RE: My turtle tale (reposted by request)

From: Sayer, Chris (ChrisSayer@StratfordGroup.com)
Date: Tue Feb 01 2000 - 11:52:51 PST


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        West Wight Potter Mailing List maintainer
                dfarrell@ridgecrest.ca.us
           List hosted by www.tscnet.com
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The fact that a 500 lb boat with its centerboard up can be rolled by placing
250 lbs on its rail should not raise questions about the boat's stability
and safety. Show me a boat that can't be rolled, I'll show you a boat that
can't be sailed.

Chris Sayer
P15, #2380, Akala
San Jose, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Goller [mailto:gollerj@home.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2000 11:31 AM
To: West Wight Potter Mailing List
Subject: My turtle tale (reposted by request)

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        West Wight Potter Mailing List maintainer
                dfarrell@ridgecrest.ca.us
           List hosted by www.tscnet.com
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I have had enough requests to re-post my "turtle tale", that I will
repost it here. (Sorry to those of you who already read it last summer)
I have added some new comments below.
---------------------------------------
Original Post date: June 8, 1999

Re posting:

Is there anyone out there who can give advice to the newest
owner of a Potter 15?

Here is my tale:

Four years ago when I first became interested in sailing, I looked at a
number of small sailboats that I thought would meet my needs. It was
clear for the beginning, that the Potter 15 was the best boat for me.
I read every bit of literature I could find from International Marine
and all the sailing magazines. The more I read, the more convinced I
became. Finally, when International Marine sent me the videotape, that
sealed it for me - I had to have a Potter 15 !

      Unfortunately, when I went to look for a used Potter, I could not
find ANY close to my local region (Northern Ohio on Lake Erie) I was
willing to drive to another state, and kept checking the Internet and
out of state newspapers, but none were to be found. The new Potters
from the factory were just out of my financial range at the time, and
were not an option.

       After waiting almost 2/3 of the sailing season with no luck
locating a Potter, I finally gave in and bought a Com-Pac 16 that
became available, but knew that someday I would be a Potter owner.

       After four years of sailing the Com-Pac, I had all but
given up on sailing. The Com-Pac was slow, sluggish and had a
terrible side slip problem (even the manufacturer realized this and
added a centerboard to the newer models). The boat was well built and
heavy (felt VERY stable), but it would not point well, and never
seemed to go the direction I intended. The side slippage problem made
for really unenjoyable sailing. In addition, the shoal draft keel at
18" kept getting stuck when I would try to explore interesting little
coves or beach the craft. I was ready to quit sailing and bought a
powerboat.

       Two years ago we moved to Charleston, South Carolina. Water
everywhere! Between the Harbor, the rivers, the ocean, the lakes, and
the Inter coastal Waterway, my interest in sailing reawakened, but the
Com-Pac was still a poor performer even here.

       Not long ago, I learned quite by accident that a fellow worker
had a Potter 15 for sale at a great price. 1994 model year, well cared
for, loaded with options. I discussed it with my wife, and even
though finances are tight now, she lovingly agreed to let me buy it and
fulfill a longtime dream of being a Potter owner. We decided to
take a chance and buy the Potter first, with the hope of selling the
Com-Pac later.

      Last Friday I picked up my beautiful "new" Potter 15.
She was so well cared for that she looked like she rolled right off
the showroom floor! I took her home, read the owner's manual cover to
cover, and all related literature that came with the boat. Put her in
my driveway, put the sails up and familiarized myself with the
operation of all parts. I christened her "AT LONG LAST".

      The next day I took her to my favorite marina here, a public
saltwater dock on the Charleston Harbor. Launching the boat was easy.
I parked the car and walked back to the dock. Untied my bow line
and stepped aboard the boat on the bow. Immediately, something
did not feel right, I had my weight on the port side over the cabin at
the toe rail, balancing on the mast, when suddenly the boat rolled
over and capsized, and went turtle. The tide was swift , the wind
was strong, and it kept driving the boat into the dock, banging with
a sickening thud each time. The sails, stays, sheets all were
tangled and caught every which way on the dock, pilings, dock cleats and
everything else they could come in contact with. With help, I finally
righted her and got her aboard the trailer (not an easy task).

