39 Ft. Contender flips in narrow channel one dies

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  39 Ft. Contender flips in narrow channel one dies

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Author Topic:   39 Ft. Contender flips in narrow channel one dies

Binkster posted 08-23-2011 04:12 PM ET (US)
I think there is more to this story than is being reported at this time. This area is full of big rocks and any prudent boater will stay IN the channel and run at a prudent speed. A 39' Contender is a $325,000 center console double stepped deep V usually powered with triple 300hp outboards and capable of 65mph. Have no idea how fast this boat was going, and article doesn't say, but these Contenders are first class boats and just don't "roll over".
http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/accidents/ man-who-died-in-boat-crash-identified-as-homosassa-car-dealer/1187376
jharrell posted 08-23-2011 04:34 PM ET (US)
I have heard quite a bit that stepped hulls can blow out in a tight corner at speed, causing a flip.
Some seem to be speculating this is what happened, perhaps due to the captain over correcting after getting outside the channel.
I am not real familiar with Homosassa, but if it's anything like Chassahowitzka which is just south, if you get out of the channel just slightly things get real shallow real fast.
Who knows at this point, sure is a tragedy.
contender posted 08-23-2011 05:06 PM ET (US)
Maybe hit something trying to get back in the channel that rolled the boat (big rock)? I do not know the channel but its pretty hard to roll a 39 ft boat. I think Bink is correct, not getting the entire story....
jharrell posted 08-23-2011 05:40 PM ET (US)
Search on "stepped hull spin" and you will get all sorts of hit's on the issues with this hull design, Contenders being frequently mentioned.
Here is a page describing the issue: http://www.velocityboats.com/Safety.html
It definitely could have been a rock, or hitting soft bottom sideways, or high speed slide from the stepped hull.

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Author	Topic: 39 Ft. Contender flips in narrow channel one dies
Binkster	posted 08-23-2011 04:12 PM ET (US) I think there is more to this story than is being reported at this time. This area is full of big rocks and any prudent boater will stay IN the channel and run at a prudent speed. A 39' Contender is a $325,000 center console double stepped deep V usually powered with triple 300hp outboards and capable of 65mph. Have no idea how fast this boat was going, and article doesn't say, but these Contenders are first class boats and just don't "roll over". http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/accidents/ man-who-died-in-boat-crash-identified-as-homosassa-car-dealer/1187376
jharrell	posted 08-23-2011 04:34 PM ET (US) I have heard quite a bit that stepped hulls can blow out in a tight corner at speed, causing a flip. Some seem to be speculating this is what happened, perhaps due to the captain over correcting after getting outside the channel. I am not real familiar with Homosassa, but if it's anything like Chassahowitzka which is just south, if you get out of the channel just slightly things get real shallow real fast. Who knows at this point, sure is a tragedy.
contender	posted 08-23-2011 05:06 PM ET (US) Maybe hit something trying to get back in the channel that rolled the boat (big rock)? I do not know the channel but its pretty hard to roll a 39 ft boat. I think Bink is correct, not getting the entire story....
jharrell	posted 08-23-2011 05:40 PM ET (US) Search on "stepped hull spin" and you will get all sorts of hit's on the issues with this hull design, Contenders being frequently mentioned. Here is a page describing the issue: http://www.velocityboats.com/Safety.html It definitely could have been a rock, or hitting soft bottom sideways, or high speed slide from the stepped hull.