Hobie Cat Forums

Here's a "over-a-few beers" question!

Everything I've read (or done) about getting your' Hobie into position to right it, after a pitchpole, was: put the mast/tramp into the wind and pull. But, I down loaded the Hobie University 2002 manual offered by the NAHCA and on page 16 it recommends that you put the bows into the wind!?! And if you put the mast into the wind it will be harder to right!

I know that this is not the most "Earth Shattering" question but, I've only pitched my boat twice and never thought about a different way; It seemed to work fine with the mast into the wind for me.

Has anybody out there ever tried a different way? Which is easier?

I never thunk of the box to think out of on this... till now.

Have a couple, and let me know. Thanks.

either way the wind gets under the sail and pops you up. with two people and a mesh tramp we often pull them up with our backs into the wind. it doesn't really matter as long as she comes up and you don't get hurt.

Mast into the wind is normal and works well. The wind on the tramp helps right the boat. Another method is to get the mast 45 deg. off the wind, reach down and travel out the jib, then pull the jib sheet ahead of the cam cleat. Hold the sheet tight as you try to right the boat and the jib will trap some wind, helping to lift the mast. With luck, you can sometimes right the boat solo that way. As the boat comes up, let go of the sheet to prevent the boat from trying to sail away.

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Howard

I think that sometimes when people say to point the mast into the wind, they don't mean point the tip of the mast at the wind but to point the whole length of the front of the mast into the wind. You basically want to get wind flowing under the sail to lift it up out of the water. The best way to do that is to get the front of the mast (or bows, however you want to say it) pointed to windward. Unless you're completely turtled wind should be able to get under at least some of the sail. If you point the tip of the mast to windward the wind will have a tendency to push the sail down even more if you have a mesh trampoline that doesn't really catch much air.

Okay pass me another one......

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1990 "Formula 1" H16 (# 009)

Another thought I had while reading this is that its probably better to be pointed into the wind when you pop up.... unless maybe when you are racing, then it may be better to hang on tight and be pointed on a beam reach when you pop up.

Bows pointed into the wind or as close as possible is best. This will encourage airflow across the sail and help with righting. Mast tip into the wind isn't going to allow airflow under the sail until you've already gotten the mast out of the water (the hardest part). You're also likely to end up doing an up-and-over because you will be righting the boat onto a beam reach. With the bows pointed into the wind, the boat will be less likely to capsize again or sail off on it's own.

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If you capsize in heavy weather, both wind and waves, and turtle as I usually do. Then I found it best to right the boat cross wind and most importantly cross wave, allowing you better balance. While turtled I take time to gather my wits, release the main sheet, the traveler and jib sheet. Also, very important, insure the hiking stick is not fouled (so the boat will round up when righted). Then I stand on the leeward hull and lean. When it’s really blowing the boat can, and usually dose, come up on its side and continue to full righting in one motion, so you have to be ready to grab onto the dolphin striker quickly and hang on while the boat comes into the wind and stops. Then I climb aboard just in front of the tramp, furl the jib and center the traveler(helps keep it into the wind) and make ready to sail.

While we're talking about tricks for righting: What is the best way to get your bow (and mast) to point windward? In other words, if your mast is pointing downwind, how do you get your cat to rotate 180 degrees for the mast to be at a 45 degree angle to the wind?

I remember something about standing on the bows (or near the rudders?) until they sink, which will provide drag, and the wind on the tramp will blow the catamaran around. Is that right?

I'd love to practice some capsizing and righting this weekend. Haven't done it in years...

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-Roland
Sailing vintage Hobie Cats in West Africa.

Stand near the bow and the wind should push the stern around. OR if it is really blowing, let the boat turtle and bring it up on the other side (be sure your mast is sealed).

Thanks for confirming what I remembered, Fastcat.

Hobie Bobs on all the cats at our club, so no turtling. Hopefully there will be enough wind to try out the stand-on-the-bow trick.

Any advice if there are big waves making a 180 rotation difficult? That was the situation last time I wasn't able to right the H16 without outside assistance.

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-Roland
Sailing vintage Hobie Cats in West Africa.

Usually as long as you are pointed into the wind, you can right the boat (i.e., you only have to turn 90 degrees). I would think getting in the water while holding onto the bow would increase the drag to help swing around the stern. Also very important to loosen all sheets & main traveler and make sure the rudders are not fouled.

Thanks. We've got solid wind forecast for the whole weekend. So there should be opportunity to practice pushing the limits, and recovering once they have been exceeded.

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-Roland
Sailing vintage Hobie Cats in West Africa.