Rough Seas - Flybridge Collapsed

[dbsea]

I had a rather harrowing experience on the boat last week. What was supposed to be a very short, simple crossing of the sound between Elliott Bay Marina and Port Madison on Bainbridge, ended up being one of the roughest and scariest experiences I've had on the boat - and I've logged lots of hours on it in the last 5 years. The conditions called for 5-10kn of wind, and 2ft seas or less. When I left EBM, the sun was shining and there was some light chop - no biggie. When I got further out towards Discovery point, the conditions worsened severely, to approx. 4ft waves and 20-25kn wind from the north - definitely not in the forecast. I would have been fine had I not hit a big wave hard, and my entire flybridge collapsed. the force popped the legs out of their holders, and the gas shocks couldn't hold it up. With every wave that I hit, it slammed against the roof of the boat. I repeatedly went up on the bridge to try and remedy it, only to have it come crashing down again with the next wave. It caused some mild gelcoat damage, thankfully no worse. I managed to get to Port Madison mostly unscathed, save a few good bruises. I also lost both the solar panels off my 3/4 enclosure top, despite being held down with magnets that are supposed to be rated up to 60mph. Thankfully I got a deal with the company and getting two new ones soon before the big summer cruise to Desolation Sound.

Has anyone ever modified the flybridge on a C30CB so that it CANNOT be hinged down? I really don't want this to happen again, and my boat is permanently moored in under cover moorage so won't ever be trailered as long as I own it.

 

[scross]

Glad you are ok Dave! I understand how terrifying it can be to be stuck in those conditions with no nearby shelter.
Our venture into completely unforcast 4 ft by 4 sec. waves with 20kt winds in the Malaspina Strait did about $2k in damage to strapped down gear, bow gelcoat from a runaway anchor and bent up stainless cockpit fixtures.
Like your damage, ours was quickly repaired or replaced. Can’t say the same for my nerves - I never want to do that again!
Good luck with the modifications to your C-30 to strengthen it against those conditions - which I hope you never encounter again!

 

[Levitation]

Driving a boat into hard oncoming waves will reveal any shortcomings in the design and construction. When it reaches the point the boat starts slamming a wise captain slows way down, quarters the waves and considers if turning back or coming to a different heading to calmer water is the better course over proceeding. I am happy it worked out for you.

 

[Chimo]

Driving a boat into hard oncoming waves will reveal any shortcomings in the design and construction. When it reaches the point the boat starts slamming a wise captain slows way down, quarters the waves and considers if turning back or coming to a different heading to calmer water is the better course over proceeding. I am happy it worked out for you.

All good and well known advice. At a point, certainly with the higher COG and sail effect of a fly bridge, attempting to quarter or turn in steep, short frequency waves can lead to a broach. Once the fly bridge came loose one can only really go by what is the best course at the time. Sounds like this skipper handled the situation well.