some upgrades made you came out better :) good job. Greetings,, Kitty.

[@PeterMumford]

thanks for sharing those insights

[@andrewarmstrong9724]

Thanks for the video. Very interesting

[@teresitasamonte1074]

Thanks to ypur video. Watvhing you sail makes me relaxed, and your video is informative. I wish i ciuld go sailing too

[@MandolinSunrise]

Same thing happed to a Wayfarer we had at school in the early ‘70’s. The main sheet was replaced because it was damaged and, they said, too thin. The new, heavier main sheet would often catch in the same place on the seat and capsizes became more frequent. No change after that though, the capsizes were welcomed by the teachers! 😊

[@markholdforth6109]

thank you there was a lot of very good info and a few things to think about

[@coalfieldbeelovergerald3687]

Grand festive n celebration.. good recap on capsizing review even if older vid. Always something to be learned

[@SimonLeslieEllis]

I very nearly capsized a Laser 16 with a young family on board when the 11yr old lad grabbed and jammed the centre main sheet arrangement when a sudden gust hit. The memory still haunts me!

[@wolfthequarrelsome504]

You were in a good boat, though. I sure sympathise with you getting the shivers of what might have been.

[@AusMarineRobotics]

Wouldn't have seen any of those coming. I'm going to test all those bags in the backyard pool first thing in the morning!

[@sabo55]

Being sure your mainsheet is free to run really is the number 1 thing with dinghys this has been my experience if in dought KEEP THE MAINSHEET FREE and obviously checking that it can run in case of emergency.

[@richcastle6796]

Loving all your films roger, great advice. I’ve been restoring a wonderful teak clinker dinghy built in Hong Kong just before the war. Very sturdy build. My only concern is that she is only 10ft. Too short ??? Any opinions welcome.

[@Helliconia54]

Learning by your mistakes.You have to live through them first.Glad you survived and that you learned something.My wife and i sail a Hartley TS16.We went on a motor only cruise(left the mast at home.)Meant to have been 2 and half hours on a long shallow lake(Gippsland lakes)Half way home the wind picked up to 30 knotts.The first spray over the bow reduced my visability to near zero.I wear glasses Water on the lens is no fun.We missed our turn into paynesville.Wind picked up the chop was high and close with the lakes water turning brown.We had NO choice but to keep going and seek shelter.7 hours later,,,we found shelter and discovered we had motored full length of lake Long story short.Storm passed went back in heavy following swell that threatened to broach us.11 hours at the tiller.refuelled twice on the go.What went wrong? a lot.We survived to make sure it cannot happen again.I envy you,your skill in travelling where you do in an open boat love your videos stay safe.

[@lone-wolf1248]

I'm glad you didn't get hurt, that's the main thing! And now you know how she handles under stress!

[@roxyknight4909]

Just ordered your 2nd edition book Roger !!

[@Alastair510]

Very interesting. My wife and I are contemplating getting a large dinghy for trailering and weekend sailing/sleeping aboard around the islands (we live on the isle of lewis). The waters here can be very choppy; steep, wind-driven chop. Guaranteed to slop over the bow at some times. I'll be taking some lessons from this video about keeping things dry (and from your book)!

[@RogerRoving]

Perhaps look at Welsford designs. Good for rough water.

[@andyjarman4958]

Always keep a toilet roll in every roll top bag. They are very absorbent and reduce the amount of sodden mess you find when you open them. Like duct tape, and fencing wire there is no end to the uses for a roll of toilet paper. Just ask my Labrador...

[@christopherstevenson9737]

Thanks for the insight and useful tips. Hoping to join the Small Boat/Dinghy clan when I retire(4 yrs.). Btw. The birds singing and sheep in background blocked some of the voice - but sweet noise! 😀

[@VadiodaXT]

Thanks for sharing

[@OldDadProductions]

Glad all turned out okay Roger, Thanks for sharing these videos with us, and thanks for your great book which I just finished. Just to point out a slight error on page 233. When Cook hit the reef, he beached Endeavour on the banks of what is now "The Endeavour river" at what is now "Cooktown" in Queensland. Botany bay is about 1500 nautical miles south of there.

