Well,
I just got back from a few days of sailing and I thought I would take this opportunity to share my first pitchpole experiences with the other relative newbies out there.
Myself and my crew (combined weight of 355lbs) were sailing on a large inland lake in winds of about 20 mph (sometimes higher) and had a real blast. Thankfully, my good buddy is stupidly fearless (...you gotta love that in a crewmate eh?) and had never been on an H16 before. Besides having the greatest of fun and getting high on adrenaline, we pitchpoled twice and nearly a third time. The good news is; I am no longer afraid to pitchpole my H16...Now, that is not to suggest that I actually enjoy pitchpoling - It`s just that I am no longer afraid of it like I once was.
We setup the boat with about 9 inches of mast rake and headed out onto the partially white-capped lake. Within 30 minutes, we flawlessly performed a not-too-violent pitchpole while on a broad reach...what a rush! My buddy was stoic as ever, but instantly stopped complaining that since he "hit 40" he no longer gets adrenaline rushes out of life. He won`t be saying that anymore!
We righted the unruly boat and took off again. Promptly we picked up speed and immediately burried the bows (and half of the tramp) whilst we scrambled like rats to the back of the boat and saved yet another slow-motion flip. I am certain that my good friend was still trying to digest the previous surge of adrenaline, so there seemed to be little need to talk about the latest close-call. He just looked at me as if to be reassured that I wasn`t actually insane.
I am not sure why, but for some reason when things get tense on the water (due to the elements) it seems to result in silence. I have found this to be the case in my other "big-water" boating experiences as well as in many nautical adventure books. In any event, I just tried to fake it - as any good captain should. However, my friend has known me for more than 30 of my 40 years, and I suspect he was wondering if HE was actually the crazy one for going sailing with me!
About 45 minutes later, while we were rocketing along on a close reach (nearly close-hauled) my crewman turned the "whites-of-his-eyes" towards me just as the leeward bow was beginning to pierce the occassional wave at high speed - threatening to dig in. At that moment, I laughed like some sort of kooky adrenaline Pirate, and, with all the confidence that my "book-smarts" catamaran expertise could muster, I proclaimed victoriously above the wind; "don`t worry, H16`s never pitchpole while going upwind". Within seconds - as if on cue from the Gods - BLAM, a violent pitchpole!! I was launched into the air, close-lined by the windward shroud, and spun around while airborne before crashing onto the jib just as it (and me) hit the water.
All I can say is ...WOW! Now, I am truly addicted to this catamaran sailing thing. I admit it can certainly scare the [email]SH@T[/email] out of you. But, it is simply a blast; something my buddy and I will talk about for many years to come. I loved it and he did too.
Morals of the Story...(1) H16`s CAN pitchpole while going upwind - I know for sure! (2) It is a surprisingly easy manuvre to accomplish and doesn`t appear to require any practice at all (3) My first pitchpole experience wasn`t the "show-stopper" that I was afraid it might be. In fact, I would even venture to say that the threat of it occurring again actually enhanced the overall sailing experience. (4) One should probably refrain from any "proclamations" in the face of Mother Nature - I knew this one already but forgot.
Whew! I can`t wait to push the envelope again.
I GET IT !
Dave <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
