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TCurran
Captain
USA
363 Posts |
 Initially Posted - 11/18/2012 : 16:16:42
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I was going to write about the great raft-up we had this weekend. 13 boats, 8 of which were sailboats, including both of mine. I brought the W25 out (sorry guys, the Watkins is a better cruising boat) and a friend brought my C25, Island Time. I trust the friend, he has a Irwin 30, but because of where we were going, he couldn't get Irwin there so I offered my C25. But, due to today's events, I had to change the focus of my post.
I know many of the northern owners are either hauling out or already hauled their boats out, but I found a new way...a draw-bridge. As my buddy was passing under the bridge, the tender decided to close the bridge, then realizing his mistake, re-opened the bridge. Island Time was third in a string of three sailboats, the tender was told there was THREE boats, but counted two and started to close. Here is the result (this picture is not photo-shopped and is of my boat):
No one was hurt, my buddy and his girlfriend were able to get off the boat before the rigging broke and the boat dropped. Had to drop the mast to get it home, didn't see any obvious hull damage, but will get a surveyor to make sure. The mast is bent, the front stay, back stay, and uppers all parted. Only the lowers remained in tact and kept the mast from crashing.
The tender admitted he was at fault. The bridge is owned by a local subdivision, and they already let me know they will take care of my boat, ,but...the lawyers aren't involved yet.
Other than that, it was a great weekend and will post a shot of the raft-up when I get one.
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Tom Curran
PO 1984 SR/SK #4081 "Island Time"
1985 Watkins 25
PAFB, FL |
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delliottg
Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor
USA
3840 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/18/2012 : 16:47:28
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If there was ever any doubt about how tough our boats are, that picture says it all. Dangling from it's mast? That's stunning! Even if the rigging did finally part.
Glad no one was hurt & they're taking responsibility for the accident. Did your friends have to jump into the water to escape? |
David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor
 
Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain -- |
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TCurran
Captain
USA
363 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/18/2012 : 17:05:29
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quote:
Originally posted by delliottg
Glad no one was hurt & they're taking responsibility for the accident. Did your friends have to jump into the water to escape?
They jumped off onto the bridge fenders, they were able to stay dry. |
Tom Curran
PO 1984 SR/SK #4081 "Island Time"
1985 Watkins 25
PAFB, FL |
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shnool
Mainsheet Capri-25 Tech Editor
USA
403 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/18/2012 : 18:24:33
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| now that there is darned scary! Tough a$$ boat indeed! |
John Schramm, Anticipation a 1982 Capri 25 fin keel, hull 278, Sailing with the Paupack Sail Club, Lake Wallenpaupack, PA |
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rrick
Navigator
USA
240 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/18/2012 : 21:46:06
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| So the outboard seized before reconnecting with the fluid which it was intended to operate? I see smoke in the back, a little darker than gray two stroke mist, and I can imagine the last setting was 11 of 10! |
   The Tall Rig Spirit: 1978, #973, Cast Fe Fin Keel, West Coast Trailerable Yacht, and the Molly Brown: 1967, #34 bronze, mahogany teak oak etc... Boatyard queen. |
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TCurran
Captain
USA
363 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/19/2012 : 03:44:59
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| Rick, the engine is ok, that was the first thing my buddy did as the boat started to lift. So there is a bright spot... |
Tom Curran
PO 1984 SR/SK #4081 "Island Time"
1985 Watkins 25
PAFB, FL |
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redeye
Master Marine Consultant
2354 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/19/2012 : 05:02:00
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I didn't know those boats could fly!!! Looks like the bridge tender has been in the brownies... Well... you get a new rig.
Have them buy you a new onboard two tone air horn while they are at it. 
What a hoot! |
"LeeKey" #4475
Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
'84 Catalina 25 SR/FK
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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant
1327 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/19/2012 : 05:50:12
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| Wow, lucky they didn't get killed. Even if you evacuate to the adjacent fenders, I could imagine the spreader coming down on top of you, or the rigging causing some unspeakable injuries, unless you can get well away from the bridge. |
Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
Formerly known as "RhythmDoctor"
---- 1998 C250WK #348 "Take Five" -----|-------- 1991 15' Trophy --------- 1985 14' Phantom --
--- Essington, PA on Delaware River -----|---------- Trailered to Lake Wallenpaupack ------------ |
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shnool
Mainsheet Capri-25 Tech Editor
USA
403 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/19/2012 : 06:30:07
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| I am looking at the bridgehouse for the operator of the bridge... all I can say is, how'd he miss that rig coming his way? 2, 3 or otherwise. Everyone makes mistakes and all, but that's a doosy. |
John Schramm, Anticipation a 1982 Capri 25 fin keel, hull 278, Sailing with the Paupack Sail Club, Lake Wallenpaupack, PA |
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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant
USA
3698 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/19/2012 : 13:13:18
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| Amazing photo. I'm so glad no people were injured. That's something to be thankful for later this week! |
DavidP
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore
USA
3840 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/19/2012 : 14:04:56
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I have seen expert opinions that a sailboat's rig should be strong enough so that you should be able, theoretically, to lift it up by a crane attached to the masthead. I've just never seen it actually done before!  |
Steve Milby "Captiva Wind" C&C 35 Landfall
Past Commodore |
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TCurran
Captain
USA
363 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/19/2012 : 15:34:37
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A couple of different angles:
Note the two folks are still on board...
