Flying a hull

Today I took the wife out for a sail and we were able to fly a hull for the first time! It was not flying for long but long enough to leave me wanting some more!

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~Tom in CT
81' H-16

Nice job! the first time I flew a hull I pitchpoled maybe 10 seconds into the fun!! It was my first time sailing too! not that fun to pitch the first time you take your hobie out!!

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'72 Hobie 16
with
#56 Gonzo Nationals

GREAT SENSATION,GETTING THAT ONE HULL WAY UP IN THE AIR,WITH A CONSTANT WIND,MISSION BAY IS CALLING!

It's been a while but when a Hobie really gets going not only do hulls fly but the whole boat skips across the water spending more time in the air then in the water. What a feeling sitting out on the trapeze skipping across the water like a stone thrown by a god.

Can't wait till I get a harness

I don't have aharness yet either but see the need for one in the future!

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~Tom in CT
81' H-16

what does it mean when you "pitchpole"?

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~Tom in CT
81' H-16

Its when the bows submerge completely in the water instantly and the whole boat flips on itsself nose forward...you get thrown off the trap, your crew goes sailing towards where the bow used to be, and the whole boat just basicaly dies.

Its the coolest thing ever....sometimes it can be a slow thing and you can stop it, but most times you cant. your leeward hull will start digging first, then go underwater and you go flying. Literally.

once you spot your hull digging hard, pop main sheet out and lean as far astern as possible to stop it.....otherwise, sheet in harder and have fun on the ride!

WARNING: if your an "older" sailor, pitchpoling might not be fun for you for us young guys, thats half the fun...especiall on a downwind broad reach going over waves

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1981 Hobie 16
1982 Hobie 14 turbo (sold)
1996 SeaDoo GTI
1999 Hunter 340

I always thought it was pitch pulling. I guess I learned something new today. The way to avoid it is to keep weight to the stern especially when flying a trapeze.

goldencove: Search Youtube on "pitchpolling" and you'll quickly see what this is...

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'81 H16

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

Jman: I checked it out on youtube....looks more like catapolting !

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~Tom in CT
81' H-16

This brings up a newbie question. When pitch poling or a more normal capsize is there a best safety practice if you are on the trapeze? I only have a few sails in but I have young teens and don't want to see them hurt or scared that they don't want to sail.

Hey Sleepy, I have the exact same concern with my 8 y.o. twin girls. I simply tone it down when they're on board. I don't have to go 20 knots and I don't have to fly a hull. Travel out and sheet out. They can trap out when I'm cruising gently along and that's plenty exciting for them. Like you I don't want to risk ruining them on sailing at such a young age.

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'81 H16

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

and don't forget weight distribution upwind / downwind ... When sailing downwind bring your weight to the "back of the bus", rear crossbar. ( even when trapping out) And, the more the wind builds, move your weight aft to keep from pitch-poling, as well as spilling the main as needed )
.. upwind, bring it forward, and in really light air, you can really get up on that front crossbar to keep the hulls flat and make some motion with more "waterline"

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'99 WAVE
Gulf Breeze, FL

Most definitely...great question Sleepy!

Have a "plan" before you leave the beach, or go over it first thing when all are on the boat.

In event of pitchpole unfortunately there's not much you can do to prevent one on the trapeze from "flying" forward (unless you have a chicken line, or use the righting line...another thread?). Let the trapeze artist know what is/will happen in that situation, what the boat will do, bow/s down, rear up. Point out the metal parts forward of their position, sidestay/shroud, mast, jib blocks, bridle wire. If at all possible is best to fly to the water and land clear of the boat (and all the hard metal parts), like a rock on the end of a string. If double trapped be aware of incoming projectiles from behind, i.e. the skipper.

In event of capsize I recommend trying to stay on the upper rail and carefully lowering yourself down, once again describing and trying to let the crew vizualize what will happen. I try (as skipper) to jump off the rear and away from the sail (but not too far) giving the crew more room to make an exit off the rail if necessary. Primary concern here again is if you feel the need to jump off, jump away from metal parts.

The first thing that will happen IMMEDIATELY after capsize is a hail by all on board of "ARE YOU OK?" and subsequent responses. Depending on wind a boat could be going to turtle position after capsize, and if a crew is hooked on something this can result in drowning (DEATH). Serious stuff here folks, even in a "cute" little lazy dump of the boat someone can get tangled up in sheet or who knows what. ALWAYS make sure everyone (that was) onboard responds ASAP after capsize.

soapbox slid back under desk...carry on

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Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com