U-20 sinking

[daffy 6]

about the same time the shit hit the fan for Chi-Mac boats?

[BayRacer 57]

I was not on either race this year, but had friends on both. The storm hit the Hook fleet 1-2 hours earlier. The information told to me was the U-20 was approximately 7-8 miles out from the finish in Menominee around 10:00PM CDT or so. Time and location is approximate.

 

Friends on a boat a couple miles ahead of the U-20 reported 57 knots.

 

I haven't heard whether they got sails down ahead of the storm, but it may not have mattered anyway. The boat flipped, and then came back up. One crew member reportedly swam into semi-submerged boat to retrieve one cell phone in ziplock baggie to call for assistance. Other phones in gear pockets had been soaked in capsize. The crew was picked up by another competitor.

[BayRacer 57]

Story, interview here:

 

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/125810733.html

[oldensloh 1]

Story, interview here:

 

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/125810733.html

 

Very glad that Gregg and crew are OK, and that Goombay Smash was salvaged and will be back on the racecourse. I am also curious, as a fellow U20 owner, why the boat sank, since U20s have sealed flotation compartments to keep the boat floating even when swamped, plus balsa cores that add some buoyancy. I’m speculating that the keelbox may have suffered damage in the capsizing that compromised the integrity of the compartments. U20s, like all Santa Cruz-built boats, are tough and well-built little critters.

[More Faster 0]

At approximately 9:30,we(Goombay) were approximately 8 miles from Menonimee on starboard reaching away from the storm, bearing 326 at 7 knots. I'd just given up the helm to Gregg. Gregg looked up, called downdraft, and then we fully broached port side down. We stood the boat up once(eased jib, blew vang, then furled jib) and almost recovered when the straight line came through, flattened us again, and then the wind increased and even with Matt standing on the keel it rolled. We swam to the windward side, climbed up on to the hull. Time approximately 9:45. Matt reminded me that I quoted "Caddyshack" as the hail hit(I don't recon the heavy stuff will come down for quite some time, I think we should keep playing). We rode the remainder (approximately 45 min) of the gale clinging to the keel, and tried to keep it from rolling over again(the waves and wind kept lifting the windward rail). We took 3-5 ft waves over us and the boat for the entire time. I have no idea of windspeed, but it was significantly more than 30 for much of the time. We pulled the stern light(suction cup style) and stuck it on the hull for visibility. Don't know the brand, but through the entire experience both bow and stern lights remained suctioned wherever we put them.

 

By the time the wind subsided, I had significant grip fatigue(partly due to trimming for one of the best downwind sleigh rides I've ever had for most of the day). Matt helped me adjust my inflatable, and then we managed to get the boat half righted, dropped the main, and we righted the boat. The boat was already full to above the companionway, with the stern hatch sealed and buoyant, but still resting on average 6" below the water. We pulled and threw everything in the way of the companionway(3 spins), plus floating gear, and then cut through the spaghetti of lines and I swam into the starboard quarter birth until I could locate my Pelican case with cell phone in it. Due to gear shifting and boat angle to the waves I didn't feel comfortable swimming to the port side where the spare radio and flares were located. Gregg and Matt did what they could to keep the boat stable and warn me of bigger waves, and watch for/whistle at other boats.

 

I spoke with the Marinette Sheriff's dispatch, relayed our Lat Lon, as well as approximate bearings to visible points(Chamber Island Lights, Menominee, etc)from the GPS that Matt had around his neck and asked them to hail Mayday for us. Then we spoke with the coast guard and provided similar information, as well as confirmed that we were unhurt, alert, and calm, but would very much prefer not to be in our current predicament. We informed them that we were currently holding position as the boat was so far in the water, and said that we would stay with the boat as long as we could, but if we had to go back into the water again we would do so tethered together and would drift approximately south east with lights, whistles, and strobes. The phone took too much water after that, and it died. We took approximately 2-4 ft waves during this time.

