Technical topics, gear discussion, maintenance tips, safety, and inquiries
observation on flooding the cockpit
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Dick Posts: 423
7 days ago
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Hi all, an observation:
There is always concern about getting pooped. And, one might make a case for canoe sterns being more vulnerable as there is less reserve buoyancy so the stern might not rise to get above a following wave as a wider stern would. In numerous miles in boisterous conditions and large seas from the stern, Alchemy (a Valiant 42) has never taken a drop of water into the cockpit from the stern. But it has happened twice in my memory that we have had substantial (~~70+% filled) water flood the cockpit. Both times we were going fast on a beam-ish reach in moderate winds and swell and things lined up so we rolled into a wave which came sweeping down the leeward deck pretty much filling the cockpit.
I now consider this event statistically likely in those sailing conditions. Had we not had a seat-level bridgedeck, significant water would have sluiced below decks making for a big salty mess, but not anything dangerous. With the bridgedeck, the foot well was filled and we received a nice demo of the time it takes for the water to drain out. No water found its way below.
As an under-way habit all cockpit lockers are secured with a clip and, the latch being secured also compresses the gasket a bit.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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