I didn’t know Humber made submarines as well as RIB’s

[Jackwabbit]

I didn’t know Humber made submarines as well as RIB’s

Yesterday while out from Bognor Regis with the diving clubs RIB, we had someone at the helm who has many years experience in sailing & training within the RYA, also he has had a RYA powerboat certificate for a number of years.
We were coming back from the dive site with a following wind & tide when he felt the bow was riding too high, he brought the trim all the way in. As we came down the next large swell the boat picked up a lot of speed & punched its way through the next wave, with the result of the boat being full of water to the top of the transom within seconds. Luckily all the electrics are high & the engine kept running, & the water was soon out by dropping the elephant trunk. Unfortunately one of the people in the boat didn’t stop as quick as the boat, resulting in a bang on the head & what looks like a dislocated finger.
All this goes to show just because you have years of experience at sea with one type of boat, it doesn’t mean you are going to be good at all types of boat.
With this being a club boat anyone who has a RYA powerboat certificate can drive it, but if frightens the life out of me sometimes I only feel safe when I’m driving.

[Squirrel]

Forgive my ignorance, but what does "dropping the elephant trunk" mean?

[-Dan-]

Originally Posted by Squirrel

Forgive my ignorance, but what does "dropping the elephant trunk" mean?

Vulgar as it sounds, as far as I know, it involves opening the boats drainage system

Dan

[Alan Priddy]

Proves my point. Just because you have sat an exam and got a piece of paper that says " You know what you are doing" it means sweet F all.
Experiance is the only test of time not RYA Exams Alan P

[Squirrel]

Originally Posted by -Dan-

Vulgar as it sounds, as far as I know, it involves opening the boats drainage system

Dan

Thanks Dan, I guessed it must have been some sort fo drainage system, but haven't heard the term before! I don't think my bilge pump would clear that much water that fast...

[jwalker]

Squirrel, do you only have a bilge pump for draining the whole boat should it become flooded?

[Squirrel]

Errr yes. Its a 7.5m prosport and as far as I know its a standard fit. It has an aft drain well with a bilge pump (500lph I think, maybe gph?) in it and the bilges drain into the well via a one-way valve. I carry a manual pump too.

Hadn't really considered what happens if it gets flooded. The battery is under the driver's seat at floor level, but in a battery box, so that would give it a few inches clearance. The fuses are in the top of the console, so they should be OK.

What else should I have in the way of drainage?!

[Ian Alexander]

Agree with Alan P. However as an RYA Instructor I do my best to ensure that that the students realise that the exam is only a start point - If the knowledge gained on the course keeps them and other water users a wee bit safer while they build experience (and avoid making the mistakes I made while gaining my experience) I consider I'm doing a good job.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Alan Priddy

Proves my point. Just because you have sat an exam and got a piece of paper that says " You know what you are doing" it means sweet F all.
Experiance is the only test of time not RYA Exams Alan P

Couldn't agree more - far too much emphasis placed on bits of paper these days. And in all walks of life!

[codprawn]

It isn't just prosport who don't fit Elephants trunks - lot's of manufacturers are the same - apparently they don't look pretty! Also they obviously never expect their customers to need them - any customer that DOES need them will no doubt ask for them to be fitted.

There are other systems available - something with a ball in jI think - anyone know if they are any good???