What happens when the boat capsizes?
One of the first questions we get when people are interested in the class is “what happens when the boat capsizes?” Depending on the depth of water the boats can fully flip over, there are “top of mast flotation aids” or “foam filled wing masts” to prevent 180 degrees flips. Obviously, none of us want to lose our boats and there are a few checks to make before sailing:
- Choose a stretch of water where access to the shoreline is accessible.
- Avoid water where there are islands or clumps of weed/debris.
- How to recover the boat if it capsizes:
- With a rescue boat, but the boat crew need to understand how to gently right a multihull and not damage crossbeams in the process.
- With a floatation device on the masthead (a common solution in the UK) or sheets of foam inside the mainsail pocket luff so that the boat can drift to the shore on its side?
- With a telescopic fishing rod with a lasso on the end of the line, to catch an upturned foil or rudder.
- Will your electrics get damaged if the boat capsizes?
- Check carefully how water might get inside the hull(s) and short out the electrics. Common areas where this can occur are sheeting to and from the winch, and receiver aerials.
How can I get information on the Mini 40?
The class association members will happily provide those interested in joining the class details of where best to obtain hulls, plans, rigs and fittings.
Why are there foiling and non-foiling boats?
The pre 2000 designs tend to be non-foiling builds but there encouraged to sail so there are 2 Divisions Non-Foiling and Foiling. There is nothing stopping a new design of non-foiler to be sailed.
Why are there Catamarans and Trimarans Hulls?
Like in the full-size boats it is the builders/owners to which they prefer. Some builders have designed and built Tri-foilers (based around the Hydroptere)
What is the story with the different types of rigs?
Once again it is the choice of the builder/owner, there are different sail plans:
- The conventional jib and mainsail
- Wing main and Jib
- Solid wing and jib
- Single una rig
- Double una rig
- Anything goes as long it is under 0.9m2 in area.