What is the highest probability of canopy failure on a race boat?
 

I can understand why most people do not want to talk about accidents. However, I am very curious as to what may cause canopy failure in a race boat.

I am posting a poll, to keep experienced riggers, racers and others anonymous. I want to get thoughts from experience and knowledge, not speculation from know-it-alls. The empirical data will not be an accurate indication of the collective knowledge we have here (mostly because some people may vote multiple times to deliberately skew the results), but the data may prove interesting and help reduce future problems.

Answer the following question for the poll:

Based on no specific incidents, what is the highest probable cause of canopy failure on currently built super-cats?

Has one ever failed? Meaning it broke and allowed water to hit the occupants in the face?

YES

Too many times...

Kent, you forgot perhaps one of the most important:
Age. One of the most devestating weaknesses of canopies is aging material. They are not impervious to the elements and they do not age gracefully.

If one would actually care to review the military's duty cycle on aircraft canopies, it would be shocking to learn what state of decrepitation is found on what is installed on most boats today.

I'd be willing to bet that a good number of canopies on boats today regain less than 1/2 of their original strength and stiffness.

Sorry, I forgot about Kevin Brown. Who else had a problem?

I think Jack had a problem with the low cut canopy and no lid.

Did anyone ever read George Linder's book about how to build a canopy? Its from the Lavin foundation.

That would be a "modification". Designed on the boat with the lid.

Dave, I agree. I suppose that would be considered "other" for now.

I am no expert but one big problem is no lid or an improperly fastened lid rubber bungees are NO GOOD

Any F16 style canopy that has a hole cut in the top has its inherent strength removed, they are ok when the water goes over the front as in a front end stuff, it is when the boat turns sideways and the impact is from the side they do not hold up as in the case of the kuwait Prince that was decapitated by the canopy when their canopied V-hull barrel rolled.