onekiwi wrote:
Went out on the lake yesterday , a little gusty but had a LOT of fun.Managed to flip it a couple of times, ended with the mast pointing down!.What a #$%@# to get it back up. Had a motorboat pull from the side and finally got it up...man these things are hard to get upright with the wings on them.
Managed to repair the daggerboard using a long sawsall blade through the split in the leading edge making a couple of sweeps then pouring resin down the slit and clamping the sides together.Board slides in and out easy now.A bit hillbilly but worked out alright.Back out today...will try to keep the mast pointing at the sky!
This is the most encouraging post I've read from a newbie in a long time. Yeah!! Flip that boat! Test its limits and yours! Then learn how to fix the damage and do it again!
Just some vocabulary lessons for you.
Capsize: Boat on its side
Turtle: Boat upside down
Fly A Hull: Somewhere between upright and capsized
Teabag: When the wind suddenly stops or the captain dumps the main causing the windward hull and its crew to drop down with enough force that the crew on the trapeze is dunked in the water.
Beware of turtling in shallow water and getting the mast stuck in the mud since the mast/rigging/something may be damaged pulling it out. Also, when you capsize try NOT to jump/fall into the sail, unless you want to buy a replacement and/or turtle the boat.
Also, if you haven't already learned by using your grey matter or experience, before righting the boat loosen all the sheets and make sure the tiller cross bar is in its proper place, otherwise you may have a powered up boat without steering when you right it. And do everything in your power to stay with the boat AT ALL TIMES! In the right conditions a capsized Hobie can drift in the wind faster than you can swim. And unless you want to be a candidate for the Darwin Awards, nuts like you and me must wear a life vest at all times.