A brand new 55 foot Gunboat lost its rig in heavy weather recently. The crew was airlifted. This is considered a top design and built racer & cruiser. I am not interested in adding yet one other speculation about the causes.

What I am interested in is taking the situation as an example. Heavy seas, three reefs in, storm jib and hit by a squall of 70 knots. What would be your analysis? A proa with an unstayed mast buried deep in the main hull seems less vulnerable. A mast break is unlikely with three reefs in. A rig coming down may prevent a capsize. It is like the unintended explosive bolts. Would the capsize prevention device be quick enough in such situation? If anything worries me some it is the bows breaking off (with the Phillips ultra racing cat in mind). The stretch of hull outside of the beam mounts is relatively longer than with regular catamarans. Of course, bow stays to the beam would have their own problems.

All in all, I feel pretty comfortable with a harryproa choice in this situation. Have I missed important points?

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