 

We hoisted a strobe from the main halyard as high as it would go(spreaders. Then we spent the remainder of our time trying to keep the boat as level as we could as the bow slowly dropped lower and lower(initially just 6", but then 2'). The sailing vessel "White Cap" sailed close enough to hear our whistles, see our strobe, and our flashes with the stern light. They dropped sail, and we hailed them verbally and ask that they stood by until Menominee Fire/Rescue arrived. Fire/Rescue was working to find a way to get close enough to us when the boat finally quit and went almost vertical, bow down. We left at that time and swam approx 10 yards, and were helped into the rescue boat at approx 1130. We did not tether to the boat at any time as we were worried that it was unstable and might cause us to get pinned or tangle.

 

Marinette Sheriff arrived shortly after that. Fire/Rescue wanted to get us to shore, so Sheriff stood by the boat until USCG Station Sturgeon Bay arrived and tethered a bouy to the stern rail. At some point during the night the boat sank the rest of the way. Someone on the M&M YC RC gave us their hotel room for the night as they had overnight finish line duty, and then provided us with anything else needed.

 

The boat was recovered mid-day. It had sunk to approximately 60 ft, which turned out to be fantastic because the bottom is at 100 and it simply hung in suspension. They winched it up, pumped it out, and it was on jackstands on the hard somewhere on the Door Peninsula by mid afternoon. There is apparently no damage to the vessel, although we're waiting to hear from the marine surveyor, but are very content to have walked away from this one. I can't say thank you enough to Marinette Sheriff Dispatch, Marinette Sheriff Water Patrol, Menominee Fire/Rescue, USCG Station Sturgeon Bay(and whatever helicopter station they were sending), the crew of sailing vessel Whitecap who abandoned their race to stand by, the volunteers and RC of the M&M YC, and my fellow crew Matt and skipper Gregg.

[ghsail 0]

 

I was at Goombay today and talked to the initial reports of the boat sinking to 60 feet were incorrect. I spoke with the group that pumped out Goombay and towed her to shore.

 

We were taken to shore about 11:30pm or so. The Tow Boat arrived at 2:00am and the boat was still at the surface with bow down and stern still out of the water.

 

As the reason that the front flotation dry well area filled was due to the intense pressure created by the waves entering the cabin a seam popped where the dry well was sealed to the hull allowing water to slowly seep into the dry well.

 

Boat is out of the water and looks great. Very little damage was incurred.

 

Correction to the News story... Pete was the one to retrieve his cell phone and communicate with Fire and Rescue!

 

Thanks to a great crew, we are all here to talk about it!

[junta 1]

Great to hear you and your crew are safe and well. Big thanks go out to White Cap for assisting. Like Oldensloh said the U20 are tough little boats and never went down. Keel, check, Mast, check, off to NA's in 2 weeks? Hope to see you there.

[More Faster 0]

Correction to my post above: We had initially been told the boat sank by USCG when Gregg spoke with them at 2am while attempting to sort out recovery with Boat US. The next day we were told the boat was found suspended in 60 feet of water, but apparently it never went down all the way. One more reason to love her...

[U20guy2 9]

Wow! Go Goombay! Man what a story.

 

The U20's are pretty damn tough boats. Another owner who sailed with me a few times at NA events in the past many years ago told me he did his best to sink his - mainly user error - keel was not locked down forgot to snug down the bolts in the keel plate and they rounded up only to have the keel slide in and the boat roll over. HA HA. He said it sat like that full of water for well over 3hours till a large V8 inboard Sherrif's boat arrived and with the help of a smaller power boat they were able to rig up lines and basically slowly spin the boat right side up pulling from both sides. He said the boat even totally swamped floated level and they took her home and drained her out.

 

Antrim did a nice job on the U20. Thanks Jim!

[Hatches 0]

Pete's got most of the story above, what I keep coming back to are two things: (1) what we did right and wrong; and (2) the fact that 181 miles of the race was one of the best sailing experiences of my life. Hindsight is 20/20, but hopefully what we learned might help someone else preparing for their own race.

