Yachting Monthly's Crash Test Boat Capsize 

The lesson I got from this test is; if you're ocean sailing, make sure that everything is secured whenever you're not using it.

The Crash Test boat was a well-used 1982 Jeanneau Sun Fizz 40ft ketch which was bought for these tests by the philanthropic boss of Admiral Yacht Insurance, Robert Holbrook. After the dismasting, fire, 'sinking' and gas explosion tests she was donated to the International Boat Building Training College, in Suffolk, as a teaching aid for students on a practical small craft surveying course.

This was absolutely phenomenal (and a bit frightening) to watch. Bravo Yachting Monthly team!

Been there, done that, Hurricane Bob 1991, 120 Miles off the coast of New Jersey, USA, one month before the perfect storm, rolled 11 times, 120 + Knots of breeze, 70 ft seas = 10 days in a life raft !!!

Great piece of work by all involved. Interesting that so many years after Fastnet we still haven't integrated latches and fastening that keep things in place as standard yacht design and manufacturing. The cushions just need some velcro to stop it flying around. Quite amazed at the amount of water entering the boat. Would be good if the yachting industry took the same approach as Formula 1. Continue to improve the safety standards while still building fast and innovative designs. You pay all that money and still have to make it safe for use when you really need it.

There's me scrimping and saving for a yacht and these guys just go an mess one up. Such a beautiful yacht too!

What a powerful and frightening video. Hope that never happens. Just image the devastation had the boat been fully provisioned for an ocean crossing. Certainly given me something to think about. Thanks for doing this.

compulsory viewing for anybody taking a small boat to sea!!! YM's "crash test boat"-series: the very best contribution towards safety on a small boat that I've seen in a lifetime of "messing about in boats". (but better don't show it to your lady before you set off...!)

Some boats right themselves and some don't. Some boats go all the way over, and some don't. The trouble with boat designs is that it's a perfect 2x2 matrix: You can have a boat that's dynamically stable but not ultimately stable -- which is what you want b/c that means it doesn't roll but doesn't stay, but you can also have the *exact* *opposite*. The scary thing about the big Vendee Globe boats, for example, is that once they go over, they stay that way.

Guys, thank you for running this test It has certainly food for thought. If you don't change your routines/disciplines after watching this, then you are foolhardy.

Sad to see such a lovely boat going through these tests, but really informative at the same time. Real food for thought. On the Fastnet race I seem to remember one of the skippers got hit by a flying can or pot, while at the nav station that rendered him unconscious, in the end caused his death. Such a tragedy, RIP to all the souls lost in that horrendous storm.

Very interesting video. It seemed alot of water was coming from the high side as she rolled. Must have been trapped there from before. Great test though. P.S. is that boat going cheap now?!

A lot to learn from this if I ever bought a boat for offshore sailing. Especially the 'battening down the hatches' example. So easy to fit a bungee or retainer system across locker doors & hatches etc. You just wouldn't think of the boat ever being upside down.

Good tips. Even dirty dishes lying around vs clean and stowed can knock you out!

Im 5 yeays late. But this has become my favorite channel thanks guys

Thank you so much fot this test. A real eye opening sight that brings you closer to reality and the need to plan seriously for risk avoidance on board. Better see it now before it happens to you unprepared.

Thanks Bill Murray

Very interesting. Kudos for doing this. Pointing out the obvious, however, a real capsize would be infinitely more violent, as it would also almost certainly involve the boat's being dropped and forcefully pummeled, not just gently nudged over. And that is not to mention a pitch-pole.

Thanks for showing us this experiment!

In the beginning I thought someone was gonna man up and go for a ride

This is a very disturbing and eye-opening video.Before seeing this I thought that a boat like that would automatically turn up again after a capsize.I only was worried about a broken mast and rig hanging in the water and pulling the hull into a very dangerous angle and than taking to much water through broken hatches etc.Now, after seeing this, and considering buying a new boat, I will try to get more informations about the ability of turtling, sealed compartments, fixed or locked floorboards, etc.I just want to have the confidence when it might happen to me, that the boat will come up again (turtle), stay tight, and when the storm is over I can try to fix the damage and maybe bring up some kind of improvised mast.And I hope that I can get the engine running.Anyway, thanks to Yachting Monthly. (y)

Hmm. Good video and lots of food for thought. Maybe yachts - and motorboats too - ought to be crash tested to meet a set standard before being marketed. It raises the question why so much heavy stuff like sole boards aren't equiipped with latches that will keep them in place in a roll-over.Why don't so-called "lockers" actually lock - automatically? In real life of course no yacht - with its mast and sails underwater - would right itself so quickly . Some would never go upright.

