New Owner -- Capsizing & Stability Question

[bdkjones]

Hi Everyone,

New owner here. I'm coming from 14 years of sailing 28' - 32' boats, so I'm not used to the handling characteristics of the smaller size yet. It's definitely an art. I have two questions:


Question 1: Provided that the boat is sailed correctly, how easy is it to capsize?


Q1 details: Most sailboats have a "point of stability," which means that they'll start to heel very fast, but once you get the rail right above the water they'll settle in and won't go over much farther without a massive gust. Is this true of the daysailer, or will she pretty much keep heeling quickly until I'm swimming? I know that there's no substitute for personal experience, but I've got a brand new outboard on the transom that I'd very much like to keep dry, so I haven't pressed her too hard.

I also know that the answer depends largely on how she's sailed. I'm a very competent sailor and I never let the main sheet out of my hand. I'm just trying to get a feel for her limits.


Question 2: Has anyone added weight to the bottom of the centerboard in order to improve the boat's righting motion?


Q2 Details: I realize that the crew is the primary ballast on a boat this size. I also realize that the added weight will reduce speed just slightly -- that's fine, I'm not a racer. I'm just curious if anyone's put some lead in the bottom of the centerboard to make the boat a little more stiff in a good breeze.


Thanks for the help! I love the new boat -- especially the lines. She's just beautifully designed and looks almost as good on a trailer as she does in the water!

-Bryan Jones

[Bob Hunkins]

The Day Sailer is not that easy to capcise assuming you sail it correctly. If you heel it over it tends to round up. In big winds it will capcize, and they are tough to get back up, often they will turtle or dig their masts into the ground, depending on the depth.

It is not legal to add weight to the centerboard. The maximum weight of the centerboard is 25 lbs, made of wood/fiberglass or fiberglass.

[algonquin]

Generally your DS will not capsize as long as you are an attentive skipper. I also have most of my experience on larger and heavier boats and was quite surprised the first time I let go of the tiller on my DS. I haven’t heard to much about weighting the centerboard. I do not class race and usually sail alone so I have added a 50 pound bag of sand ballast just aft of the mast step. It does make a difference in handling and adds stability to the boat feel. I suppose the added weight effects boat speed some but really the added weight allows you to really get up to speed with a degree of comfort in knowing that it is unlikely you will suffer a knock down. The sand bag forms to the hull shape and sits there even when under heavy heel. I also plan to mount a battery just forward of the mast step to add further ballast and provide power for on board electrics. I use my DS primarily for cruising, fishing, and a little back water exploration. The extra ballast makes a difference. Brad

[albanysailer]

I'm pretty new to sailing in general and was very concerned with capsizing when I first got the DS. After a full season of sailing now, I am quite confident, and comfortable with my DS II. My wife and I have pushed our comfort level and gotten close to having the rail in the water with no problem. We have sailed now in winds of about 20knts. with full sails and its been ok, we eventually dropped the jib, mostly due to arm fatigue!

Like Brad said, if you are attentive you shouldn't have a problem. Other than really strong gusts I haven't had it heel up quickly. Also, like Brad we have mounted a battery in front of the mast step for our motor, which has the added effect of extra ballast and stability.

Happy sailing! -Bill

[shawn]

unlike a boat with a keel that will reach a point where the wind spills off the sails and it won't go over any more, a centerboard boat will reach a point where there is no more righting moment and it's inevitable that it's going over. But as centerboard boats go the Daysailer is pretty forgiving. It is relatively wide and not overcanvassed so you do get some warning. The boat handles best when sailed flat or with only a small amount of heel. The thing to do is once you are constantly heeled over and feathering the wind, reef if you can or try sailing a different day. As was mentioned earlier, you'll get more comfortable with the boat every time you go out. I also had larger boats but the Daysailer has been alot more fun to sail.

Shawn
DS II 10542