[@RogerRoving]

My apologies for my lamentable knowledge of Australian geography!

[@RobertSeviour1]

There was nothing rude about his comment.

[@bigbadthesailor5173]

Great Analysis Roger. many thanks for putting this out there. I was rather shocked to discover on the instruction for some (excellent) exped drybags that they aren't guaranteed to keep water out if immersed. I think this is a general problem with roll-top bags. We keep all our stuff in these, but the important gear (most clothes, bedding etc) goes also into the watertight lockers. I think the air can force its way out through a roll-lock and thus water gets in. This is probably less marked with the end-opening ones you are switching too. Loving the land-based musings. keep them coming!

[@brimstone33]

A possible solution is to use two or more liner bags (trash compactor bags are what hikers use, inexpensive and durable) inside the roll tops to both add another waterproof layer and to divide and organize the contents. Seal the inner bags with a knot or hefty rubber band.

[@RobertSeviour1]

Multiple layers closed off with rubber bands works for me.

[@Rameman33]

Just come across you Roger and am really enjoying your videos.There's another channel you might already know of called - PlymouthWelshboy.He does similar activities.Regards.

[@santamulligan676]

thats great perhaps plastic cider barrels,very buoyant once the contents are consumed

[@hoagietime1]

I've recognized that as I gain more experience I make better/safer decisions when I'm with a group. But on the other hand I take more risks when I'm solo. Whenever I make mistakes it's almost always in situations where I knew better but did it anyway, so what was the mindset that lead me to make those decisions in the first place.

[@donnyo65]

Roll top bags are waterproof (I keep my tent in one when motorcycle touring and it has never leaked), however they are not designed for immersion. Immersion proof bags have some sort of dry zip which seals the bag mechanically. Unfortunately these tend to be smaller and more expensive - a lot more expensive!

[@jimf1964]

donnyo65 That's a very large closer to keep water out. The roll tops with the opening at one end are meant for immersion. They use them for white water here in Canada.

[@donnyo65]

Yes - I've heard all the claims and I have many of both types - end closure and side closure. The only ones that will claim to be immersion proof have a rubber zipper and a roll end. I have seen roll tops leak many times after immersion (I have been lucky never to have had a dunking with one in my canoe - I use a well strapped down barrel for river running). Divers don't use roll tops for their dry suits, just (very) expensive zippers - for a good reason (I used to dive a lot)!

[@jimf1964]

donnyo65 Barrels are better for sure. I personally think the smaller end closer, wrapped enough times, are fine. I know what you mean about the zipper ones, but I've never had any faith in something like a zipper. Perhaps I just don't have enough money to afford the ones you're talking about? End closing have worked well enough for me, however, I'm not talking about taking them down 30 ft. Just for floating around, perhaps roughly, after a canoe tips in a river.

[@jayfigg7981]

Just LOVE your videos! But after all that excitement and clamor, I am going to have to watch the Portland riot videos to bring some calm to my life.

[@darenlindley]

I have been thinking about putting a 12V bilge pump in my boat to help in such a situation. Do you think that's feasible? You mentioned that your electronics drowned. Is there a way to seal the battery box without creating the danger of an explosion with the hydrogen that is created by the battery? BTW. Read the Dingy Cruising Companion! Way to go! That was fantastic! So many excellent tips and an stories! I highly recommend it. The stuff on Anchoring was worth the whole book! But so much more!

[@RogerRoving]

Hi Daren. I have sealed my battery box but it is opened every day (to recharge things overnight. No explosions yet...

[@papajeff5486]

Well, damn, okay then, you told the tale, good for you good for us, thank God. Texas

[@evan1188]

man this is so different to how i sail lol its so relaxing

[@broxmouth]

Wonderful videos. what exactly is your boat? dimensions, type, maker etc. Or have I missed the video on that topic?