 

Wrongs: I think the combination of fatigue and eagerness to get into the safety of the harbor caused us to forget to secure the VHF radio and the primary GPS to the rail, causing us to be forced to rely on Pete's Blackberry in his pelican case. None of our phones had gotten reception the entire race, so the fact that his did was great but it makes me wonder if we had been further out if it would have even worked. Also, we should have immediately secured the companionway upon seeing the storm as that would have potentially reduced the amount of water in the cabin. We should have brought a laptop with satellite hookup so that we could check the weather more comprehensively and see what was coming at us. Finally, the last eight hours of the race we came off our sleep schedule as we were excited to finish, however we should never have given it up and continued our shifts until shortly before the finish line.

 

Rights: Constant communication to ensure we were all on the same page, confirming we were unhurt, talking about Pete's grip problem, discussing what the next thing we were going to do, quickly arriving a decisions and executing, taking sails down when the boat was halfway up, staying together, not panicking, and staying with the boat all maximized our chances of getting rescued. We even cracked a few jokes here and there in the middle of it all to keep our spirits up. That being said I feel lucky as all heck.

 

First 90% of the Race: Amazing. The boat performed great, awesome team with which to race, the weather couldn't have been better.

 

Something to Smile About: Now that we're ok and the boat's recovered, I can laugh about when Gregg was on the phone with the insurance rep. The one-sided conversation went something like this: "My boat is 7 or so miles from Menominee, MI, barely above the surface. The Coast Guard has asked me what your company wishes to do, tow or abandon it ... ... ... No I do not have access to the boat at this time ... ... well because the boat is in the middle of Lake Michigan ... ... no, I cannot get to the boat right now ... ... I have the GPS coordinates for you if you want to take them down ... ... I didn't hear that, what do you need? ... ... Menominee, M-E-N-O ... " You get the picture.

 

Thank you Gregg and Pete, phenomenal ride, unforgettable experience, sail with you guys any day.

[Jackdaw 103]

Awesome all home safe and (now) dry. Great to hear the U20 is not now the U-20 (as in U-boat U-20). Pete you are now forgiven for not returning my texts. See you at the loft next weekend.

 

Greg - If you even sell her, you can refer to the event as: July 2011 - Thorough deep cleaning.

[Schoonerman 6]

U20 = "Takes a lickin and keeps on tickin" Wonder how the new J70 will do in this situation?

 

Gregg...so thankful that you all survived as did the boat.

[Mambo Kings 672]

 

I was at Goombay today and talked to the initial reports of the boat sinking to 60 feet were incorrect. I spoke with the group that pumped out Goombay and towed her to shore.

 

We were taken to shore about 11:30pm or so. The Tow Boat arrived at 2:00am and the boat was still at the surface with bow down and stern still out of the water.

 

As the reason that the front flotation dry well area filled was due to the intense pressure created by the waves entering the cabin a seam popped where the dry well was sealed to the hull allowing water to slowly seep into the dry well.

 

Boat is out of the water and looks great. Very little damage was incurred.

 

Correction to the News story... Pete was the one to retrieve his cell phone and communicate with Fire and Rescue!

 

Thanks to a great crew, we are all here to talk about it!

 

 

Most of all, best wishes to Gregg, Matt and Pete.......All of us are thrilled to hear that you are safe, and frankly the Mambo Kings are in awe of your steady seamanship and your tough little ship. Thank you for your humility in sharing with all of us what you would have done differently.

 

Goombay Smash has been a great promoter for the U20 class on SA and elsewhere, and a bit of an inspiration for other sport boat classes. I corresponded with Gregg when I first got into my boat. SA hall of fame material in my book. Damn glad you are safe. Tight crew and tight ship. Kudos.

[sellensr 0]

Gregg,

 

Glad to hear all are OK, including Goombay! You have really taken it to heart to promote the visibility of the U20 with another front page story on SA. I look forward to hearing a well honed war story at the NAs!

[ghsail 0]

Gregg,

 

Glad to hear all are OK, including Goombay! You have really taken it to heart to promote the visibility of the U20 with another front page story on SA. I look forward to hearing a well honed war story at the NAs!

