Dear All,
There are a number of ways of passing the RCD/ISO test. Option 7 of ISO 12217 that Claus/Llafurio refers to is just one and mainly encompasses the capsize recovery test. If you can pass that one (recovery from full inversion) there are few other requirements to pass. It was our initial aim when designing the boat that we pass under this option, but in practice, we took the view that in the BayRaider it was marginal, and could not always be predicted accurately. For example a user stowing heavy equipment in one side locker could severely affect its ability to be righted. There is also no way that the BayRaider Expedition could be righted from a full inversion without a crew of fit people, or outside assistance. Of course under the ISO there are many ways to assess different types of boat, and she formally passes under a different option, which mainly takes into account her large reserve of buoyancy, and her righting moment compared to wind heeling moment (ie her stiffness).
Aside from the ISO tests, the ability of the lockers to flood to aid recovery from full inversion is undoubtedly helpful, which is why we have never fitted a seal that entirely encompasses the perimeter of the hatch. In this way, as Graham has expanded at length on this forum, if the seals are good (and I accept the ones originally supplied were not) waves over the side in difficult conditions are mainly kept out of the lockers but in the event of a capsize, they can still flood.
So to answer the question, no we have not formally tested the boat with seals under option 7 (full capsize) because she is not assessed under this part of the ISO. She does fully comply with the RCD/ISO and fitting, or not fitting seals will not affect this. I accept however that unwanted water in the lockers does affect the user, and having seals that work better is something we are working on, and hope to have more news for owners soon.
Matt