Capsize, to invert a boat such that the bottom of the boat is on top. Also used to describe a boat that has broached, pitch poled, rolled, or sunk.

A large sailing boat during the process of capsizing may become demasted, in which the rigging breaks, either by the mast bending or fracturing and or the standing rigging breaking.

An intermediate sailor is recommended to capsize their dinghy in a safe location with supervison, at least once to become aquainted with their boat's floating properties. The boat should then be righted, bailed out, and the sails reset. So that in the event of an uncontrolled capsize, the boat and its occupants may self recover.

A capsized boat if it has sufficient floatation to prevent sinking, may recover on its own if the stablity is such that it is not stable inverted. Small dinghy's often capsize in the normal course of use, and users of such boats should wear appropriate life saving gear, such as a life jacket, and or wetsuit. Consult your local boating regulations for the full list of required gear.

Famouse capsizes

• M/S Herald of Free Enterprise, 6 March 1987, killing 193 passengers
• M/S Estonia, 28 September 1994, killing 852 passengers

External links

• Capsize formula for displacement sailboats.