First capsized / lesson learned

So, I started to sail last summer a fellow camper's Getaway at the seasonal campsite we are at last summer. I loved it so much I took sailing lessons last summer. By the beginning of August, I was friends with him and he lent me his '78 H16 for my vacations. At the end of week, I bought his old H16 and sailed it for the rest of the season.

This winter, I made a few mods, like the poorman's low profile main blocks by modifying the old Seaway blocks. So with a single double block at the top as opposed to 2 single blocks, I had to choose between the aft or fore hanger. I tried the aft hanger a few times and it worked very well, except I did not like the angle it went into the traveler when I was block to block. So yesterday, I tried it in the fore hanger.

In the fore hanger, the angle going into the traveler was better, but the angle coming out of the cleat was not, so I ended up not being able to uncleat the main and went for a swim. Actually, we were both dry until we decided to let go of the hull that was in the air to jump in the water to right the boat.

We were able to right the boat, but not on the 1st attempt. First thing I did was to uncleat the main sheet, main traveler and jib sheet. Then climbed on the hull and grabbed the righting line from underneath the hull, but not enough leverage.

With the old hardware, the main sheet does not feed out really easily unless in heavy wind, so the main was holding on more water than it should. My friend with the Getaway, the same I bought the H16 from who was following me yelled to completely unhook the top main block from the boom, so I did. Still no luck righting it.

So I had a tow line already tied around the front crossbar and dolphin sticker, so I threw it over the hull and the too short righting line was long enough for one person to grab it over the hull. With all the above done, boat came up really easy.

If it would not have been the first sail for my crew, one of us would have been on the trapeze and we would have not capsized, but I am glad we did because it was my first attempt at righting the boat.

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Marc...
1978 Hobie 16 Keoke, sail# 36 84

Glad to hear of your success!

Can you elaborate on the "poor man's low profile main blocks" mod? I have the old Seaway set up and want to improve it if possible (and otherwise spend the funds improving something else!).

I also just read about disconnecting the upper block(s) from the boom in order to assist with righting, but I've always been reluctant to use the quick clips. That little ball just looks too small and able to pop right out. What connection hardware do you have on the upper block?

Thanks in advance!

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'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'

Hi Jman,

The poor man block conversion is this:
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7964&hilit=seaway+main+block+conversion

For the main block, I am not using a quick release pin with ball, but a snap shackle. Completely different design. Here is what it looks like:


Marc...

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Marc...
1978 Hobie 16 Keoke, sail# 36 84