A test like this is great. Thanks monthly team good insight makes decision making easy. Obviously none of us wants to experience a capsize or do a test real live as you did, It is my opinion that aboard a yacht everything should have its own dedicated place and everything should be locked/secured. Often that seems unpractical in daily use as I live aboard. I can tell you it is just a habit of putting things back were they belong and it keps us ready to sail anytime. This test proofs how important it is to secure your covers under cushioning. BTW They are easy to secure with some Velcro or a bin/hole connections. If that prevents tons of canned food or batteries etc. to fly through the air this small investment might save a life if you do capsize. It is my experience that even in a hefty storm things start to get there own life and forces in a cabin can be extremely high. Ones something has a speed, even when it is soft, it can actually hurt you and wound you. A simple candle could actually penetrate a wooden door. This test also shows how happy this keel boat is to turn back. I think that development should be more on that side and I hope you keep on doing more test. Walter SY Vage Kennis

Brilliant vid guys =) I love figuring out what's going on down there when boats you see find their hulls in direct sunlight. Some of those boats you see getting slammed from the waves are just so strong. hope the boat recovered. =)

This is very interesting! I feel like buying latches and straps and adding them to my boat! Thank you for the test!

Super movie. Thanks 👍

Scary, but she righted herself, and that was amazing! That was good to see.

Is this self-righting? It seems it was helped back over by the crane.

Interesting, like a slow motion car crash but with way more deadly flying items. Definitely cause to consider adding latches to things that aren't in frequent use though.As someone wanting to get into boating this actually reassures me more than anything that it didn't start filling up much faster and floated for a while. If you were in this position at sea, how would you get out? Opening the companionway seems like it would flood it fast. Down through a hatch and hope the air pressure held (moon-pool style) long enough not to flood too fast?

Lets not forget is even though this seemed a little unnerving. This was also in very calm waters with zero swell, zero chop, zero wave heights & troughs & Zero wind speed. Now add hurricane force winds & loud sounds with the boat pitching & rolling filling violently with water as your crew mates all screaming & shouting going on. That’ll take a scary level 3 or 4 to scary level 50+ in seconds. Question 2) at what point does one contemplate leaving the boat before it starts to descend to bottom of ocean- at surface, 5 feet down, 10 feet down or reached the substrate?

yes, from 2 sources: the main entry to the cabin from the cockpit, and from the air vents (which can be shutoff to prevent spray/rain from getting in, but don't hold up to being submerged). I don't know why they didn't explain that.

When the boat was completely upside down, did it take pressure from the crane to upright? I didn't think that would be possible, maybe I misunderstand what i think i'm seeing. And, not to underplay what would obviously be a crisis, "days to clean up" really illustrates your point about the 79 Fastnet. You -could- clean this up in days. The boat rolled to be sitting intact & high in the water. Great video, as always.

"really frightening" My feelings exactly. Scary stuff when you think this could happen to you if you're not careful and "maybe" even if you are being careful.

It's amazing how far it had to heel to tip

did the boat self right or do they keep tugging until it does ?

The amount of water seemed negligible to! Me.... I dont mind being damp but afloat..... I'm wondering how much force was needed to right her..... Cuz I would want to know how hard it would be to rig something to right one.... I have owned catamarans 18 foot and you can right them the masts don't off either... I'm very curious about what would happen with full mast and sail.... And what can be done to get back up right..... Small cats can have a rubber bouy at the top of the mast to prevent turtling.... And if they turtle they can still be righted with difficulty.... And like the man said stay with the boat until she goes down.... And definitely have a life boat that will actually let you sail somewhere....

The straps that the crane was pulling wrapped around the boat and attached to the top deck of the boat so when it was upside down the crane kept pulling on the straps to flip the boat right-side up. In a real capsize the boat may stay keel-up for a while unless a wave helps flip it over.

How would you get out if the boat is upside down?

Interesting and educational series. BUT WHY on such a nice yacht?!?!?! This thing could have easily been restored to glory.

this video turned my world upside down

On my new 1976 Challenger 35, ketch, the hatch was always closed if the was any wind or waves of any size or speed. In big wind and, or waves the hatch was always closed and all crew in the cockpit used regulation self-inflating PFD's properly fastened with a clipped on safety line attached to a secure point stanchion base plate or something of equal security. The idea was to never, ever accidently go overboard.

You state water came from vents, but was wondering if all seacocks were shut and if you are running a dry bilge.

can you explain where all the water came from?

I Wonder , was the bildge system able to work , or was it all shorted out ??

what kind of boat is that it looks a bit like a hunter but ive never seen a hunter with a closed cockpit

Unless your going to try it on various yachts it's hard to say what would happen, but the yacht would sail.

Do you sell these boats for cheap when you're done with them?

Great test guys! Greetings from Greece!

What is the procedure for escaping a yacht like this turtled 180 degrees? Or are you just screwed at the point?

