How to recover a capsized boat

Honestly, capsizing is terrifying. Your heart's pounding, everything's wet, and your brain's screaming. But knowing what to do? That makes all the difference. The whole recovery thing depends on what kind of boat you're in, the weather, and how strong your crew is. Here's the step-by-step for flipping a dinghy, keelboat, or small powerboat back over—based on real seamanship, not just textbook stuff.

What is the first thing you should do when your boat capsizes?

Look, safety comes first. Not the boat. Not your gear. As soon as she tips, count heads. Make sure everyone's okay and ain't bleeding. Then stick with the boat. A capsized hull is way easier for rescuers to spot than some random person floating around. Most small sailboats and dinghies will stay afloat because of trapped air and flotation—they're not going down. If the boat's turtled (completely upside down), try standing on the centerboard or daggerboard to get some leverage and roll it back.

How to right a capsized sailing dinghy (The Scoop Method)

This is the go-to for modern dinghies—Lasers, Optimists, 420s. You'll need teamwork, but it's doable.

• Step 1: Check the crew. Everyone got their life jacket on? Good. Make sure nobody's tangled in the rigging. Swim to the stern, the back of the boat.
• Step 2: Position the boat. If it's turtled—mast straight down—swim to the centerboard or daggerboard. Push down hard to roll the mast out of the water. Now it should be on its side, at about 90 degrees.
• Step 3: Use the centerboard. One or two of you, swim to the centerboard. Grab the tip and pull down sharp. Use your body weight to lever the boat upright. If she's stubborn, use a "scoop" motion: push the board away while leaning back.
• Step 4: The scoop method. As the mast comes up, have a second crew member swim to the side of the hull nearest the water. When the boat rights, that person gets "scooped" into the cockpit. Then the person on the centerboard climbs over the gunwale.
• Step 5: Bail water. Once she's upright, grab a bucket or bailer and get the water out. If the boat feels unstable, sit on the gunwale to keep the center of gravity low.

How to recover a capsized keelboat (Large Sailboat)

Keelboats are a whole different beast. They can sink or stay upside down. Don't even try this without a proper righting system and a support vessel nearby. Seriously.

Can you recover a capsized boat by yourself?

Yeah, but only for small dinghies and kayaks. For a single-handed dinghy, it's basically the scoop method but you gotta be quick and agile. After checking for injuries, swim to the centerboard. Pull down hard and climb over the side as the boat rights. For a kayak, the Eskimo roll is the standard self-rescue—takes practice and a spray skirt. If you can't roll, do a "wet exit" (pull the skirt release loop) and swim to the stern. Use a paddle float or a buddy to get back in.

What about motorboats and small powerboats?

Small powerboats—under 20 feet—often have positive flotation. If it capsizes, the engine's probably flooded. Don't try to start it. Just stay with the hull. If the boat's on its side, you might be able to right it by swimming to the opposite side and pushing up on the gunwale. But if it's turtled? Honestly, wait for rescue. Trying to flip a powerboat can trap air and make it sink faster. Not worth the risk.

Expert checklist for capsizing recovery

• Wear life jackets. Always. No excuses.
• Keep a knife on you—lines get tangled in a second.
• Have a whistle or VHF radio in a waterproof pouch.
• Know your boat's flotation rating (USCG Type IV throwable device).
• Practice righting drills in calm water before you're out in wind.
• Never tie a line to the masthead that can become a snag.

Frequently asked questions