Pitch pulling

Does it hurt or send you flying forward?

Definitely flying forward. As captain, if you have quick reflexes you may be able to hold on to the rear crossbar to keep from flying forward, but as crew you have less to hold on to.

It hurts if you unintentionally hit something along the way. On a 16, my crew was trapped out when we pitchpoled and he swung around and slammed his upper arm on the mast and got a huge bruise.

My experience has been to have lost complete control of the boat, and about half the time without completely going overboard. Read this forum for tips on how to rig and sail your boat to avoid a pitchpole. However don't let the fear of it keep you from enjoying Hobies, since it is part of the catamaran experience.

If you go flying how far. this can be a little contest. If some one pitch pulls report it here and there will be a little contest. When you pitch pull can there be damage done to the mast.

Mark
Hobie 14

Pitch poling is spectacular, however it is also a sign that you are sailing beyond your limits. It can damage both people and boats. Ever hit the shroud on that 'unexpected journey to the bow?' Many people use a 'chicken line,' which is a piece of 1/4" attached to the rear of the Hobie, and can be hand held, or better, attaches to the trapeze rings.

Pitch poling can damage the boat in unexpected ways. It puts a huge strain on the shroud adjusters, twist toggles, anchor pins, and even the lip of the hulls. Many Hobie sailors renew their anchor pins every year, and the rest of the standing rigging (for shrouds) every two to three years. It all depends how frequently you are out there, and how 'steadily' you sail. The gentler you are, the smoother your hand is on the tiller, the less damage you will incur. No, I am not saying 'sail slow', what I am saying is 'sail well.'

The only real problem we ever had was when we removed the rope from the CatTrax too quickly one day when launching, and did not notice that a ring ding got pulled out from a shroud adjuster. Two miles out, the clevis pin popped free, the mast fell over, thank goodness with no injury, and I can tell you it was a long paddle back to the beach.

Good winds.

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

Was it on your front stay or the port or starbord one.

The starboard shroud clevis pin fell out on the first tack, after the ring ding got caught in the rope from the cat trax.

I have also sailed a H16 in gusty conditions in 20 knot winds, got back to shore, and found the shackle pin for the jib stay with only one thread left: in other words, one more turn on the pin, and the front shackle would no longer hold. Sound like fun?

Now I know - Nothing like checking equipment, and checking it properly BEFORE setting sail.

Still ice on the river, can't wait for May.

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

Ya i got a good lake up here in PA. its part ice and we were thinking about putting it in buy the boat launch to see if it floats because i had to put about 6 patches about 3 inches long and a huge 2 foot patch.

Mark
Hobie 14

Electrical tape wrapped around the adjusters (and so covering the ring dings) is a winning idea. Of course that's more useful when you can leave the mast up for long periods.

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Warm regards,

Jim