Quote:
Originally Posted by codprawn
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/6326795.stm
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-ne...970&m=2&y=2007
A yacht has capsized and 4 people rescued - another person died. The yacht is said to have lost her keel after hitting an obstruction. I wonder if it could be one of those containers - it's not far away from the Napoli.
Must have been a terrible experience for the crew - 4am and suddenly upside down. They got into a liferaft and fired off some flares which were lucky to be spotted that time of night!!!
It is worrying just how many yachts you read of these days that lose their keels - shows the problems of modern design and construction.
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Could easily be one of those containers COdders! I did not keep up with news on Napoli but how many containers are missing. This is frequent occurrance in Bay of Biscay due to weather there.
The Keels on yachts these days are using many modern techniques and composite materials etc which are great but do not take an impact like the old Skegs and Nichelson type of Hull.
The modern (last 25 years) Fin Keel or similar has also a separate Rudder and the latter is much more exposed to damage than the fin keel itself.
WIthout going into much detail, I sem to recall Simon le Bon loosing the entire Kel which sheered off each bolt whatever he hit, they capsized and were all lifted off an upturned hull.
I also recall that at least 4 of the Yachts that were lost in that ill fated Fastnet Race were a "recent at that time 25 perhaps 30 years ago" ROn Holland Design and made of Kevlar which was new composite material at that time. couldnt take the strain.
A skeg Keel which starts at the bow and runs to the full stern of the boat and encompases the rudder post and rudder is the most reliable. It also glides over Nets ETC. I wouldnt let it decide th eboat I buy but it does help to know about what sort of keel and hull one has under them.
White Noise
