In static conditions - no wind, smooth water, no one on board - we once
tested a P14 gunter rig and a P15 sloop by pulling their masts all the way
down to horizontal. As I recall, both boats righted themselves without
taking on water. I think this is what the manufacturer means by
"self-righting." With wind and seas and people on board, the results can be
quite different.
When Pottering about in sheltered, shallow water with light winds, I leave
my centerboard down but unsecured, so it can bounce off the bottom, and I
may have my hatch open so I can reach things inside. But when I'm on open
water and the wind and waves are starting to get "interesting," I tie down
the centerboard and secure the cabin hatch. I use a rubber tiedown strap so
it will have some give if the board hits something. I don't want more than
one passenger under such conditions. I'm usually singlehanded.
Harry Gordon
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA
Richard Karam wrote:
>My P-15 is much more stable than an open dinghy. All of my previous
>dinghies could be capsized with the centerboard down. The 100 pound
>centerboard on the later model P-15's is more like a keel in that it gives
>the boat so much stability that the manufacturer says that it can't be
>capsized with the centerboard down. I believe them. When you have this kind
>of confidence in your boat with the centerboard secured down, it is foolish
>not to take advantage of this security. The few of us that have turned the
>boat turtle have all accomplished this feat with the an unsecured centerboard
>and a bunch of other problems.