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Righting a Turtled cat
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Author:  Rocko [ Mon Jun 16, 2003 5:18 am ]
Post subject:  Righting a Turtled cat

We had a HUGE swell this weekend and I was out sailing with some mates in Windrush 14' sloops. Two boats turtled and couldn't get up again . They had to be abandoned. One washed up on a nearby beach without any standingrigging and a split hull . The other one is somewhere near antarctica now.
I was lucky and didn't go in. How do you right a turtled 17'Hobie. By yourself . How do you right it with the help of a boat or boats.

Rocko
Barwon Heads
Audtralia

Author:  mmiller [ Wed Jun 18, 2003 12:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Righting a turtled cat

A turtled catamaran (mast straight down), or any sailboat in that position for that matter, requires the sails to act like a sea anchor. That allows the hull platform to drift downwind while the sails slowly drag through the water at a slower pace. That causes the mast and sails to rise as the hulls slip down wind. Once the tramp comes up a bit, the platform will drift faster and accelerate the process. The key is to stand on the downwind hull and pull on the righting line to raise the weather side up as best as possible. If you stand on the weather hull, or have a boat try and pull upwind or any other direction, the whole process is defeated. The hull platform must drift as the mast and sails stay somewhat stationary to get the rotation needed that brings the boat back onto its side.

Author:  Rocko [ Wed Jun 18, 2003 4:49 pm ]
Post subject:  turtled cat

Thanx,

The cat that went out to sea washed up about 25kilometers away intact except for the shredded mainsail. Thanx to the guys from St. Andrews Yacht club near Sorrento in Victoria Aust who pulled her up above the tide line.

I've been told that you should stand on the aft end of the downwind hull as this will help bring the bows up and gthen moce to the centre of the downwind hull as she starts to right.

Rocko

Author:  Nigel H17#6424 [ Fri Jun 20, 2003 11:12 am ]
Post subject: 

We had a turtled Hobie 14 back in the Winter...it was about 20 knots and 3-4 foot chop, I was 1 of 2 guys in the rescue boat.

The mast had filled with water and no matter what we did, she wanted to stay turtled.

We could get the mast to the surface, but due to the weight, the cold and the chop we couldn't manage to right it.

I had read somewhere...see reading mags/forums/books is useful...about using a powerboat to assist righting a turtled cat.

So this is what we did.

We threw the sailor a line and he tied it to the dolphin striker (H14 turbo) and then we moved the powerboat into the wind, so we had a straight line...powerboat...line....turtled cat (aft into wind as the line tied to the D'Striker was pulled to the rear).

Then the sailor stood at the rear on the cat....raising the bows.

Then we gently moved the P'Boat forward, which pulled the cat backwards, burying the aft more and raising the bows....more, more and then the line would pull the cat back over itself (sort of a reverse pitchpole) until it righted itself...into the wind.

Then we lowered the sails and towed the exhausted sailor and his cat back home.

Was easier to do than to write about it.

On my Hobie 17 I have a Baby Bob and I use the Hobie Shroud Extenders, as that gets the cat platform back over vertical to your advantage....then use the Hobie righting line....the bungee one...to right it.

Move your weight to the bow to move the cat towards the wind before you right it as then the wind at 45 degrees will assist in righting the cat.

As the boat comes over on top of you....jump into the water and get ready to grab onto the windward side of the Dolphin Striker to prevent the cat rolling right over again.

Practice it on a nice calm day, in shallow waters with a boat to help...if needed.

Happy and Safe sailing,

Nige

Author:  Rocko [ Sat Jun 21, 2003 5:43 am ]
Post subject:  Righting aTurtled Cat

Thanks for the info we will try it out. What is a baby bob? and what do u mean by shroud extenders.
Have You ever righted a H17 by yourself from a Turtled position?
Rocko

Author:  sunio [ Tue Aug 05, 2003 10:09 am ]
Post subject: 

Just had turtled Hobie 18 SX two weekends ago. It was blowing quite well and we pitch polled while on close reach. At first I was a bit worried but we recovered quite quickly. The technique used on this size of cat is to have both crew and skipper to stand as far as aft as possible on leeward hull and pull on the rightling line (s) attached to front crossbeam at the windward hull. As the aft of leeward hull submerges in the water the windward bow comes slowly up along with the mast. I think wind blowing into trampoline helps a bit here. As the cat is close to being on the side with mast pointing to the wind one persion moves forward and stands on the dagger board to prevent turtling again. From there it should be easy. Always make sure that all sheets are released before trying to upright a cat.

I haven't turtled my H17 yet although I have seen a guy uprighting one in no time after he turtled at the startline at the regatta a few years back. I don't think it took him more than 5 minutes to get it from turtled position back to sailing. So it's not that bad. Right technique is the key.

One thing to keep in mind is that it drains a lot of energy. You don't want to turtle a few times one after another.

Sunio

Author:  h17cat [ Tue Aug 05, 2003 1:24 pm ]
Post subject: 

We have several H-17 sailors that have righted from the turtle position, me included. You must be patient. The wings dampen the righting motion, so just hang out there and wait. Also, as mentioned, grap the dolphin striker as soon as the boat comes over to prevent the cartwheel. This also helps turn the boat into the wind, and hold it stable, as you act as a sea anchor. Caleb Tarleton

Author:  STEVE BELL [ Wed Jul 14, 2004 2:54 am ]
Post subject:  Righting a 17

Anybody ever lose or worry about losing the wings when one is turtled?
Anyone ever heard of that happening?

Steve Bell

Author:  BobPeters [ Wed Aug 04, 2004 6:10 am ]
Post subject:  Righting an H17

Always pack a sturdy garbage bag. Fill garbage bag with water, throw over your shoulder & voila! ...extra weight for a single sailor to get your H17 over.

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