 

 

Another story in the Racine Journal Times... Error's included....Racine Journal Times Article

[More Faster 0]

Gregg,

 

Glad to hear all are OK, including Goombay! You have really taken it to heart to promote the visibility of the U20 with another front page story on SA. I look forward to hearing a well honed war story at the NAs!

 

Rick- We'd actually shot a TON of vid from two mounted HD cams as well as a handheld still cam we had running for a bunch of the event, and were planning a nice little PR piece. All three of us would do just about anything for the class, but swimming off one isn't on the list of planned activities. Unfortunately the still cam and one of the vids is now at the bottom of Green Bay. We're hoping to pull some of the sled ride of the memory card of the third. The overnight on Sunday(3-6am) and noon till we rounded Death's Door are easily the most fun I've ever had on a boat in my life.

[jennysail 0]

At approximately 9:30,we(Goombay) were approximately 8 miles from Menonimee on starboard reaching away from the storm, bearing 326 at 7 knots. I'd just given up the helm to Gregg. Gregg looked up, called downdraft, and then we fully broached port side down. We stood the boat up once(eased jib, blew vang, then furled jib) and almost recovered when the straight line came through, flattened us again, and then the wind increased and even with Matt standing on the keel it rolled. We swam to the windward side, climbed up on to the hull. Time approximately 9:45. Matt reminded me that I quoted "Caddyshack" as the hail hit(I don't recon the heavy stuff will come down for quite some time, I think we should keep playing). We rode the remainder (approximately 45 min) of the gale clinging to the keel, and tried to keep it from rolling over again(the waves and wind kept lifting the windward rail). We took 3-5 ft waves over us and the boat for the entire time. I have no idea of windspeed, but it was significantly more than 30 for much of the time. We pulled the stern light(suction cup style) and stuck it on the hull for visibility. Don't know the brand, but through the entire experience both bow and stern lights remained suctioned wherever we put them.

 

By the time the wind subsided, I had significant grip fatigue(partly due to trimming for one of the best downwind sleigh rides I've ever had for most of the day). Matt helped me adjust my inflatable, and then we managed to get the boat half righted, dropped the main, and we righted the boat. The boat was already full to above the companionway, with the stern hatch sealed and buoyant, but still resting on average 6" below the water. We pulled and threw everything in the way of the companionway(3 spins), plus floating gear, and then cut through the spaghetti of lines and I swam into the starboard quarter birth until I could locate my Pelican case with cell phone in it. Due to gear shifting and boat angle to the waves I didn't feel comfortable swimming to the port side where the spare radio and flares were located. Gregg and Matt did what they could to keep the boat stable and warn me of bigger waves, and watch for/whistle at other boats.

 

I spoke with the Marinette Sheriff's dispatch, relayed our Lat Lon, as well as approximate bearings to visible points(Chamber Island Lights, Menominee, etc)from the GPS that Matt had around his neck and asked them to hail Mayday for us. Then we spoke with the coast guard and provided similar information, as well as confirmed that we were unhurt, alert, and calm, but would very much prefer not to be in our current predicament. We informed them that we were currently holding position as the boat was so far in the water, and said that we would stay with the boat as long as we could, but if we had to go back into the water again we would do so tethered together and would drift approximately south east with lights, whistles, and strobes. The phone took too much water after that, and it died. We took approximately 2-4 ft waves during this time.

 

We hoisted a strobe from the main halyard as high as it would go(spreaders. Then we spent the remainder of our time trying to keep the boat as level as we could as the bow slowly dropped lower and lower(initially just 6", but then 2'). The sailing vessel "White Cap" sailed close enough to hear our whistles, see our strobe, and our flashes with the stern light. They dropped sail, and we hailed them verbally and ask that they stood by until Menominee Fire/Rescue arrived. Fire/Rescue was working to find a way to get close enough to us when the boat finally quit and went almost vertical, bow down. We left at that time and swam approx 10 yards, and were helped into the rescue boat at approx 1130. We did not tether to the boat at any time as we were worried that it was unstable and might cause us to get pinned or tangle.

