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PatShaw
6 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Jul 2002 : 12:59:57
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As I am relatively new to sailing and have been looking for a large stable boat to improve my skills without going swimming all the time. (Not that I mind getting wet, I would just rather sail the boat than fight it.) The Stratos looks like it fits the bill very nicely and seems to be an ideal choice for family sailing.
However I am becomming concerned by the number of people looking at mast head boauyancy in order to prevent the boat from turning upside down.
As you lot actually have Laser Stratos I figured I would ask you the question.
How prone is the boat to capsizing in the first place and secondly turning turtle?
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JosEpema
4 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2002 : 15:19:33
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Pat,
The Stratos Keel version should be just what you are looking for. However hard I tried the Stratos Keel will not capsize. The righting moment is so high that even in a downwind wipe-out the boat will right it self after heeling about 60 degrees. A centerboard boat would have capsized under these circumstances. So the Stratos Keel is although nearly as quick as the centerboardversion much more forgiving and more suitable for high wind sailing.
I belief that if you managed to capsize the keel version it will not go turtle because of the 100kg bulb under the keel, giving so much righting moment. Just make sure you secure the keel with the standard strap.
For family sailing the keel is also an advantage because of the extra stability.
You can easily launch the Stratos Keel from a beach, as I do, because the keel adds, when hoisted, just 15 centimeters of draft.
Good luck, with your decision.
Jos |
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BrianPearson
22 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2002 : 19:40:28
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Hi Pat
I have a Stratos Keel and she is superb. So much confidence when sailing in strong winds(force 5+). I am sure I would have capsized four or five times by now in a centreboard boat. If you make a mistake, as she heels the keel kicks in, and gives more time to recover. The Stratos keel is a really special boat. We sail happy from Keyhaven down to Yarmouth, over to Lymington and back to Keyhaven, often in building breezes with no worry or concern about capsizing. In fact we push the boat much harder than we would if she was a centreboard boat.
Regards
Brian Pearson
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PatShaw
6 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2002 : 13:13:48
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Very encouraged by the reports on the Keel version however I have set my heart on a center-board boat.
Anyone got one that could tell me about its overall stability which I suspect is very good and additionally how prone are they to turning turtle?
Cheers!
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DougRivers
63 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2002 : 15:26:48
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We have a centreboard version and have capsized a couple of times gybing with the gennaker up in a lot of wind. The boat has not turned turtle although I have always been very quick to get one of the crew onto the centreboard. At a recent Stratos event there were a number of capsizes but I can't recall seeing a total inversion. Generally the boats are very well mannered and I'm sure will fit the bill well.
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SimonMaycock
2 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2002 : 00:02:40
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Hi Pat,
I Have a centre board version and have managed to go turtle once when my inexperienced crew tried to push themselves out of the water using the boom and mast: they didn't rise the boat turned. No problem getting it back upright as I lent on the gunwhale it rotated upwards.
regards,
Simon |
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KevinL
16 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2002 : 20:44:40
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Well, we have 14 centreboard version Stratos and we are working them hard. Needless to say we have had a lot of experience with capsizes.
As mentioned, the boat will turtle if inexperienced crew try to climb up towards the gunwale. We have quite a bit of a problem with the centreboards being loose (not really satisfied with the simple compressed hosepipe grip). So, we do occasionally get inversions with no centreboard. In that case standing on the gunwale ridge will not bring the boat up. You really have to dive under and push the c/board up. Problem with the nice Stratos design is there is a very small air pocket underneath, if any. Solution is to get one crew to heel the boat as much as possible by standing on the gunwale. The other crew then goes under from the other side, and the slight heel does provide a big enough air pocket to work under the upturned boat to get the centreboard up.
As for standard capsize recovery, we notice it comes up quite easily, but gets two thirds up, and then if the crew is not "hand-over-hand" on the jibsheet it does have a tendency to go back over.
The biggest problem is not the recovery, its getting back in. Students find it a very high freeboard and always tend to swim to the transom to get in, which of course turns the boat stern to wind and it sails off, often at some speed. Generally, however, they do seem quite stable and harder top capsise than other dinghies. |
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KevinL
16 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2002 : 09:08:42
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AND remember its actually better not to use the jibsheet, especially in the "final moments" of recovery as the pulled tight jib will make the boat sail away... better to use the recovery rope found under the gunwale
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Turtle, how prone really?
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