[@timo.saarinen]

She is an Ilur designed by François Vivier, a fine boat.

[@fishmut]

I see many adopt those airbags for floatation should things go pear shaped , I built a 12 ft skiff 14 years ago and my seats are solid ply box to shape of fitting nicely to the hull and is filled with styrofoam, this eliminates extra stuff-in the boat ie airbags , maybe something to consider if building a sailor weekender etc not a fan of the spray filler foam but to each there own , not only that your not likely to forget to put them (airbags) in for the trip , just a thought. 👍

[@infomax2008]

Thank you very much for sharing. Is there a good recipe for avoiding capsize? Reef early base on wind speed. Pick the right angle to the wind. Strom sails, last drop all sails and just motor. Is this all? BTW, I got the new book The Dinghy Cruising Companion. Is this discussed in the book? I have not finished the book yet.

[@ArthurPopeye]

It's nice to see how you keep your battery. Have you ever thought of an autopilot like ST1000 so that you can eat more easily for example?

[@RogerRoving]

I’d feel vulnerable with an automatic pilot, actually. The helm impeder does me well enough. R

[@ArthurPopeye]

@@RogerRoving thanks for the answer.

[@googlecontrolled]

Other lesson to learn, bearing in mind all dinghy's have the potential to capsize. Wear a life jacket! Did the big rock block the wind too but when fully in the gap it would be accelerated.Would it have been better to stay with the rock well to port side and go around out of the turbulent wind flow instead of through like the big boats?

[@RogerRoving]

Michael Parkinson The most important thing is to be able to swim back to the boat, I would say. In this particular capsize I was not wearing a buoyancy aid. But I very often do so. I never wear a life jacket however and certainly not a self inflating one - as I believe they kill you.

[@ferguswalker7345]

@@RogerRoving is this on the basis that they snag or trap you under the hull if it lands on you? A life jacket will keep you face up, a very important difference for an unconscious wearer

[@EscapeePrisoner]

Hey Roger. Are you recharging that battery at sea? How? Or is it only getting a charge while you are back on land?

[@Tyr-not-mars]

Hello Roger ,wow great adventures. Certainly building a dinghy ..May I ask why you chose the Ilur dinghy??

[@RogerRoving]

The Ilur is very capacious and stable. But also I needed an unusual project as I was writing a monthly column for Dinghy Sailing Magazine at the time.

[@johnvititoe6051]

Roger, sorry for your unfortunate dousing, but you made a very entertaining and educational video from it so all’s well that ends well, eh?

[@unclejake154]

thanks!

[@thepacotheas]

Hello Roger and thanks a lot for your so interesting vidéo. I want to buy an Ilur (we live close to La Rochelle), can I ask you what are the limit of wind and waves for the Ilur, I mean at 5 bft in open sea and 2 reefs, can you manage the boat ? Thanks again

[@steelem422]

What you second navigation source?

[@travelbywater9378]

In Canada, for canoe tripping we use these www.mec.ca/en/product/5037-079/Bad-Hass-Adjustable-Barrel-Harness. If the Link doesn't work you can Google "Bad Hass Adjustable Barrel Harness". They will absolutely keep your gear dry and they have the added benefit of keeping bears out of your food (bears can't bite through them). I'm sure you could order them online. I use a mix of the second roll up style you demonstrated and the barrels, depending on the importance of the gear inside, both for my dinghy tripping and canoe tripping.

[@ian17701]

Question: why don’t you have a traveller for your main sheet? Looks like it could be potentially be quite problematic in heavy winds/seas the way you manually clip it in and out.

[@RogerRoving]

There are pros and cons. The main advantage is simplicity.

[@StellarSailor]

Did you manage to right the boat without external help? Just out of curiosity as I’m looking at a very smiler boat!