 

Marinette Sheriff arrived shortly after that. Fire/Rescue wanted to get us to shore, so Sheriff stood by the boat until USCG Station Sturgeon Bay arrived and tethered a bouy to the stern rail. At some point during the night the boat sank the rest of the way. Someone on the M&M YC RC gave us their hotel room for the night as they had overnight finish line duty, and then provided us with anything else needed.

 

The boat was recovered mid-day. It had sunk to approximately 60 ft, which turned out to be fantastic because the bottom is at 100 and it simply hung in suspension. They winched it up, pumped it out, and it was on jackstands on the hard somewhere on the Door Peninsula by mid afternoon. There is apparently no damage to the vessel, although we're waiting to hear from the marine surveyor, but are very content to have walked away from this one. I can't say thank you enough to Marinette Sheriff Dispatch, Marinette Sheriff Water Patrol, Menominee Fire/Rescue, USCG Station Sturgeon Bay(and whatever helicopter station they were sending), the crew of sailing vessel Whitecap who abandoned their race to stand by, the volunteers and RC of the M&M YC, and my fellow crew Matt and skipper Gregg.

[jennysail 0]

Wow! great details Pete, we are sooo glad you are ok.

[Speng 8]

 

Wrongs: I think the combination of fatigue and eagerness to get into the safety of the harbor caused us to forget to secure the VHF radio and the primary GPS to the rail, causing us to be forced to rely on Pete's Blackberry in his pelican case. None of our phones had gotten reception the entire race, so the fact that his did was great but it makes me wonder if we had been further out if it would have even worked. Also, we should have immediately secured the companionway upon seeing the storm as that would have potentially reduced the amount of water in the cabin. We should have brought a laptop with satellite hookup so that we could check the weather more comprehensively and see what was coming at us. Finally, the last eight hours of the race we came off our sleep schedule as we were excited to finish, however we should never have given it up and continued our shifts until shortly before the finish line.

 

 

 

I guess another take away is to have a bilge pump available on deck...

Also looking at the NOR they didn't specify the OSR category that the race fell under (I assume Cat2 or Cat3 would be appropriate) that would've been a good idea so you'd have some guidance at to how to equip your boat. good to see you and the boat are fine i've always maintained that U20s are good for this type of racing.

[ghsail 0]

As a followup, Goombay Smash is home from repairs and looks brand new. Tough, Tough Boat!!! Also this months October 2011 Issue of Sailing World Magazine has an article on Page 14 about Goombay's adventure.

[Jambalaya 51]

I missed this first time around but thanks for sharing the story, it's really helpful to build the knowledge bank wtithout having to swim in the lake to do it.

[Amati 1,523]

We were hit by downbursts during a 50k storm and each one -3- pinned the main to the water. She came up each time, with both of us standing on the down side of the cockpit.. These downbursts were not sustained. I think they were microbursts tripped by Foulweather bluff, S wind. We were just under the north facing bluff. Once we lowered the main, we were fine, but getting the bolt rope to slide- new sail- was difficult. Tough little boat.

 

Paul ( we were #36 at the time)

[Mambo Kings 672]

As a followup, Goombay Smash is home from repairs and looks brand new. Tough, Tough Boat!!! Also this months October 2011 Issue of Sailing World Magazine has an article on Page 14 about Goombay's adventure.

 

 

Good to hear Gregg. I trust this will be the Goombay's scariest adventure, but may she and her skipper continue to have many more good adventures together in the future.

[Joesailor 0]

Just Sailed in the Mallory Cup at Lake Norman NC in the U 20. Loved the boat!! I can see why it and you guys survived this ordeal. I am a Viper owner and love the Viper but if there were U20s in the North east I would own one of them also. Looking forward to sailing one again in the future. Smooth sailing guys!!!

[ghsail 0]

Here is a crazy after story!

 

First, I recieved my soft sided cooler in the mail from someone that found it on by Chamber's Island and assumed it was ours after hearing of our adventure. The individual returned the cooler less the animal crackers and pretels that didn't make it, however the coffee packages were still good.

