capsize reason

Bernard Johnson (slithytove@earthlink.net)
Sat, 10 Apr 1999 09:17:13 -0700


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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I'm sorry that my communication was so brief yesterday. I should have
realized the appalling pictures that could arise from such a minimal
statement. I didn't want to go into a long, rambling tale, and clog up
everybody's mailbox.
To put everyone's mind at ease, the whole thing started when I
unexpectedly hit bottom, in a place normally deep enough (6-10 ft.), and
ironically the chain of events was set in motion because I had been very
careful to lash my keel in the down position. This was no epic situation
with gale force winds and mountainous seas, but nevertheless the end
result was myself soaked through (having been dumped in the water),
standing on the leeward side of the breakwater in a strong cold wind,
and hoping that someone would see me and initiaite a rescue before
hypothermia set in. I also received a periodic dousing as the waves were
breaking over the top of the breakwater. However I digress.... The main
reason the boat went over was because the keel was now in the UP
position. (Naturally I pulled it up to try and get myself out of the
embarrassing situation I had got myself into). I have mentally replayed
the episode very carefully, and have cleared myself of wrongdoing and/or
gross stupidity in the court of my own mind. The crucial event that set
course for disaster was the failure of my motor to provide any
propulsion (the reason for which I have still to figure out, but it
appeared to be stuck in neutral, though the position of the gear lever
appeared to be in the drive position)......the prop was spinning but the
boat didn't move.
I have gone on longer than I meant to. I thank everyone for their
kind responses. I am going to write an exhaustive account of the whole
sorry affair mainly for my own use (before time grinds off the jagged
edges of my recollection). I will be more than happy to send a copy to
anyone who would like to read this comedy (tragedy?) of errors.

Bernie Johnson
#2357, "Humbug"
Santa Paula, CA.