righting bag success and questions

Hurray!!!

I can right my boat by myself with the help of a righting bag (solo 16 now seems less scary). I was out recently, in zero wind, messing about with friends near enough to help if I couldn't get her to right. In no wind, I could [i]just[/i] do it with the assist of a 10 (?) gallon righting bag. I had one gripe and maybe someone out there can give me some advice.

I have a 'Z' system rigged up using some crevasse rescue pulleys. I hunkered down, filled the bag and hoisted it just enough to be clear of the water. I then grabbed the righting line and [b]viciously[/b] fought both ropes at once; trying to climb down the righting line while hoisting the bag line at the same time. The pulley block (just above grab point for the bag) and ropes gave me rope-burn on my shoulder and was very difficult to manage. I've seen systems that have a clam cleat incorporated into the 'Z' so one does not have to manage two ropes as once. I could use some more climbing gear (a Petzel prussic device) to allow the bag line to tighten, but not loosen.

Does this sound right?
Do folks use anything like a shoulder pad to stop the righting bag's rope from cutting into your wet suit or shoulder?

I'm just excited that I could do it without any wind...I know wind helps the process.

Thanks
bones.

Congrats, bones! You have accomplished something that all new sailors here should be doing.....finding a way to right your boat solo. Righting will be easier when there's wind, but you did good to practice worst case.

FWIW....I have the block system with cam cleat from Murray's which does simplify things. Also, I have strategically placed knots in my righting line (simple line tied to front beam). The upper knots are for improved hand-gripping and the lower ones catch in my harness hook. This lets the harness take the brunt of the load (rather than my arms) and leaves both hands free to deal with the lines. I pretty much always wear my harness, regardless of wind predictions. Just like the PFD, if it's not on when you need it, it's useless.

Hope that helps!

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Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16

+1 rattle 'n hum

I need to practice this, and thanks for the rope knotting idea.

bones

Not that it may matter much to you now, but I found a post here when I got my (first) boat which helped with me figure out how to solo right mine with a bag.

I wasn't sure at all how to rig it, but this poster showed (and demonstrated with pictures) a simple ratcheting block you can get at Home Depot/Lowes for relatively cheap. I can't say how it compares with your rig but I set mine up easily and so far so good. If I can find the post I'll link it in this thread.

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'81 H16

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

^^^^ for those knots your are fix'n to tie...

Try a directional figure eight..


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directional_figure_eight


or a butterfly knot..


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_butterfly_knot

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www.thehobiewayoflife.com