That Jeanneau was pretty stable up side down :-( the crane needed to pull it back upward... I would have love to see a boat whit a better capsize screnning ratio doing this test.

In open seas you would have the mast on and it would pitch and roll,sometimes they just auto RIGHT-am surprised how dry inside is

She might not have rolled over again to right herself so quickly had her mast been up and sails deployed. With mast intact and sails fully submerged, the force necessary to move water surrounding her sailcloth might have been too great.

If a destroyed boat saves a life it was well worth it. When a boat does capsize, it would more than likely not be able to be righted. At which point would a boat capsize, when enough water has been added to the boat that it rides low enough in the water the sails could create enough momentum to counter act the weight of the keel? With sealed bulkheads what is the best way to manage a flooded boat.

if you guys where paying attention... he said the water came from the air vents and the open hatch

Awesome

The Is A Land Mark Demonstration. It should be Rwquired Viewing for anyone venturing into steep seas and strong winds.

What about the batteries? I've been on boats where they have not been properly secured.

Guys, what kind of boat is it? Looks very tough!

What is the brand of this yacht?

would like to see this test with at least one interior cam with a gyroscopic mount to get a real feel for the harrowing experience. also, must be nice to be able to afford to intentionally flip such a nice boat

i think the weight under the boat is heavy enough to pull the boat over once it is leaning to one of the sides

Reminds me of a bender I had in college one night.

Infamous Fastnet Race date was 1979.

They gon end up selling it and labeling it as light used, slight flood damage.

What make is the Crash Boat?

Fy faen, is a good norwegian word for this...wow.

Why waste a perfectly good cruiser?

Maybe need a new design with a metal construction and actual sealed hatches similar to a Sub.

Hmm, much like rollovers in heavy military vehicles. You don't want it to happen, it's not fun, it's scary, you can live but still get jacked up.

not exactly true though, this test is is only part of what, how, would it have self righted with its mast and sails ? good to see though

There's no where near as much water or damage or carnage as I thought there would be.

Much less snap righting itself than the E4...interesting

i became confused at the whole interior cam and exterior cam bit...thought perhaps it was the other way around...

I expected significantly more water above the floor when righted.

That boat would have remained capsized if the crane didn’t start to pull on it again. You can see the crane straps continue to lift after the boat is completely capsized.

Look at Roger Taylor’s Ming Ming 1-2; sailboats. I’m willing to bet his boats would capsize and not a drop would enter the boat. True seagoing boats built for under $15000 US

If today's sailboats can do this then there should be no fear at all of capsizing.

beautiful yacht... can i have it!

An upside down boat should be holding a sizable air pocket. Additionally, with suitably mounted auto-inflating devices on the mast and gunwale, right sizing or even preventing capsizing should be readily and cheaply achievable. These things could be treated as safety equipment like fire extinguishers. Interior designers also have to respect the fact that an occupied boat can turn upside down.

Wow, that was interesting. I think it took a little more than 180* to capsize a sailboat.

Next test. Yacht fire. After they decided to use a waterlogged electric drill

this is way too nice of a yacht to destroy :(

This is terrifying.

im feeling sick after watching this

Guy looks like Bill Murray. Kind of sounds like him to.

That boat would of never recovered with out your Your crane or heavy Sea’s I’ll stick with a Garcia, Exsped 41

kinda looks like inception

So correct me if I'm wrong. "The way to make sailing safer" is: 1. Seal all hatches. 2. Net up the galley. 3. Tape or nail (!) shut all shelves and bunks. So that you cannot: 1. Breathe 2. Eat or drink 3. Take anything out or put anything back in 4. Enjoy the sailing because there is no fresh air, clean clothes or food available. Also, you come to a conclusion that people abandoned their boats because "they were terrified" after their boats turtled in Force 11 storm while your test showed that in completely calm waters of this pond the turtled boat can stay afloat if you roll it back over with a crane that stands onshore just as you do. The question I have is this. Do you find this video as blitheringly idiotic as I do? Or more?

If the video's go with the boat you could get a better price, if you change the name to ....Flipper!

If a sloth could talk human this is what it would sound like

So, the lesson is: when you go to sea, EVERYTHING must be either strapped down or in a sealed compartment. You cook dinner.... you wash the dishes and stow them before eating ect.

boats should be developed thinking about it.

Не розумію як вона перевертається. Чому без щогли цікаво

Good Luck selling that Yacht NOW.

Next time you want to do that, we can exchange boats... I can give you mine and you can give me yours :D

yeah but it doesnt have the fucking mast on does it. thats so much inertia

# Yacht Travel

Did anyone else read the title and thought they Capsized a Yacht Monthly?

a child in Africa coulda ate that.

Damn he's got the most boring voice . . .