H16 Self Righting success: Righting Bag

Weighing in at 160lbs, solo righting is not possible for me. Knowing that most solo days are <10-12mph, there typically is not enough wind to have the backwinded sail help create lift and clear the mast from the water.

So I bought the 10gallonish 160lb rated water bag and gave it a try this weekend. Conditions were a worst case scenario at the low end of the spectrum: dead 0 mph wind (versus 6'-10' swell being the other end of the spectrum where you would have fully capable crew).

The bag actually worked and I righted the boat 2 times (just to make sure the first was not a fluke). Here was the process.
-Bag attached to a 12' rope
-Tie a carabineer to the other end of the 12' rope
-Put a knot in the rope with a loop about 1/3 of the way between the bag and the caribeener
-Dip the bag in the water to fill it up
-Throw the rope over the hull at the front pylon
-Pull rope down and clip the carabineer onto a knot loop. So yes, the rope is just around the hull. Not secured to anything front to back
-The bag is now about 1-2' out of the water after you clip the carabineer
-Put your feet on the hull, and rest the bag behind your shoulder (like a backpack)
-Extend your legs and you are in righting position...hang on and wait for the mast to clear
-As the mast comes out, climb the rope to keep weight out of the water, as the bag quickly hits the water and loses its downward force
-Sail on!

I did it once using the bag/rope system in conjunction with a righting line. Then tried it a second time without using a righting line, and just using the rope attached to the bag. It worked equally as well without using a righting line

-yes, the bag leaks some water out of the stitching, but not enough to make a difference
-it took about 6 attempts of adjusting the knot up and down to get the overall length of the rope correct. This is the key: positioning the bag perfectly at height on your back. Too long and the bag touches the water, too short and you are standing too vertical and can't lean back far enough
-I did try wrapping the rope around the pylon, inside the hull. I did not have success, but likely because I did not have the knot in the right place. We thought mechanically having the rope higher up and further out would give more leverage, hence wrapping it around the hull. It may work around the pylon, I just didn't retry once I understood getting the rope length was critical...
-well worth the $55 so no one can (censored) about doing solo runs when there aren't a lot of people on the beach for rescue
-Sorry no pics or video

Great write up and information. I have tried the solo right with a bag full of water but failed miserably before somebody jumped aboard to give me a hand. I found it really hard making the rope adjustments in a large swell so I'm very keen to try again but in a lake/dam with flat water. I'll make some notes from your info and give it a whirl!

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2007 Hobie 16 - 'Slingshot'
1996 Hobie 18 - 'Onrails'
Hobie Bravo - 'Hobie Bites'

Thanks for your write-up. I am in a similar situation (170lbs) and vowed to not go out again until I am able to right the boat myself (I don't want to count on others). I am going to pick up a righting bag this weekend.

I've capsized twice sailing solo and have used the righting bag successfully both times. It was EASY! I guess that there are 2 different size bags. Our dealer advised me to get the larger bag. I never question the judgement of Ron Lane from Fast Lane Sailing. Instead of knots and loops I use an old set of blocks and just sheet in. I weigh 156 lbs. and sail with both the righting bag with old Seaway Blocks for when I sail solo, and a righting line for when I sail with a crew. Both are secured under my tramp side-by-side.

Got my bag from this seller on the E auction site

cobagcousama

He has a small bag that fits on tramp too. Fits the rope & bag