 

Next, my gear bag was found and shipped back to me! What is amazing is the location it was found. It traveled all the way from Green Bay by Marinette/Menomonee to Point Betsie on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan! The individual tracked us down through facebook. Returned was my bag, foul weather gear, dingy boots, hipsack life inflatable life jacket, wallet with $10, Driver's license, Credit Cards, etc, and Cell Phone (not functional anymore).

 

It is great to see that there are good people out there that are honest and true!

[eerie sailor 23]

I had a buddy of mine loose his gear bag a few years ago off Put IN BAy Ohio when a tri flipped. His gear bag was found off Dunkirk NY. His cell phone still worked.

 

Here is a crazy after story!

 

First, I recieved my soft sided cooler in the mail from someone that found it on by Chamber's Island and assumed it was ours after hearing of our adventure. The individual returned the cooler less the animal crackers and pretels that didn't make it, however the coffee packages were still good.

 

Next, my gear bag was found and shipped back to me! What is amazing is the location it was found. It traveled all the way from Green Bay by Marinette/Menomonee to Point Betsie on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan! The individual tracked us down through facebook. Returned was my bag, foul weather gear, dingy boots, hipsack life inflatable life jacket, wallet with $10, Driver's license, Credit Cards, etc, and Cell Phone (not functional anymore).

 

It is great to see that there are good people out there that are honest and true!

[EYESAILOR 1,108]

Worthy story.

 

Just re read this in light of other reports.

[U20guy2 9]

Here is a crazy after story!

 

First, I recieved my soft sided cooler in the mail from someone that found it on by Chamber's Island and assumed it was ours after hearing of our adventure. The individual returned the cooler less the animal crackers and pretels that didn't make it, however the coffee packages were still good.

 

Next, my gear bag was found and shipped back to me! What is amazing is the location it was found. It traveled all the way from Green Bay by Marinette/Menomonee to Point Betsie on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan! The individual tracked us down through facebook. Returned was my bag, foul weather gear, dingy boots, hipsack life inflatable life jacket, wallet with $10, Driver's license, Credit Cards, etc, and Cell Phone (not functional anymore).

 

It is great to see that there are good people out there that are honest and true!

 

Wow thats crazy! Also cool that people tracked you down and got your gear back to you.

[Tiger 20 0]

Here is a crazy after story!

 

First, I recieved my soft sided cooler in the mail from someone that found it on by Chamber's Island and assumed it was ours after hearing of our adventure. The individual returned the cooler less the animal crackers and pretels that didn't make it, however the coffee packages were still good.

 

Next, my gear bag was found and shipped back to me! What is amazing is the location it was found. It traveled all the way from Green Bay by Marinette/Menomonee to Point Betsie on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan! The individual tracked us down through facebook. Returned was my bag, foul weather gear, dingy boots, hipsack life inflatable life jacket, wallet with $10, Driver's license, Credit Cards, etc, and Cell Phone (not functional anymore).

 

It is great to see that there are good people out there that are honest and true!

 

Wow thats crazy! Also cool that people tracked you down and got your gear back to you.

+1. There are a lot of good people out there. You just don't hear about them as much.

[smackdaddy 340]

Here is a crazy after story!

 

First, I recieved my soft sided cooler in the mail from someone that found it on by Chamber's Island and assumed it was ours after hearing of our adventure. The individual returned the cooler less the animal crackers and pretels that didn't make it, however the coffee packages were still good.

 

Next, my gear bag was found and shipped back to me! What is amazing is the location it was found. It traveled all the way from Green Bay by Marinette/Menomonee to Point Betsie on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan! The individual tracked us down through facebook. Returned was my bag, foul weather gear, dingy boots, hipsack life inflatable life jacket, wallet with $10, Driver's license, Credit Cards, etc, and Cell Phone (not functional anymore).

 

It is great to see that there are good people out there that are honest and true!

 

Wow thats crazy! Also cool that people tracked you down and got your gear back to you.

 

Hell yeah!! Go the Good!