A discussion on a recent sinking of a Precision 18 sailboat and some safety recommendations for sailing small or light sailboats.

The April 2023 sinking was a 1985 P-18 named "Cuddlefish". The boat was sailing downwind with full sails under the control of the autotiller with the mainsheet cleated. The boat was hit by an initial strong gust and the captain went forward with the intention of taking down the sails when the second gust hit and capsized the boat. Both aboard were safely pulled from the water by another nearby boat.

In the 2011 incident, the captain was an inexperienced sailor and apparently sheeted in (rather than releasing the mainsheet) when the boat was hit by a gust. Two of the three people aboard lost their lives. A small craft advisory had been issued for the area.

Link:
https://www.ems1.com/communications-d...

USCG recreational boating accident statistics from 2020:

www.uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2020.pdf