Loss of Rondavous

[rondavous]

Rondavous Fuji 35 was lost on the rocks on October 4th. She protected the crew throughout the ordeal and all survived. They are strong boats and you can trust your life to them.

[Bill A]

Diana -

Horrible news. I am sorry to hear about the loss of Rondavous.

Where did it happen? How did it happen

Bill

[yachtvalhalla]

Very sad to hear ... our condolences.

[rondavous]

It was on the west end of Catalina Island in California. We were having a wonderful day, but the engine burped a couple of times then cut out. I was lulled into a false sense of security by thinking that polishing the fuel and cleaning the tank was enough forethought. No amt of tinkering would get her started and we hit a bingo time where if we didn't try something new the outcome was inevitable. As a last resort we sailed towards the island to gain enough speed to tack and ate up valuable real estate. I believe now that we were influenced by the backwash from the island because our speed began to decrease and the hail mary tack failed, a jibe would put us in kelp. Ultimately we were obviously too close to a lee shore. It was a tough lesson to learn. There is nothing like seeing fear on the faces of your friends and being unable to change anything. I learned a lot about the burden and responsibility of being a captain. We surfed our way into a sea cave with the bow sprit and bow just exploding against the back wall. Fuji's do track well, to be sure. We were sucked out again only to catch the next wave back into the cave far enough to catch the mainmast which toppled to starboard. Back out again to re-enter the cave with the mizzen mast catching and falling to port. Sucked back out again and now we were wallowing but still afloat. We perched for a few minutes on our keel on a rock to the right of the cave and talked about possible escape routes. No one panicked, but honestly there were only a few options. I had broken my hand and forearm when a cleat let go so I was pretty sure I would never make it up the cliff without being pounded against the rocks. One of my passengers had hemiplegia from a stroke 14 years ago but had been a waterman and his wife, not a great swimmer. We all had our life jackets on. The boat slid off to port and back into the cave we went, but near as I can tell we ended up balanced on the underwater lip of the cave. The next wave washed me over the side, down and sucked out about 30 feet. My passengers went off the port with the next wave and Chris was caught between the boat and the cave wall. Lisa was sucked out as well but went back in and grabbed Chris. The boat was gone. It is at least 60 feet at the base of the cave. There was nothing but a debris field. The boat that had attempted to tow us out was also lost on the rocks after going into kelp and wrapping the prop. It was a Beneteau and I watched as it took a beating before it too disappeared. All 5 of us were plucked out of the water by Baywatch and helicoptered to the hospital. The ordeal left a crazy mix of joy, blessings and sorrow. I lived on the boat so I lost everything except underwear, jeans and tennis shoes. I was insured but really just wanted the boat back. Total loss.

[anzam1]

Diana,

Please accept my heartfelt commiserations. Thankfully it was only Randavous that was lost.

Thanks also for the detailed commentary. Details like that help all of us in gaining a better understanding of the dangers of our sport/lifestyle.

Thanks again.

[Don Linowski]

Dear crew of Rondavous,

I offer my sincerest regrets. I am thankful that despite your considerable injuries there was no loss of life. Your thoughtful recounting of this terrible news allows us all to contemplate the seriousness of our pastime. I have been around the West End of Catalina several times, have sensed its dangers and can only guess how scary the ordeal must have been. Wishing you all a speedy recovery.

Don Linowski
"Tenacious"

[leilissima]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss and the loss to all of us who so admire Fuji. Your survival is of course the greatest blessing.

[travis carpenter]

I am sorry to read about your loss. I am glad that you and crew survived, and hope that you always will have happy thoughts for your times with Rondavous. Thank you for telling of the ordeal, it will be in the back of mind as I sail Morning Star. Fair Winds, Travis

[Ed Abbot]

What a terrible trial. My sincere condolences for the loss of your ship. So glad to hear that you all survived.