      Wet and shaken, I tallied my losses: Pocket Electronic
Organizer $250, Cell Phone($ ??), Electric Garage door opener on my key
ring $35, CD Player/Boom Box $200, Wallet and all contents (cards
and pictures) soaked with saltwater, Outboard motor totally saltwater
immersed $500. All gear and personal possession were soaked
with saltwater.

       When I got the Potter out I inspected it. Remarkably, the
Mast, sails and stays all seemed OK, other than a lot of Bottom muck
that they raked up. Then I got to the hull and my heart sank.
Along the starboard bow low in the waterline was a new, big
crack in the hull. Other places showed major chips in the
Gel-coat. I never even got to sail her!

     I talked to a Marine hull fiberglass expert who says he can repair
her hull for about $500. Unfortunately the damage my heart and soul
took was much greater. At that moment I lost confidence in the
stability of the boat.

     I reconstructed the events which led up to the capsize and realized
that I had not yet put down the keel. I realize that probably made a
difference in the stability (i.e. higher center of gravity).

      Here is where I would like to get some advice/help from you all:
What is the truth about the Potter? Is it really as stable as
advertised? Can anyone please answer the following questions:

1) Have you ever capsized your Potter (or come close), and what were the
circumstances that led up to it?

2) Once the keel is down, will I be able to walk forward to tend to the
jib etc. or is this a bad idea? (I weigh about 250 lb.). If you
can't walk forward, how do you tend to anchor, jib etc.?

3) If you can walk forward, is there a special way to place
feet and weight to prevent capsize?

4) What parts of the cabin are strong enough to bear the
weight of standing on them? (Cabin rook, sliding cover to
cabin opening?)

Any experiences you could share with me would be helpful. I still
want to believe in the Potter, but my confidence is shaken.

Thanks

Jeff Goller

gollerj@home.com

----------------------------------------

I got tons of great advice in response to this posting about using
common sense and the Potter.

I have NEVER had a problem since.

Here is what I learned from all of my friends on the list:

1) The Potter 15 CAN Turtle - do not believe those who say it can't

2) Always keep the keel down, I keep it cleated down now

3) Add some ballast

4) NEVER go forward on the deck. I don't care what ANYONE on this list
says - the combination of having the keel up and going forward is what
caused my turtle - I will never go forward under sail again. I rigged a
jib downhaul and have eliminated any need to go forward.

5) Always remember that you are a huge part of the boat's weight, and
think before you shift position

6) NEVER cleat the main sheet, you are asking for a blow over by a
gust, always hold it in your hand, where you can drop it if a sudden
gust comes up

7) Always keep the companionway hatch closed and locked in case of a
knockdown

8)Seriously consider adding extra Flotation (I did)

9) Wear your damn PFD from the time you get on the boat - I didn't have
mine on when I turtled. I was only "at the dock" and never put it on
until I was "really sailing"
I almost drowned.

All in all, the P-15 is a great boat, and I love mine. Yet, always
remember it is a sailing dingy. Never get too carried away by the
enthusaism of those on the list here by how "safe" she is. She is safer
than most, less so than others. Stupidity and bad weather can sink the
safest boat in the world.

I love my Potter and will never sell it, yet I have new respect for her
limitations. As for those people who write stories about sailing her
from California to Hawaii, they are either VERY lucky or have a death
wish. There is NO 15 foot boat I would ever do that in!

Enjoy your new Potters, but don't leave common sense at home when you go
sailing. In the Potter, you've got a GREAT boat, but it can be turtled.

Jeff Goller
P-15 # 2068 "At Long Last"
Charleston, SC

-- 
"There are things a man will tell his bartender, that he would never
tell his physician..." Quoted from Dr. Mark Piper



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