Righting Pole

DVL asked that I elaborate on my righting pole idea. I don't have anything written down, but here is what I am thinking.

I have found a local windsurf shop that will sell me old or broken masts for cheap. I would also think about using an aluminum tube or carbon or fiberglass tube. The length will depend on your weight and the weight of your boats rig. My guesstimate is to make the pole so it goes from the dolphin striker post to the center of the aft tramp lacing strip. This will allow for easy stowage after use and for enough of a moment arm to right the boat.

The part I haven't decided is how I want to attach it to the boat. I am thinking I will make a bracket to attach to the dolphin striker post or just next to it on the front cross bar. A permanent attachment will make is easier to deploy and retrieve.

For stowage under way I will use shock cord attached to the tramp lacing about 6" forward of the rear cross bar just to keep if from flopping around.

To deploy I am thinking about tying a line around the front cross bar at the hull junction on the top hull and running it down to the righting pole end into a 2 jaw cleat so I can adjust the pole angle as needed. I would, of course, have to affix the cleat to the pole.

Once you have the line attached to the pole, just to a pull up on it and bring the boat over.

I just want to say that I have not thought of this myself. I have looked at pictures and examples of how others have done this. This is just my version which I have not yet tested. I will let you know how it works when I do. If anyone tries this or something similar, let us know how it works.

I hope this helps.

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Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

My two cents. A quick way to attach it to the dolphin post for storage would be to slot the end of your pole with a slot the width of the dolphin post. Then you can slide it onto the dolphin post and put a pin across your righting post to hold it in place. If you use a quick release pin with a lanyard then you won't loose it in the drink.

When I got me new boat that is not allowed to be mentioned here, (Kidding it is a N5.2) I got worried that I wouldn't be able to right the boat alone. So I started looking for ways to build a righting pole.

After looking for something that would work I stumbled upon an old broken pole vault pole. It was very stiff and with a line tied from the end to the junction of the hull it easily supports my weight. I rigged it just like you talked about with cleats and line. I have only had to use it once and it worked perfectly. I deployed it in just a few seconds and had the boat pointy side up in less than three minutes.

I thought this might interest alot of people out there because you can pick up a broken pole at any school. I got mine from a guy who lived down the street. After trying to think were I could get some for my friends who all sail 16's, I went up to Oklahoma University and found out that the track coach had about 40 broken poles out back and many of them would make two or three poles. I now have a pile of them laying in the garage. I have found out that the ones for heavier vaulters are very stiff, I can lay them over the edge of the porch and walk out on them.

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

Have you looked at the "Power Righter System" instruction and installation manual on Catamaran Sailor for mounting ideas.

http://www.catsailor.com/pole-install.html

I really like the pole vault pole idea. I have to get in touch with the local university. Thanks.

At thebeachcats.com Technical help gallery there are some close-up photos detail the attachment of an aluminum righting pole.

http://www.thebeachcats.com/modules.php ... _album.php

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John Latimer
'79 Hobie18 - Magnum
Sail#4854

Thanks for sharing. I will try it with a aluminum spar from a sunfish sail.

(See the monohulls are good for something).

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1989 Hobie 18 Worlds Boat, Magnum Wings & Spinnaker
1987 Hobie Holder 20 #273

dale.vanlopik"at"att"dot"net