Background:
Incisor rated at ~115
J29 rated at ~119
J30 rated at ~140
would be fast end of the Spin B fleet here in FL.
My guess it was lighter weight than a J30. perhaps 20%?
The rescue was daylight hours ... no way could this have been successful after dark and that was the difference in recovering the crew alive. Several news reports mentioned mast problems on the Radiant Heat ... as well.
they never seem to acknowledge GUST strength. and often seem to average wind speeds which is extremely misleading when we are out there and have rooster tails off our stantion bases. Last year we had a race down here at 25 ... with gusts to 38... duh ... no spins that race.
----- added note from another blog I follow from NW Washington near Georgia Strait re weekend:
"We were hammered repeatedly with gusts and I watched the wind speed range from 8-33 over a 4 second period. Nasty stuff to sail in. There were several that were just really big and I got out in time to see "55 knots" and sat amazed as it touched down at the mooring we had been tied to earlier. It just looked like the explosion of mist from a snow making machine (times 5). "
Last edited by Cap'n Vic; 04/04/10 09:53 PM. Reason: note from NW Washington
