Is the CC19 unsinkable?

[popeye]

Hi
does anybody knows whether the CC19 is sinkable or not? Has she lifting bodies fitted below the berth?

Frank

[Dennis]

Hello Frank

The CC19 is not fitted with built in buoyancy. There is very little wasted volume beneath the quarter berths, filling this space with rigid foam would help but would not give sufficient lift to keep the boat afloat in the unlikely event of being holed. There is a much larger volume below the forward V-berth, useful buoyancy could certainly be fitted there, but you would lose the storage facility it offers. If the boat were holed in that area the flood should be contained anyway by the bulkhead (at the aft end of the space).
Buoyancy could also be fitted at the aft end beyond the quarter berth cushions and either side of the outboard well.

One of the advantages of the CC19 is that virtually all of the internal volume is available as useable space.

To return to your question, "does anybody knows whether the CC19 is sinkable or not?". I imagine if you drilled a hole in the hull, it would sink. However, the boat is robustly constructed, and I do not know of any which have sustained sufficient accidental damage to sink them.

Regards

Dennis

[popeye]

Hi Dennis

I am not thinking much about demages in the hull beneth the waterline more when she is capsizing. But thank you very much for your detailed explenation. It helps me very well.

Frank

[Dennis]

Hello Frank

No problem with stability. The CC19 is self righting up to 110 degrees angle of heel. See the stability curve in the following link: http://www.capecutter19.com/design.htm.

Cheers

Dennis

[Boris]

I have chartered a CC19 in Holland and I had very stormy weather in the waddenzee, so I had to wait on the island Ameland until F6 changed into F5 plus gusts. Unfortunately I had no experiance with this boat and the stiffy waves of the waddenzee came athwart. Everything inside the cabin tumbled around, inclusive the oil lamp (with the messy result).

The stability of 110° is a fine thing! But I sailed solo and wasn´t relaxed so I used the lifeline!
I would like to know if anybody already touched with the mast the water?

Boris

[Simon Head]

Hi Boris

What sails were set in these conditions? To be running with genoa set and full sail would be a handfull in these conditions. I have sailed in F6 with a single reef and staysail going into wind and felt very comfortable- but I am 17 stone (although my wife now has me on a diet!), with my son who is 14- so I have the benefit of a lot of movable ballast! In these conditions its better to sail "freer" i.e not with the mainsail held tight in the boat and ease out the main in gusts. Gaff rigs sail better like this. If all fails just release everything, but remember flappy sails are not happy sails!!!

I have never taken the gunnel rail below yet, although I have been fairly close. To do this would be a combination of wind and wave conditions. Boats rairly capsize due to wind only, but with a combination of wind and wave conditions.

I have not heard of any CC19 coming close to capsizing or touching the water with the mast- any one else?

If things get hairy its always better to bear away.

Due to the lead ballast the CC19 is a very stiff boat, especially going into wind- that is to say she does not tend to "broach" (turning into wind uncontrollable) easily.

Regards

Simon Head

[Chris Wicks]

Hi,
I would reiterate Simon's comments. My sailing area includes experiencing sudden blasts of air off a mountain side (katabatic winds). The quick easing of the main sheet or briefly heading up wind is the best solution. In my photo section (Kaliope in Greece) there is one shot of my boat fully healed over. Having reached this stage she was very stiff and stable but I was ready to ease off the sail or head up wind. I've never taken water over the side.

[Boris]

Thanks for your answers. So I think now, that the "problem" would be based more on my feeling than on the conditions.

Simon, I used only the genoa cause I had to follow the tideway and the wind came mostly from aft. But when I wanted to strike the sail (means: to roll in the genoa) the roller furl blocked. The sail was still half out.
For my opinion I felt this situation has not really appeased the rolling. In contrast the boat healed more leewards and intensified by the waves I needed one hand on the gunnel rail to stay into the boat. I let the sail flap a bit when wind and waves came athwards (I know, it was not happy ;-)

What I needed would be a nice sailing trip under special conditions with somebody who knows the boat better than me. May I should ask the community when I have money and time to visit GB?

Boris

[Simon Head]

Hi Boris

In any conditions it is advised not to use the genoa by itself- only use the staysail as the genoa requires the load of the main to balance out any excess tension on the mast and on the rig (as stated in the manual).

The genoa is a large sail as well to be using in these conditions- really it is an off the wind sail, especially in windy conditions. The CC19 does have a large sail area for its size-this is ideal for lighter winds, but it does require reefing in heavier weather. Having sailed with my family going into wind I rarely use the genoa with full sail over F4, putting in a single reef and using the staysail being an ideal combination in stronger winds up to mid F6. Off the wind, however a larger sail area can be carried.

There are solutions to the genoa furling gear issue described elsewhere in the forum- there are also pictures showing mods.

However, there are simple methods to stop the furler jamming- to provide a little tension of the halyards stops this happening when furling the sail. I found this out after it happened to me on a blowy day in the Solent.

Regards

Simon

[Boris]

Hello Simon,

I think that I would have choosen the foresail, but only the genoa had the roller. Under this rocking conditions I wanted to avoid leaving the tiller and climbing on deck.

Otherwise it is pleasant to hear obout the seaworthyness of the boat. Nothing can be replaced by experience! (I translated a german adage - I hope the message comes across)

Let me wish to you and the whole community:

A Happy New Year!


Boris