RAINMAKER DISMASTED OFF HATTERAS IN GALE

[Monkey]

Fuck it. Clean did his usual promise/retreat dance. Anybody checking the front page for the results of his investigation? Yeah, I'm not either.

Yet somehow foolish companies keep paying money to a washed up radio hack and a failed lawyer who has an epic record of promising stories, yet also holds an epic record for failing to deliver. I'd love to read a front page story where dumb and dumber grew up and got jobs.

 

[Monkey]

And in case I wasn't clear. SA has adopted the gutless coward approach they supposedly hate. They tow whatever line a sponsor lays down.

 

[bigmarv]

Jaybird,

- post 754 on this thread, weeks in, and we learn that one engine still ran? Why did they abandon then?

- "this was a very unique situation involving a unique boat, the lessons learned are for the few others owners of GB55's, and Gunboat". You serious? Why was it unique? The wind was unique? a unique squall? a unique wave! or a unique to GB55 set of design problems? I thought you were all starting to say that a carbon mast buckling under shockloads on a fast but reefed cat wasn't unique either. Seriously, what is unique?

- at least the "unique" point means we can put aside this idea that it was because of legal advice. They're telling you, Soma, and other friendlies. It's just cynical PR I guess.

Anyway, gunboat can go jump. All of this press about how great it is, all these slick and detailed puff pieces, and then suddenly certain issues are too unique for us who had it shoved down our throats all this time.

If the full story is too difficult to package for us mere mortals out here, I guess it might still be swallowed by some rich idiot who thinks his reflection in his carbon boat somehow makes him look thin, young and sporty. Rich idiots won't do a google search and find this forum, will they?

 

[spike]

Soak ed,there are two engines, while one was compromised the other was functioning however maneuverability was severely limited.

Bigmarv, this was a very unique situation involving a unique boat, the lessons learned are for the few others owners of GB55's, and Gunboat , CB has been in touch with all of them, in fact he was having a bowl of rice with Soma and the owners of 5502 yesterday. The story may come out, but I won't promise anything, that is until I finish the screenplay.

Jaybird, methinks you were on the boat.

 

[NoStrings]

Jesus, this is ridiculous. PJ, you're losing credibility by the fucking hour. So how about just telling everyone what happened. It'll hurt one hell of a lot less than this death by a thousand cuts. Christ, I'll even work for you guys as your spokesman. You need someone that's for damn sure.

And Scott/Clean: Don't you two fuckers ever make another comment about Craig Leweck. You guys have sold out.

 

[βhyde]

And Scott/Clean: Don't you two fuckers ever make another comment about Craig Leweck. You guys have sold out.

No shit. At least Craig wouldn't have promised a write up and then gone into stealth mode.

How does that song go? "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss..."

 

[NoStrings]

B, don't get shocked if you and I get the flick for telling it like it is.

 

[estarzinger]

How did the props get fouled if they operated under power briefly after the rig was cleared? We'd know if the story was told. Lacking that, all we can do is speculate that the very experienced captain didn't check for lines over the side before chucking it in gear.

Spinning plates colliding...

To change the topic just a little . . . I am curious how thick the glass is on this GB . . . Anyone know?

Dashew's structural engineer required 25mm glass for offshore, for windows that look to have a shorter span than the GB's. But that is very heavy, and I suspect the GB had nowhere near that. I am guessing it is in the 6-10mm range, but curious to know.

Back in the day, one put storm covers on much smaller windows before going offshore.

 

[us7070]

Fuck it. Clean did his usual promise/retreat dance. Anybody checking the front page for the results of his investigation? Yeah, I'm not either.

Yet somehow foolish companies keep paying money to a washed up radio hack and a failed lawyer who has an epic record of promising stories, yet also holds an epic record for failing to deliver. I'd love to read a front page story where dumb and dumber grew up and got jobs.

i haven't really ever been one to defend clean.., but...

i don't think he promised an "investigation"

rather.., i think he said one person was going to tell him what happened.., and he was going to write up that person's account.., and publish it

i have no idea why we haven't read that account

but one possibility is that the person who was giving the account retracted his permission for clean to publish it.

why might he have done that?

maybe because he got tired of the seeing the continual stream of callous personal insults leveled at himself.., the owner.., and the rest of the crew

 

[weightless]

...this was a very unique situation involving a unique boat, the lessons learned are for the few others owners of GB55's, and Gunboat ...

That sounds pretty unique. But, not in a good way.

 

[bigmarv]

I miss the PJ who posted so profusely at times like this:

http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=122197&st=0

it's interesting reading such openness about safety, hull flying, and how Chris White's boats were for "mom and pop". At one point he says

"Let's hear what you think about CW's various claims. SA usually has several 'claims police'. Anyone else want to pitch in here?"

What's good for the goose...

 

[USA190520]

How does one get this story?

Unique up on it and pounce...

 

[NoStrings]

Fuck it. Clean did his usual promise/retreat dance. Anybody checking the front page for the results of his investigation? Yeah, I'm not either.

Yet somehow foolish companies keep paying money to a washed up radio hack and a failed lawyer who has an epic record of promising stories, yet also holds an epic record for failing to deliver. I'd love to read a front page story where dumb and dumber grew up and got jobs.

i haven't really ever been one to defend clean.., but...

i don't think he promised an "investigation"

rather.., i think he said one person was going to tell him what happened.., and he was going to write up that person's account.., and publish it

i have no idea why we haven't read that account

but one possibility is that the person who was giving the account retracted his permission for clean to publish it.

why might he have done that?

maybe because he got tired of the seeing the continual stream of callous personal insults leveled at himself.., the owner.., and the rest of the crew

Please man, you're much smarter than this. It isn't like SA lacks a certain reputation.