[@RogerRoving]

Oh yes. The Ilur can be righted very easily. Lots of bailing though...

[@robmarykunzig5533]

Hello Roger, hope this note finds you well!! If you could, please tell me what are the containers on each side of your battery box? If they are ballast as I suspect, how much does each weigh? I'm hoping to duplicate your world... over here in mine. Sussex... Lewes... Delaware USA - stay well Capitain

[@RogerRoving]

Hi. They’re old navy flare containers. They are waterproof and contain tools and other gear. R

[@palmtemple]

Could you turn those birds down a tad. Is it mating season in the country side?

[@jquest43]

They are in porking season. He spritzes them with a Hasbro super soaker but it just turns into an avian orgy!( A.O.)

[@BretLandrith]

Capsize is the fear that keeps me from cruising in my 18 foot un-decked sailboat, a Thistle (an enlarged copy of Uffa Fox's classic International 14s with almost as much extra sail area). The fear is probably largely misplaced and waterproof bags providing additional buoyancy are what I hope will increase the safety margin. Your video is certainly answering a lot of issues! Thanks.

[@radioboys8986]

hello few years ago cruised the North Channel in a wood Thistle (had a grand time ) solo sailed the boat for 12 years Lake St. Clair and the Detroit river only capsized once (my fault) few things greatly help two sets of reef points on the main, a half size jib, and a Snipe main that also had reef points, also you can really load down a Thistle that and the cut down sail area she becomes much more docile have switched to a Wayfarer mostly because the Thistle became to much to handle solo at the hoist

[@MinSredMash]

Go to a lake on a warm day and capsize it immediately. Knowing the results and the correct response will change everything.

[@pinemartenemily9482]

If you're really worried, stick a float at the top of your mast (or, if it's a small boat, a gallon bottle is a cheap alternative). The bouyancy of even a small float is magnified because of the distance from the centre, and stops the boat going right over. Of course you don't want that if you're racing, but for cruising it's great for peace of mind.

[@Eastie_]

Party on ole chap.

[@TomTremayne]

I wish I understood why a rope catching, with more slack than it had had, can make a boat capsize?

[@RogerRoving]

It held the main sheet in, not allowing the sail to pay out

[@wolfthequarrelsome504]

A capsize in a dinghy is a potentially life threatening situation.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Any water over 6" deep can be life threatening. Rather than state the obvious...you might consider some words of support, encouragement or no comment at all.

[@RogerRoving]

Life is a life threatening situation. No one survives. The point is, what do you do with your time while you have it?

[@DE-dx7yy]

No PFD on when you sail alone?

[@jquest43]

He has a dolphin whisle,( ultrasound),it calls the rescue dolphins.

[@robray111]

I linger here because you look so darn familiar. Are you sir, Brendan Gleeson's secret twin?

[@RogerRoving]

He does look rather like me. Except rather fatter!

[@kxd2591]

It is surprising the clarity one can obtain AFTER the mishap. Would we could all see the possible outcomes BEFORE said mishap. But without mishap, personal or otherwise, where would come wisdom?

[@wailinburnin]

Hey Roger, I did a huge ocean trip single handed in a 20 boat (decked, with lead fin). Check out my channel, a video plays as soon as the page opens, you’ll get a laugh, it’s a short rowing adventure in the tender. Love your concept of dingy cruising. Great videos you have here, fair winds, mate.

[@mearcat74]

you should not have any excuses it happens

[@ushoys]

The best way to avoid open sea capsizes is to stick to the bucolic upper reaches of the River Thames.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

OMGoodness . I am beginning to understand why many KZbin creators are disabling all comments.

[@hendrikarqitekt6286]

ortlieb is for biking

[@user-fo3pr3oq5j]

这条船没有风的时候可以用

[@user-fo3pr3oq5j]

没有风的时候能用浆滑动吗？

[@hendrikarqitekt6286]

go to parties: sleep them out!

[@YawehthedragondogofEL]

Reefing is overrated.