I was told it hung this way for just about an hour before something gave (I think the masthead or the bolt holding the masthead)... |
Tom Curran
PO 1984 SR/SK #4081 "Island Time"
1985 Watkins 25
PAFB, FL |
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delliottg
Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor
USA
3840 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/19/2012 : 15:40:33
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| Someone ought to send these pictures to Frank Butler. |
David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor
Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain -- |
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant
Djibouti
4249 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/19/2012 : 19:55:42
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| Why didn't they lower the bridge enough to at last let her float? Too much current? |
Dave Bristle
Past member, USCG OUPV, and Association "Port Captain" for Mystic, CT
DPO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage
Now on Eastern 27 Sarge (but still sailing).
  
Passage, Mystic, and Sarge--click to enlarge. |
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zeil
Admiral
Canada
689 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/20/2012 : 01:51:35
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Optical illusion?... I don't seem to be able to put it together... it seems that the top of the mast is hung-up on the bridge at a different point as compared to the last photo's? |
Henk & Johanna "Someday Lady"
'95 C250 WB #151
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TCurran
Captain
USA
363 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/20/2012 : 04:04:17
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Dave, not sure why they didn't lower the bridge and let it float, I wasn't there and was two disgusted (not really that upset or pissed, just didn't want to talk to him) to ask the tender.
Henk, you're right, they don't look the same, must be a result of the different angles. The first one is from the north side and at a slight angle. The second pic is from the south side. The mast was hung on the south side of the bridge. No one told me that it moved till it fell.
Some one sent a shot to Central Florida 13's website. That witness said it hung for only 20 minutes, the guys at bridge said close to an hour, truth is probably somewhere in-betwen. Don't think the time matters except they waited too long to lower it because it dropped! |
Tom Curran
PO 1984 SR/SK #4081 "Island Time"
1985 Watkins 25
PAFB, FL |
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redeye
Master Marine Consultant
2354 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/20/2012 : 04:54:31
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I'm glad you weren't there .... You'd have probably stroked or broken your hand on the bridge tenders door...
Don't you think this calls for a renaming... "Hanging Out", "Pre-stretched", "Rig of Power", "Bridge Tenders Delight"
"TopGun" |
"LeeKey" #4475
Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
'84 Catalina 25 SR/FK
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TCurran
Captain
USA
363 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/20/2012 : 05:54:30
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Ray...all great names, but I think I like "Pre-stretched" the best... or maybe "Hang Time" vice "Island Time"
Henk, talked to one of the guys there, that bridge has two sections per side, the north one was slightly lower than the south side, hence the "optical illusion". |
Tom Curran
PO 1984 SR/SK #4081 "Island Time"
1985 Watkins 25
PAFB, FL |
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant
Djibouti
4249 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/20/2012 : 07:36:58
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| I'm guessing he left her up there for fear of causing more trouble by lowering her, was waiting for a higher authority to tell him what to do, and "higher authority" was on break (or driving over). If he lowered her right away, a current could have made things even dicier with the mast-head still connected to the bridge. The auto traffic in the area was probably anxious for a conclusion... |
Dave Bristle
Past member, USCG OUPV, and Association "Port Captain" for Mystic, CT
DPO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage
Now on Eastern 27 Sarge (but still sailing).
Passage, Mystic, and Sarge--click to enlarge. |
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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant
Canada
3126 Posts |
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delliottg
Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor
USA
3840 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/20/2012 : 09:01:48
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| I vote for "Hang Time". |
David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor
Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain -- |
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redeye
Master Marine Consultant
2354 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/20/2012 : 09:36:48
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| "Splash" |
"LeeKey" #4475
Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
'84 Catalina 25 SR/FK
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shnool
Mainsheet Capri-25 Tech Editor
USA
403 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/20/2012 : 09:57:01
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| Neah "Skewered" or "Topping Lift" That is just crazy... nobody would believe without picts. |
John Schramm, Anticipation a 1982 Capri 25 fin keel, hull 278, Sailing with the Paupack Sail Club, Lake Wallenpaupack, PA |
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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant
USA
3698 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/20/2012 : 12:40:50
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| I vote for "Flying High" |
DavidP
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN
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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant
USA
1253 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/20/2012 : 15:54:41
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| Couldn't believe it w/o the photos...glad all were OK... |
Jerry
Whisper
C-25, #1672,'80, SR/SK
S. Jamesport, NY |
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TCurran
Captain
USA
363 Posts |
Response Posted - 11/20/2012 : 17:00:17
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Here's the promised raft-up shot. We had 13 boats, 5 stinkers and 8 sailboats. It was a nice night and a great time. We had a 41 Morgan, 30 O'Day, 30 Watkins, two 25 Watkins, C25 (Island Time), and not pictured, a 27 Hunter and a 23 Hunter. Now, if we would haved all just stayed there...
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Tom Curran
PO 1984 SR/SK #4081 "Island Time"
1985 Watkins 25
PAFB, FL |
Edited by - TCurran on 11/20/2012 17:02:28 |
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