[bolger] Re: Martha Jane knockdowns
Hello Guys
From my analysis of this thread I'd like to add a thought:
The description of the last stages of the knockdown sound awfully like the
effect of a shift of something inside the boat. The possibilities raised
already and discounted have been the ballast and gear/stuff inside.
A third possibility could be water, and the description sounds very much
like a water "free surface" effect to my untrained beak. Perhaps water
entered through a ventilator. I'm not sure where they are on the MJ but if
they follow PCB's usual habit they'll be in the bow . If she was knocked
down and the particular circumstamces put the bow under then enough water
may have got in to transform a knockdown to a roll-over.
Regards - Foster
From my analysis of this thread I'd like to add a thought:
The description of the last stages of the knockdown sound awfully like the
effect of a shift of something inside the boat. The possibilities raised
already and discounted have been the ballast and gear/stuff inside.
A third possibility could be water, and the description sounds very much
like a water "free surface" effect to my untrained beak. Perhaps water
entered through a ventilator. I'm not sure where they are on the MJ but if
they follow PCB's usual habit they'll be in the bow . If she was knocked
down and the particular circumstamces put the bow under then enough water
may have got in to transform a knockdown to a roll-over.
Regards - Foster
> I know of six different mjs being knocked down - Two that
> self righted pretty
> easily. I have talked with the owners of seven mjs in total -
> the seventh is
> a person I talked with 12 years ago - who had just finished
> his boat and I
> lost track of him. Mike O'Brien once told me about another mj
> which he knew
> of which was caught in a storm and knocked down repeatedly
> but self righted
> every time - also full of gear - perhaps adding some ballast.
>
> One of those boats had a companionway which was built wider
> than shown in the
> plans - that builder told me that in his case when laying
> flat the water came
> in thru the oversized companionway - His "warning" was to keep the
> companionway narrow - as shown in the plans.
>
In a message dated 3/7/2000 4:20:57 AM Eastern Standard Time,
oink@...writes:
<< I am not affected, but MJ builders/prospective builders/owners may
be rather worried.
Don >>
Oh yes - Don - I should also have added as a response - that I am concerned.
I would like to have a good understanding of what was happening here - and
would like to make whatever adjustments I can to make this less likely to
happen again. That's why I felt pretty free about opening this up as a group
discussion. I also want those who are building their mjs to hear about my
experience and beware. Our daughter always sails with us - she didn't come
this time. It's the only time in the past five years she hasn't come sailing
with us. She has been delighted with the cabin on our boat and loves to sail
down there reading her book. I like to think that under the windy conditions
I would have had her up in the cockpit. She will not be sailing below in
anything over 15 mph winds. Maybe not even then. Steve
oink@...writes:
<< I am not affected, but MJ builders/prospective builders/owners may
be rather worried.
Don >>
Oh yes - Don - I should also have added as a response - that I am concerned.
I would like to have a good understanding of what was happening here - and
would like to make whatever adjustments I can to make this less likely to
happen again. That's why I felt pretty free about opening this up as a group
discussion. I also want those who are building their mjs to hear about my
experience and beware. Our daughter always sails with us - she didn't come
this time. It's the only time in the past five years she hasn't come sailing
with us. She has been delighted with the cabin on our boat and loves to sail
down there reading her book. I like to think that under the windy conditions
I would have had her up in the cockpit. She will not be sailing below in
anything over 15 mph winds. Maybe not even then. Steve
In a message dated 3/7/2000 4:20:57 AM Eastern Standard Time,
oink@...writes:
<< There seems to have been at least 2 reports now of this design
being knocked down, >>
I know of six different mjs being knocked down - Two that self righted pretty
easily. I have talked with the owners of seven mjs in total - the seventh is
a person I talked with 12 years ago - who had just finished his boat and I
lost track of him. Mike O'Brien once told me about another mj which he knew
of which was caught in a storm and knocked down repeatedly but self righted
every time - also full of gear - perhaps adding some ballast.
One of those boats had a companionway which was built wider than shown in the
plans - that builder told me that in his case when laying flat the water came
in thru the oversized companionway - His "warning" was to keep the
companionway narrow - as shown in the plans.
oink@...writes:
<< There seems to have been at least 2 reports now of this design
being knocked down, >>
I know of six different mjs being knocked down - Two that self righted pretty
easily. I have talked with the owners of seven mjs in total - the seventh is
a person I talked with 12 years ago - who had just finished his boat and I
lost track of him. Mike O'Brien once told me about another mj which he knew
of which was caught in a storm and knocked down repeatedly but self righted
every time - also full of gear - perhaps adding some ballast.
One of those boats had a companionway which was built wider than shown in the
plans - that builder told me that in his case when laying flat the water came
in thru the oversized companionway - His "warning" was to keep the
companionway narrow - as shown in the plans.
There seems to have been at least 2 reports now of this design
being knocked down, and at least one lucky to be recovered in
shallow water with outside help.
There seem to be lots of conflicting theory, and even the victims
seem uncertain as to what caused the accident.
This is a bit of a worry.
I really feel that by now the Bolger organization could have made
some comment, asked some questions, given some assurances?
I am not affected, but MJ builders/prospective builders/owners may
be rather worried.
Don
being knocked down, and at least one lucky to be recovered in
shallow water with outside help.
There seem to be lots of conflicting theory, and even the victims
seem uncertain as to what caused the accident.
This is a bit of a worry.
I really feel that by now the Bolger organization could have made
some comment, asked some questions, given some assurances?
I am not affected, but MJ builders/prospective builders/owners may
be rather worried.
Don