Righting line

Is your mast waterproof? I have been over many times and never gone turtle. When I first bought my used boat, I dismantled the mast and resealed the foam in the ends and also sealed every rivet and screw. It just takes a bit of silicone and some time. If your mast filled with water, that is a tremendous weight to try and lift up. To get it to the surface would be no big deal as the water is neutral while submerged, but 8 pounds a gallon as soon as it breaks the surface. Quite a load.
Also, did you swim the bows around into the wind?
Definitely get a harness. Trapping out is how this boat sails best, and it will help your arms not get so tired trying to right the boat. Keep at it.

191 lbs is far too little weight to right a Hobie 16 unless the wind is howling.

You need a bucket or a righting pole.

Mast is sealed


The mast was pointed into the wind. With hindsight, I should have.

Indeed, my arms were so tired from all the pulling that initially I couldn't climb back on board.

Still, which bob?

Baby Bob

I just use some cheap braided poly rope tied to dolphin striker. Tie it out of way then throw over haul when ya flip. The stretchy bungee hobie system I was using before was sooooo heavy when wet and it was always soaked weighing like 6+lbs so I got rid of it.

okay, I am getting
1. Baby bob
2. Righting bucket
3. Hobie captain's harness