Capsize, how to right up correctly?

Today there was no wind on the lake, so we decided to capsize the boat just for fun and practice. We had serious problems to get to boat up, when a motorboat came and asked if we need help, we took the chance to get it up, because we weren't sure if we are capable to do it by ourselves.
We weight 150 kg together, so around 300 pounds.
We should get the boat back up, but how to do correctly?


Thank you
Chris

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1994 HC16

FAQ on the subject: http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=1570

300 should do it. Be sure the sails are all the way loose. Be sure you are leaning out as far as possible. Almost to the water... both of you.

Maybe water in the mast? Get a righting bag for more weight.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Happy Canada Day, and best wishes to our US neighbours for Friday, July 4.

Yesterday, in almost no wind, I took a new student out on a H-18 so he could experience a 'capsize'. (He has years of dingy sailing experience, so this is more of a 'conversion'). With no wind, and flat water, it was good to practice under controlled conditions. However, even with two strong adults, it is VERY tough to right the Hobie. We had our Club powerboat standing by, in case of problems.

You really need some wave action (rocking) and some wind (which will get underneath the sail) to help break the surface tension of the sail on the water. Do a 'search' on this Forum, lots has been written about recovery from capsizes.

Some advice, for power, use your leg muscles (quads), not your arms. Lie back as far as you can as you heave on the righting line. Either install a Hobie Bob, or make 100% certain that your mast is watertight.

Time to go sailing, rainy weather this June has destroyed my schedule.

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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.'

Is it better to position the weight near to the sterns, they go under water easaly and probably some wind can blow under the sails.

I'm sure that my Mast is perfeclty leakproof. The boat didn't turtle, the Mast was on the water surface and we had serious problems. We have to do that again, with assistance ready.

I just wonder what the motorboaters thought when they saw a capsized cat in these conditions, no wind, no waves, perfect sunshine . At least the manouver colled us down.

Chris

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1994 HC16

I have to disagree on this. Myself 180lbs and a female crew at maybe 120lbs were able to right my h16 in seconds. I am not really sure I needed all 120 of her weight the boat came up so easy. yes the mast is air tight and no there is no Hobie bob.

It must be in the technique. Uncleat all sheets and travelers, get righting line over upper hull, grab rope, lean out and up she comes.

Just my experience on more than one occasion.

Sam

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Sail Like you Have a Pair
Bluish gray 73 - 83 H16
Super Nice Yellow 84 H18

I too must agree that it is easy to right a Hobie. The first time I had my H18 over it was in a river and I could not get the mast turned into the wind due to the current. So I just uncleated all the sails and travellers and the two of us just leaned out on the righting line I threw over the hull and after while (maybe 30 seconds) up she came. The two of us might add up to about 170Kg. And this is with the wind at our backs. It would have been simpler if I could have turned the mast into the wind.

I think the big thing is the time you hang on to the line. The first little bit of movement is not easy to detect and maybe people think things are not moving when they are. The last bit of motion is VERY easy to notice (watch you head).

Hi,I have a H16 and weigh in at 175 lbs. and I have a real hard time righting when sailing solo.I need a lot of help from the wind.My neighbour who also owns a H16 weighs around 200 lbs. and he rights his like it was a Laser....well almost.That extra 30 lbs. sure makes a difference.

Part of the problem is that you had no wind on the lake. Lift under the main is a huge part of what makes righting a Hobie so easy. With no wind, no lift. I know because I did the same thing several years ago, and broke my floating rib while messing about on the boat. The good news is that it's also very difficult to capsize a Hobie with no wind...

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Sea ya,
Chris Larsen
Co-Pilot of the Hobie Getaway
"The Twins"

~~(\_~~

I have capsized several times. Most important, bring tip of mast directly into the wind. Get crew member to lift tip of mast and sail up slightly (about 12") to allow some wind under the sail. One person standing on the lower pontoon holding onto the upper pontoon is all that is needed to right the boat. Weight is not the issue - wind under the sail is most important.