Nomad has these two huge lazarattes which we kind of like. They open the entire stern for access to equipment, storage and the engine. They even lead into the main cabin through the companionway steps. Except...
I just read a story about a boat that broached too and flopped on its side. Not a good thing but normally not a tragic thing either. But in this case the leeward lazaratte popped open, the sea flooded in, and the boat sank in 700 feet of water. Ouch.
We have been sailing with the lazarattes unlocked and easily opened, but not anymore. Before Nomad leaves the dock again we will have some kind of clip to hold them shut.
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There was a race on the lake last weekend. The wind was blowing pretty hard and a gust caught friend's boat (that was in the lead at that moment and pushing hard) which caused him to round up. Not unusual, but there was another boat to windward that was closing on him. That captain didn't hear the warning call and couldn't see the first boat behind his jib...crunch. Not a lot of damage was done, but the boats didn't come off unscathed either. In MotogGP they would call it a "racing incident" even though it took both boats out of the race. In sailing there is all kinds of debate as to who was at fault. The windward, closing boat would normally be the "give-way" boat, but the lead boat pushed to hard, lost control, and swung directly up and into a boat that was holding its course.
Anyway, it all seems like a good reason for cruisers to be cruisers and not be racers.
A Sad Goodbye
2 weeks ago