GL: Stability

[bob Austin]

There are some ocean going cats which have floats on top of the mast--There
are self righting techniques, which involve flooding one hull and then working
the boat upright.

There are multiple cases of monohull sailboats which have capsized (rolled)
and survived.  What happens to the boat depends on the inguinity and
preparedness of the owner.  There are far more cases of 90 degree knock
downs--with recovary. (which I have experienced) Once a cat goes to 90
degrees, it might as well be all of the way over.   Once the cat goes over, it
may have damage to the hull and deck structure--just as a monohull may have
damage.  I am aware of some cat capsizings where the boat was not habital
after capsize.  Living in capsized hulls sounds a bit tenous--and a bit of a
last resort.

I suspect that the capsize which Georgs refers to was the Glacier Bay, where
the seas were on the beam, there were 6 large men and fish chests which were
un-secured, thrown to one side, and the boat rolled over.  There have been
several other capsizes/sinkings, but they appeared to be related to hull to
deck joint separation or direct flooding of one hull and then capsize/sinking
of the small power cat.

I do own both a power cat and monohull.  I did not buy the cat because it was
safer, but because of a better ride in rough weather.

Bob Austin