https://forums.oceancruisingclub.org/messages.aspx?TopicID=2340 OCC Forums - Technical, Gear, and Maintenance - observation on flooding the cockpit - Messages en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Jitbit AspNetForum Mon, 03 Nov 2025 14:16:02 GMT Mon, 03 Nov 2025 14:16:02 GMT https://forums.oceancruisingclub.org/messages.aspx?TopicID=2340 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]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2025 14:16:02 GMT