The 16 won't turn into the wind on its side...

Ok... So out in heavy air solo yesterday... 25+ winds.. I left the jib on shore... used the jib sheet to tension the rig and I weigh 225lbs... had a frign blast but here was the issue...

Once over... Normally I just stand on the bows and she swings into the wind... But out of 4 times over yesterday.. (what fun. . I battled that steady air for 5 hours...) twice I actually gave up and turtled the boat to get the boat turned around so I could right it... That worked really great until the last time when the mast developed a leak for whatever reason..

Swimming.. Trying to ride the stern.... Nothing seemed to work but turtling and bringing it back up the other way?

Only thing I can figure is both hulls took on more water than typical and one of them took on quite a bit... (2 gallons maybe ) and maybe the mast was leaking the whole time, dragging the water and not letting the boat turn head to wind? With the heavy air it had no trouble popping up under just my weight... It wasn't leaking enough to keep me from righting without help until the last time... and frankly... by then I was exhausted... and not far from shore... So... I did that one the very easy way after a short break...


Oh... and the best was laying it over... and then sliding down side of the hull into the water like a water slide... That may be my new favorite exit move...


Guess I will just get it sealed up and try again..

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www.thehobiewayoflife.com

In heavy wind, after I have my sheets loose and my righting line set, I jump back in the water and grab the bridle line near the bow of the lower hull.

While in the water your body will act like an anchor creating drag so the boat will turn into the wind (you can also help this by swimming it around). Once it is aligned properly, I get back on the lower hull and upright it.

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Tim
84 H16
82 H16
87 H14T
Tortola Sails: 115222
Blue Prism Sails: 88863
Clearwater, FL

I just walk towards bow and my weight pushes it down into the water and the wind pivots the boat around the bows. Then back to about the cross bar and lean out on my righting line. Seems to work great. Don't try it in 35 mph winds though. Exercise in futility. Lots of fun though.

Yep.. normally walking to the bows works... heck I was holding the bridle to keep balance...

but dang... I did jump in water and try grabbing the bridle and swimming, stupid thing just would not turn ... It almost acted like it was trying to sail a close reach on its side with the tramp for power..


Heck one time to I even stood on the stern and pulled the boat into an over rotated wheelie.. Almost did the trick....

Just to much air I guess...


No worries though.. all rivets out of mast and everything cleaned, waiting on me to seal it up properly..

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www.thehobiewayoflife.com