NSW
1317 posts
The picture tells a likely common story. Someone buys a boat and moves it as-is and with limited knowledge. Note he has no sails hanked on, so relying totally on outboard. Crossing a bar towing two dinghys already a hazard, not only from getting pulled into a broach, but also from the painters fouling the prop. Next, transom mounted outboards are terrible in a seaway, they bounce out of the water, lose traction, and can shear the prop loose. No drive means a certain broach on a bar. Add the fact that even when the outboard is operating, there is little directional control when you have the propeller behind the rudder. Dont know what the state of the tide was, but given that the rescue craft flipped, probably was not the best time to cross what is known as a tricky bar.
In summary a tragic case of insufficient knowledge and experience. Had he had some sails and stayed out at sea, he might have survived.
NSW
1317 posts
If you can get an Investigator 563 they are a safe little yacht. Some in WA might be missing the centreboard, but they still sail, just pointing is not as good.