Tim H16 wrote:
Jerome,
Several years ago when I had a 14Turbo, I was sailing across St. Andrews Pass from Alligator Point toward Shell Island and the boat kept getting lower in the water. About a third of the way across, I realized that I had forgot to put in both of my drain plugs and so I tried to turn around to go back. The next thing I know the stern went under water and the bows were pointing straight up and then the wind hit my vinyl tramp and continued the reverse cartwheel until it was turtled (that boat did not have a Bob and I don't know if it would have made a difference with water in the hulls).
After putting the plugs in, I was not able to get the boat to stay on it's side since everytime I tried to upright it, the water in the hulls would either rush forward or aft causing it to rotate upwards or downwards.
A PWC came by to help and I attached a line to my dolphin striker while the bows were pointing upward and he was able to pull me forward enough so the boat leveled off and I continued sailing over to Shell Island where I beached it and drained the hulls.
Fortunately while I was turtled, the tide was coming in so I wasn't drifting out the Pass toward Mexico. The main thing I learned from this is to always check your drain plugs.
A buddy of mine was jetskiing in the pass, let a friend ride it (Aftermarket Standup Hull $$$$$$). Kid lost it and the ski sunk (They are not suppose to totally sink), James searched for it for a few days but being in the pass he knew it was a lost cause....... About 4-6 months later some divers found it, I believe near the jetty at the mouth of the pass.... It was beat up but in pretty good shape!.
Yah, I know, off topic!