A capsize photo series from the National Family Island Regatta, George Town, Bahamas
by Jan Pehrson 23 Apr 2023 17:43 UTC
National Family Island Regatta © Jan Pehrson
If you want to win Bahamian Wooden Sloop races, you need to sail on the edge.
Photographer Jan Pehrson was at the weather mark today during the 67th National Family Island Regatta currently being sailed in George Town, Bahamas. As the wind gusted in a squall, 21 foot long B-Class Sloop "New Susan Chase V" capsized. Her crew jumped on her keel and kept her from sinking. B-Class sloops weigh about as much as two cars.
Bahamian Racing Sloops are hugely overpowered, with long overhanging booms and towering masts, ballasted by lead ingots and sandbags and large numbers of crew balanced precariously on "pry" boards extending over the windward rail. Bahamian National Champion Stefan Knowles is the captain of "New Susan Chase V", and his brother Ian Knowles is her bowman.
What Happened on the boat?
"Too much sail area and instead of lowering the sail the guy hoisted it," said Ian. "We've had similar situations before, this doesn't bother us after many years of sailing."