The Loss of Tahiti Belle

[Sugarsail1]

I used to own a boat just like this one and sailed it across the Pacific solo. It would have never sunk. They're built with 8 airtight chambers sometimes more.

[josephdupont]

Tri hulls have some very sad endings. They are not self righting..

and if the ti p goes that's it.. I wonder what he lost in money.

did the freighter charge to save him?

[Migus29]

Trimarans that small are terrible for north Atlantic.

[Sugarsail1]

@Migus29 actually the Val 31 was specifically designed by Newick for solo transatlantic races, the OSTAR, and won 3rd overall in 1976. That design has crossed the Atlantic probably hundreds of times in the last 35 years and while not very comfortable they are typically quite seaworthy. This one was probably quite structurally fatigued due to old age, hence the failure.

[landis444]

The larger ship is required to give the crew of the wrecked trimaran a shower first before boarding . 0:57.

[KayakMike1963]

A very sad end to a beautiful trimaran... but also proof that it's much better to have a boat that FLOATS after a disaster than to have one that SINKS. I sail multis and monohulls, but for any voyage short of the Antarctic, and maybe even there, I'll stick with a multihull if given the choice.

[onefodderunit]

@KayakMike1963

Yes, it's nice he had some debris to float on. This would not have occurred with a monohull. Not to mention, monohulls don't remain inverted when rolled.

[KayakMike1963]

@onefodderunit ... quite true. Monos choose a dignified death by sinking and leaving their crew behind, whereas multihulls have the audacity to float, thus leaving evidence of the capsize, and a nice platform for the crew to survive upon. Yep, monos are much better... if you are too embarrassed to survive, that is.

All flippancy aside, both are safe craft. Pick your style and go for it.

[onefodderunit]

@KayakMike1963

If you'd avoid running into objects or aground you wouldn't hole your boat.

[teamvmg]

Very sad to see the Belle dying

She has done thousands of miles and served her owners well.

[tmanisaur]

I'm a sailor - and super creds to the helmsman of the ship...nice piece of work it shitty seas. Everyone is safe.

Long live human adventure!

[SailingCartagena]

Some of the best seamanship I´ve seen has been from these so called WAFI´s.

Most naval officers begin their training aboard sailboat, So, there is hardly a distinction to make, and most sailors possess much greater skills than power boaters.

Having said that, some small boat designs are clearly not seaworthy. Every time I let go my mooring lines I understand that I could be putting my life in danger, I expect no support, I strongly believe in self sufficientcy.

[dangtfc123]

I have no sympathy whatsoever. This is what you have to expect from WAFI's.

[aussieskiff]

You must be a powerboat man dirty stinking noisy polluting shite tell me wheres the fun in pushing a throttle forward marinised taxi's

[anvil357]

thank god he is safe

[porpoisefathom]

thats it!!

im builidng my cruising tri in steel of ferrocement...amazing he even got rescued

[ultimatedamage35]

what was the life raft for again?

[trondareo]

The life raft is for getting into when the boat sinks. Multihulls float, and the safest place is on board. I think the Val design has something like 5 water tight bulkheads. And obviously no ballast.