non self bailing- how safe?

[Chivita]

Steve,

We lost a very capable and experienced Captain and his self bailing boat up here about four years ago, almost lost his deckhand as well. In the middle of winter he went out in very rough seas, so rough that the boat was taking on water while he was trying to find safe harbor. No one knows for absolutely sure as the boat sank, but the subsequent investigation believes that the scuppers froze over and then all it took was one good wave over the stern.

Scuppers or no scuppers, the absolutely best safety device or design on any boat is it's Captain. In my experience with our C-Dory, I have found that it is so capable that it allows an in-experienced Captain to get deeper into and out of danger than any other small boat, save perhaps a Boston Whaler.