Dr. Crash

The lake was packed and boats everywhere so I made a pass near the sandbar when a guy pulling kids on a tube stopped in front of me, pushing me in closer to the parked boats.

So I pointed into the wind and held for a bit... but slowly being blown back towards the boats I felt uneasy about my predicament.

As soon as I was thinking about jumping off and taking a break the wind shifted , launched the boat into action swinging around and  BAMMMM!!!!!!!!

Remember to unhook the trap line !

During a small puff the windward hull lifted and the unprepared crew slid across the boat, resulting in a decrease in righting moment, which increased healing, and the crew's position to leeward, which decreased righting moment and increased healing and.... It finally became necessary to abandon ship.

First time racing the new boat with a new crew. I feel pretty lucky to come out in one piece. 

 

In iceboating it's not how far you have got go before you hit the water, it's a question of how much it will hurt when you do. Taken February 2011 on Mecox Bay, Southampton,New York. Helmets are crucial in surviving to sail another day.

This photo was taken during the October 2009 Whitebread Regatta, hosted by the Peconic Bay Sailing Association in New Suffolk, New York and was sailed in winds up to 30kts. I counted to 130 Mississippi before this Caprie 22, Thing O' Beauty, sailing cruising division righted it's self approximately 1 mile before the finish line of the 38 mile long race. She went on to finish 6th in her class.  Although very wet and cold none of the crew were injured.

Fun and games @ Leetes Island, Guilford, Ct. on a no-wind day= crash a Sunfish with ~15 junior sailing students.

A photo of me, frustrated, trying to right my Laser in Great South Bay, Long Island.  My mast was stuck in a good four feet in thick, black mud, and it took nearly 20 minutes to get right-side-up. Thankfully, no damage was suffered except for a slightly bent lower section, and I enjoyed a fantastic day of Laser racing with other members of the JSA of LIS.

Lost spinnaker during the Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Regatta in New York Harbor

25+ knots of wind...first big regatta....a big bay broach in San Francisco

This young crew managed to repair the Main Halyard and right their yacht in under two minutes......they were powered up and racing - superb seamanship.

Wilkins@gem.co.za ......Trevor Wilkins Photography

Coming to the mark, the crew started moving to the back of the boat and her foot slipped. This is the third to last shot in a 10 shot sequence but this is the best one because the skipper manages to catch her after she skips out of the water. He didn't miss a beat and she was back on the boat and sorted out before it was time to raise the chute.

Photo by Sara Proctor, www.sailfastphoto.com

Photo by Sara Proctor, www.sailfastphoto.com

Photo by Sara Proctor, www.sailfastphoto.com

Flash, broaching to windward after completing the Three Tree Point Yacht Club 2009 Duwamish Head race, part of the Puget Sound South Sound Winter Series.