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grahn
67 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Jun 2008 : 10:16:55
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Found the following on web, sad for the family concerned.
"The Stratos has many features that make it safe and fun to use for family day cruising. The Stratos has a unique system called SailSafe, which floods and self-drains tanks in the sides to help recover and keep the dinghy stable immediately after a capsize. There have been questions over the safety of the shrouds and trapeze lines when a boy drowned after he was caught in a trapeze line under a turtled Stratos in Hong Kong".
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bubble
51 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2008 : 11:13:39
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hi
I always sail with an 'airbag'' on the top of the mast, it looks poxy but I have done capsize drills at rutland water with it on and walked out on the horizontal mast, only stopping 1/3 of the way, due to the mast bending, it ain't never going over with the airbag on. inversion with family on board would be a disaster. I have had a boat [12' Thames turtle] that inverted, ain't never going there again, if i can help it,
the mainsail has a float fitted, I have had mine removed and always fly a crewsaver mast float instead, i have used a 12" fender but the airbag is much more powerful and sits there like a marker buoy when in-use, in water
neill, cambridge |
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neilgbj
147 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2008 : 11:47:22
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I think if sailing with youngsters Neills appraoch is exactly right.......as they get older it is a matter of managing the risk and how you want to sail (of course when they are old enough they won't even consider adding anything to the boat which appears 'uncool' and just want to sail as fast as possible all the time!). We have turtled our boat (and other types !) but when we have we have really been pushing it to its limits. I think you will find that in the incident you mention the young crew tried to climb over the gunwale which can speed up inversion. If you are'nt using any rigging (trapeze wires) then its best to remove it and always stow loose ropes. The recommended method on capsize of swimming to the rear and then one on the centreboard asap prevents most serious incidents. The RYA have done considerable research into this and as someone who drives safety boats at our youth sailing it is something I am very conscious of and when sailnig with my family we always do a talk through 'safety drill', particualrly if going offshore.....
When sailed within its limits the Stratos is an extremely safe boat and will manage quite severe conditions and you will find it will really look after you and your family. I started mine off when they were young in an Enterprise and wish now I would have had something like a Stratos !
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Pete1
27 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2008 : 15:31:41
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This is a tragic accident but nothing to do with the design of the boat/shrouds/trapeze lines. "Ropes on boats should be banned as they are inherently dangerous" - Daily Mail ???
When dinghies go over there is always a mass of sails and ropes to get out of the way. The Stratos turtles far less readily than most boats.
A healthy reminder though to do capsize drill and instruct everyone on board what to do and what NOT to do in the event of a capsize.
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Shocked to read this
