Broaching

[Robroy]

Hi All,

If your boat is in a broaching situation what advice would you give to help prevent/stop the boat capsizing?

Is it more or less of a problem in a large or small craft?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated


Robroy

[camsharkman]

There's probably not much you can do if the boat has broached and is going to capsize. I had a very scary experience a few years ago coming into broken bay in my 600 offshore. I should never have been out there in the first place - no one else was!! It broached so badly I was flung out of the helm seat and landed on the floor in front of l/h bulk head area!! :o :o It all happening so damn fast, Just fell off the front of a wave. How it didn't capsize I don't know, Maybe becuase the engine was still throttling on??? ???
I think the best advise is don't be out in waves that are capable of capsizing your boat - if you can help it. I don't any more [smiley=2thumbsup.gif]

[baldyhead]

IF you are still at the wheel when the boat broaches apply full opposite rudder and maximum power ie if you broach on the port side apply full starboard rudder and maximum power until you have overcome the situation, then straighten up and reduce power. This will happen bloody fast so you have to be on the ball especially when she comes around @ WOT. As camsharkman said you wont have much time.

[SeaSaw]

Worst thing you can do if you start broaching is to thottle back, although it is a natural tendency. If you do the wave will be in control and anything can happen. :o As baldy said best thing to do is slam the throttle down and try to power out of it.

Cheers

Mark

[aido]

seems possible to get in a broaching situation when following a wave
in and another behind is catching up, like when in the surf a second
wave catches the first and forms one powerfull surge.
whats the recommended out for this situation?
happened to me once, i powered over the one in front, it had already
broken, but the feeling was not all that good.
cheers, aido.

[blaze]

Think a lot of boat owners experience broaching to some degree over there boating life. I had just spent 4 hrs in 4-6m breaking seas in a 4.5 half cab getting home from open waters (sea come up in about 30 min), got back in sight of the ramp and while rounding the wharf one of the guys let go and fell on me, which in turn forced the steering broadside into a 4 meter breaking wave, hit full power and the people on the wharf said it look like a sub coming outa the deep as it penatrated the wave. reason I think this happened was after hanging on for life for so long there was such relief to see the ramp and the guy just relaxed. But anyway its something that happen 20 odd years ago, I will never forget and have always praised the boat "chase craft" ever since as it wasnt my ability
So my thoughts are
Full power, keep the nose sraight, try and ride the backs, back the power off if going over one and then apply power again
cheers
blaze

[mini696]

If you are out by yourself use a killswitch like the ones on jetskis.