It has taken a while but I finally managed my first capsize in Catatonic yesterday evening. It was pretty breezy (F3/F4) and I was racing single handed. Upwind was great but on my 2nd lap I ended up going in to windward just after bearing away round the windward mark. I have capsized many times in Enterprises but always to leeward so taking a swim under the mainsail was a first for me.
I was really pleased how easily she came back up once I was on the centreboard. Much less effort than righting my old Enterprise.
There wasn't enough wind initially to drain the boat through the transom flaps so I just sailed on still swamped. After rounding the leeward mark I got stuck in irons. I backed the jib to get her to turn out of irons and unfortunately a gust caught the jib and I capsized again.
Eventually the wind became strong enough for me to try the 'sit well back and drain' on a beam reach. I probably got 75% of the water out.
In a recent race I was fully hiked and about to tack when I got hit by a serious header and found myself trapped on the sidedeck with the rig leaning over me and water pouring in over the sidedeck. My crew was surprised when I opted to drop into the river in order to avert the capsize. I scrambled back in and we carried on!
The dinghy sailors at Twickenham are watching my early attempts at racing a 12 with considerable amusement! Hopefully within a few months I will be doing the boat justice.
My early racing results are terrible but I am really enjoying 12 sailing.
Keep up with it, and the wettings that happen from time to time. As all of can testify the wettings are worth it.
:)