 

[Ishmael]

Fuck it. Clean did his usual promise/retreat dance. Anybody checking the front page for the results of his investigation? Yeah, I'm not either.

Yet somehow foolish companies keep paying money to a washed up radio hack and a failed lawyer who has an epic record of promising stories, yet also holds an epic record for failing to deliver. I'd love to read a front page story where dumb and dumber grew up and got jobs.

i haven't really ever been one to defend clean.., but...

i don't think he promised an "investigation"

rather.., i think he said one person was going to tell him what happened.., and he was going to write up that person's account.., and publish it

i have no idea why we haven't read that account

but one possibility is that the person who was giving the account retracted his permission for clean to publish it.

why might he have done that?

maybe because he got tired of the seeing the continual stream of callous personal insults leveled at himself.., the owner.., and the rest of the crew

Please man, you're much smarter than this. It isn't like SA lacks a certain reputation.

The total vanishing act of Clean tells a story right there.

 

[dacarls]

Back in the day--- They didn't call them little round windows "deadlights" for no reason. A "seaman" in distress could maybe stuff a kapok life jacket into them and keep some serious water out. Note use of term "seamen".

Have there been any of those type of folks posting here recently?

Just askin'/ sayin'.... This whole thing is pretty sad.

And I wonder what my grandpa, a year-round Great Lakes "steamboat" man would have said.

 

[bigmarv]

Evans, I've wondered the same thing. I've asked questions about the design expectations of that structure but they don't get answered. Soma and the other guy who have spoken to the skipper will probably have an idea, and will know whether they were standing in broken glass. Guys, do you know?

Most pilot house monohulls I've been on have downflood measures in case a window goes in the house, even though the windows are bloody strong. And even if not installing storm shutters, you might still carry some plywood in case of troubles. But I've never seen windows intended to survive greenies with a span like the 55 and it's hard to imagine the engineering adding up to enough strength. Hard to imagine shutters, too. Plus the GB windows are much more vertical than (eg) the sundeers making them less capable of shedding wave energy. I doubt that the owner's manual recommended carrying 8 sheets of 1/2" marine ply and fastenings.

I think it's said that the GB's hulls had watertight hatches to keep them closed up, but I'm not sure on details. But I'd wager that their average buyer would not have properly envisaged the "indoor/outdoor flow" that comes if wind and waves turn it into basically an open deck cat. Suddenly in the force of it, un-harnessed, cold, etc. Could be quite a shock.

But then it always looked to me like it was one wave away from being the sort of open decked race boat that I could afford to actually buy.

 

[sunseeker]

How did the props get fouled if they operated under power briefly after the rig was cleared? We'd know if the story was told. Lacking that, all we can do is speculate that the very experienced captain didn't check for lines over the side before chucking it in gear.

Spinning plates colliding...

To change the topic just a little . . . I am curious how thick the glass is on this GB . . . Anyone know?
Dashew's structural engineer required 25mm glass for offshore, for windows that look to have a shorter span than the GB's. But that is very heavy, and I suspect the GB had nowhere near that. I am guessing it is in the 6-10mm range, but curious to know.

Back in the day, one put storm covers on much smaller windows before going offshore.

Do we know for sure what the material is? Might it have been a plastic?
Either way, there is a bunch of area.

Gunboat is making a classic crisis management mistake. They are letting others frame the story.

 

[kent_island_sailor]

I think that "glass" was never intended to function like pilot house glass in a storm. Think of it as a giant hard top dodger.

How did the props get fouled if they operated under power briefly after the rig was cleared? We'd know if the story was told. Lacking that, all we can do is speculate that the very experienced captain didn't check for lines over the side before chucking it in gear.

Spinning plates colliding...

To change the topic just a little . . . I am curious how thick the glass is on this GB . . . Anyone know?

Dashew's structural engineer required 25mm glass for offshore, for windows that look to have a shorter span than the GB's. But that is very heavy, and I suspect the GB had nowhere near that. I am guessing it is in the 6-10mm range, but curious to know.

Back in the day, one put storm covers on much smaller windows before going offshore.

 

[TBone]

Fuck it. Clean did his usual promise/retreat dance. Anybody checking the front page for the results of his investigation? Yeah, I'm not either.

Yet somehow foolish companies keep paying money to a washed up radio hack and a failed lawyer who has an epic record of promising stories, yet also holds an epic record for failing to deliver. I'd love to read a front page story where dumb and dumber grew up and got jobs.

i haven't really ever been one to defend clean.., but...

i don't think he promised an "investigation"

rather.., i think he said one person was going to tell him what happened.., and he was going to write up that person's account.., and publish it

i have no idea why we haven't read that account

but one possibility is that the person who was giving the account retracted his permission for clean to publish it.

why might he have done that?

maybe because he got tired of the seeing the continual stream of callous personal insults leveled at himself.., the owner.., and the rest of the crew

Please man, you're much smarter than this. It isn't like SA lacks a certain reputation.

The total vanishing act of Clean tells a story right there.

No surprise in that. There are "interests" to be protected. Alan likely knows what there is to be known, but will remain mute. The rest of us are simply left to drive up SA's hit rate wondering.

Winner!

 

[ropetrick]

The wheel and control station looked like it needed to be kept dry. It did not look waterproof.

I did not notice any foot chocks or method of staying in control of the wheel when things get lumpy.