John Vigor Blog: Cresting and capsizing

EVERY TIME I HEAR some sailor boasting about the alleged seaworthiness of his dear sailboat I wonder if he knows the difference between static and dynamic stability.

In other words, I wonder if he knows the difference between how stable his boat might be in calm water (static) and how unstable it might be at sea in big waves (dynamic).

It's an established fact that no amount of static testing will reveal how much more vulnerable a boat is to capsize when it is weaving its way through heavy swells.

Read the entire blog entry.

John Vigor is a well-known boating authority and author. His book "Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere" turns the spotlight on 20 seaworthy sailboats that are at home on the ocean in any weather conditions. Most of these old fiberglass boats are of traditional design and feature strong construction, ranging from 20 feet to 32 feet. While all have crossed the oceans, some have even circumnavigated the world.

While choosing the right boat can be a confusing and stressful experience, particularly with a tight budget, Vigor compares the designs and handling characteristics of 20 different boats whose used prices start at about $3,000. He explains how to deal with known weaknesses, rates their seaworthiness, speed, and the number of people they can safely carry in comfort.

This book is packed full with interviews from experienced owners each sharing valuable tips about handling each boat in heavy weather, along with line drawings of hulls, sail plans, and accommodations. (200) pages, softcover.