[MHml] FW: Mac race multihull capsizes

[Dave Culp]

On 4/24/06, Ira Heller <sailfast at themultihullsource.com> (Quoting Ron White,
I believe) wrote:
>
>
> 4. No monohulls have sunk or otherwise requested outside assistance
> over the same time period
>
> 5. In the entire 100 year history of the race one boat, in 1912, the
> yacht Vincedor, was lost on the rocks off of Charlevoix in gale
> conditions. For the next two years the race was stopped at Harbor
> Springs because some felt it was too dangerous to race through Gray's
> reef in storm conditions.
>
> 6. No other sinkings have occurred.


 As with most statistical arguments, this one leaves out more than it
includes. During the long and storied history of the Mac, many monohulls
have requested outside assistance--as for removal of injured crewmen,
dismastings, engine failures, etc, etc. Just as every multihull capsize does
not end in death and destruction, neither does every monohull emergency
include a sinking. All Coast Guard vessels and choppers include
high-capacity pumps, carried specifically for keeping heavier-than-water
boats on the surface. Do they do this because it is unnecessary? The above
statistical "facts" would have you believe so.

Dave
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