Pursuit Capsized

[skippingtrout]

My buddy's 20 foot center console capsized last week on lake Michigan 5 miles out putting all 5 fishermen in the water for almost 3 hours waiting to be rescued. Read news link:

http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/07/good_samaritans_rescue_boaters.html

This story seems "fishy" to me. I was told that the weather was ok 2-3 footers. Why would this boat just flip? I thought Pursuit was a good brand. I have a 19 foot Sea-Pro CC I could never imagine my boat flipping. I bought my CC to fish the rough waters of lake michigan, and was envious of the more expensive Pursuit. I'm no longer envious. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Skippingtrout

 

[g-50cab]

Re: Pursuit Capsized

not sure you can blame it on the boat

 

[redfury]

Re: Pursuit Capsized

The 21-foot Pursuit boat overturned as one of the men was trying to reel in a fish and the boat was in a downswell, suddenly leaving them standing in ankle-deep water. Too many of the men moved to one side, as did the water, and the boat overturned, Guardsman Andrew Duhaime said.

I would keep your envy brewing for the Pursuit.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Pursuit Capsized

5 guys on a 20' boat?

 

[alamosaddles]

Re: Pursuit Capsized

I would keep your envy brewing for the Pursuit.

Most small boats (to me, anything under 25ft is small), when they take on significant water (the story says the boat filled "ankle deep" with water) and the POB all shift to the same side, has a very good chance of completely tipping, even more so if there are waves and swells adding to the mix. The guy is reeling in a fish, likely a large fish, the boat is already listing due to that, they take on water and the crew all assemble to the same side as the fisherman listing the boat and the water swishing to the same side. A recipe for disaster. Keep the load always properly distributed on a small boat otherwise, this may happen.

 

[alamosaddles]

Re: Pursuit Capsized

5 guys on a 20' boat?

Why not? My 19ft bay is rated for 7....It's not how many, it's how the load is distributed.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Pursuit Capsized

Boats are rated for a number of people or total weight, whichever is less.
What is your weight rating?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Pursuit Capsized

captain paying attention the fish, not the conditions. several months ago, 30 miles off Ponce Inlet a 35 foot Pursuit, capsized, in extremely rough conditions, another captian error, not watching the weather.

 

[alamosaddles]

Re: Pursuit Capsized

Boats are rated for a number of people or total weight, whichever is less.
What is your weight rating?

1350 lbs

 

[MikDee]

Re: Pursuit Capsized

Most small boats (to me, anything under 25ft is small), when they take on significant water (the story says the boat filled "ankle deep" with water) and the POB all shift to the same side, has a very good chance of completely tipping, even more so if there are waves and swells adding to the mix. The guy is reeling in a fish, likely a large fish, the boat is already listing due to that, they take on water and the crew all assemble to the same side as the fisherman listing the boat and the water swishing to the same side. A recipe for disaster. Keep the load always properly distributed on a small boat otherwise, this may happen.

My thoughts as well, plus 5 guys on a 20 footer? It's not the style boat that's matters, stuff happens.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Pursuit Capsized

1350 lbs

"the boat was in a downswell, suddenly leaving them standing in ankle-deep water" grand Rapid Press July 22, 2008 17:15PM

The number of people and the weight determine capacity, but the sum of the weight of the men does not determine the amount of weight you have in the boat.

1000# (5 men @ 200#)
160# (20 gal fuel)
120# (tackle, coolers, instrumentation)
30# (anchor, rope, vests)
_____
1310 #

Add 1000# for water on the deck and wet men, I think the "Minnow would have been lost"

 

[alamosaddles]

Re: Pursuit Capsized

"the boat was in a downswell, suddenly leaving them standing in ankle-deep water" grand Rapid Press July 22, 2008 17:15PM

The number of people and the weight determine capacity, but the sum of the weight of the men does not determine the amount of weight you have in the boat.

1000# (5 men @ 200#)
160# (20 gal fuel)
120# (tackle, coolers, instrumentation)
30# (anchor, rope, vests)
_____
1310 #

Add 1000# for water on the deck and wet men, I think the "Minnow would have been lost"

I'm not sure I understand the jist of this post here.....He asked me what my boat was rated for, 1350 lbs....

On a separate note, as an experienced boater and a former CG officer, I understand that the weight classification is total weight on board, inclusive of people, gear, etc.