Big Bag Righting, Wadda Ya Think?

I was looking at the big bag righting system from Murrays. I want to do some solo sailing and want to make sure I can get the boat righted when it goes over.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of righting system?

I have the Hawaian Sysytem on already for 2 person ventures.

Thanks

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It's such a fine line between stupid and clever.

86 H16

Not really answering you question but I needed a way to right my boat so I built a righting pole.

I used an old broken polevault pole that can be found at an HS or University with a track program. Then I built a hinge that is riveted to the front crossbar. The base of the pole attachs there and can swing out from directly under that tramp to perpendicular from it. Then I used two eyebolts to attach a low stretch rope the either side of the pole and they lead to either side of the front crossbar and are just loose enough to allow the pole to swing. Then from the back side of the pole I ran another very small cord that runs through the back of the tramp and allows for almost instant storage of the pole once the boat is right side up again.

This works well on my Nacra and I am going to add it to my 14 also so I can have it righted in a matter of seconds.

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

So no problem with 1 person getting it over with the pole?

_________________
It's such a fine line between stupid and clever.

86 H16

We sell a few righitng pole thru the year, everyone loves , I think we have 1 left in stock, you can pick it up when the rest of your stuff gets here, should be here late tomorrow ready on Friday morning.

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Brad Stephens
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i've actually been looking at getting a bag as well. i want to start taking the boat out more even if i can't find a partner. there are two sizes, so what i'm wondering is, if i weigh 185 ish pounds, can i get by with the smaller bag? its theoretical weight when full is 88lbs. the bigger bag, which is twice as costly, adds a much higher theoretical weight. i know some folks on here have said that 220lbs is the weight needed to right the cat, but i don't want to cut it close in any conditions. any input is appreciated. thanks!!

also, just going to throw something out there: for those of you who aren't racing, and don't often sail solo, if your righting system is any more complicated than a 30ft piece of 1/2 inch rope, you wasted some serious dough.

I sail solo most of the time and yes the home built righting pole works well. It doesn't look as nice as the ones that are made by a company but it works. I can right the 5.2 solo no problem. I am sure the same idea would work on the 16 since they are about the same size.

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

Hey guys. Fortunately I'm big/tall enough that I am able to right the 16 solo with little assistance, provided there is some steady wind. Have any of ya'll considered using a heavy duty trashbag, like the kind they make for trash compactors. When I first got my hobie one of my dad's old sailing buddies says he always goes out with one. It would have to be one of the more durable/expensive kinds like they make for trash compactors. Hobie, please don't cut me down. I'm sure they are no where as durable or nearly as long-lasting as the Hobie righting bag but I'll bet it will do the trick for a quick fix if you have concerns about righting. What do ya'll think?
James

Body weight is only one factor while righting a Hobie 16. I have been successful solo with 165 lbs. on windy days over 15 miles, while I probably need to reach for the pole on days below 10 miles per hour. I support the "Solo Right" pole idea. Not sure how well the commercial righting poles will fit under the tramp of a Hobie 16 - The ones I have seen looked like they would extend well past the rear of the tramp.

Patrick

My home built pole also extends beyond the tramp but it doesn't affect anything. All of the rudder and steering assembly is set high so it can just stick out.

I originally used a little shorter pole (about 5 feet) but after testing it I found that to right the boat in anything I needed something a little longer. So I went to 7 feet.

I have found that since I have put the pole on it has made me a better sailor. Before I would not push the boat at all because I feared flipping and not being able to right. Now, I can push the limits a little because I know that if I overturn I can have the boat sailing in a few minutes.

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

The big bag is a bit pricey. I used a size Large water proof reinforced vinal storage bag (the type you roll the end and clip to make a seal). I glued part of an old jib sheet between layers of the end folded over ~2" (looks similiar to the rope bolt of the main sail) and put 4 equally spaced grommets just inside the bolt. I put my 4:1 blocks inside on the bottom, roll it up and fasten it to the lacings under the front of the tramp. It works great and still use it on my H17. Though I'm planning to switch to a power pole system this year. The reason for the switch is that I'm sailing in areas (Columbia River Gorge and Gap) where the swells can get rather large (3-6'+) and when turtled I have found it difficult to ballance on the hull long enough to bring the mast up. A wind surfer friend of mine had to come to the rescue once last year. I figure the poll will provide better stability.

I wonder if the Power Righting System also extend past the tramp? Definantely seems like it might.

Not sure if that would be very comfortable when I get washed of the back of the boat while on the trap.

_________________
It's such a fine line between stupid and clever.

86 H16

I have the end of the pole padded with foam insulation. It makes it easier to use and makes falling off the back of the boat less frightening.

I am not sure how long the power righting system is.... miine is 7 feet. That gets things done quick!! I would think that 5 feet would be enough.

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

Gree2650, I would like to give it a try and fabricate my own righting pole system...
7' pole
What other measurments can u provide to get it right the first time?

Diameter and thickness of the pole, how close to the tip to attach the low stretch lines, how to make the hinge??

thanks!!

I was told that some people are using the telescoping painters poles. Not sure how that would work since I dont think they would hold the weight.

Ill try and find out some more info.

_________________
It's such a fine line between stupid and clever.

86 H16

My righting pole is a broken pole vault pole built for someone about 155 pounds. It has a radius of about 1 inch.

The hinge I machined out of a block of aluminum. It started out two inchs thick and I machined it so that there is a slot in the middle for the pole to pivot in and then I also cut down the outsides so that I had a place to drill holes for rivets. The whole assembly is somewhat difficult to explain by typing but it ended up looking about the an upside down Pi sign if that helps at all.

On the pole I have a hole that I drilled 1 inch up from the bottom. I did this after I made the hinge so that when the pole is extended it can swivel without a problem.

The lines that attach to the end run from either side of the front crossbar eyebolts that are run through the pole 6 inchs below the top of the pole. (make sure to pad the bolts) Also from one of those eye bolts I have a small 1/4 inch line that runs to the rear and through a cleat so that I can pull the pole up without any hassle.

As for the pole supporting weight, it hardly has any weight on it because the lines are doing most of the pulling. The reason for the pole is to hold you away from the boat so the majority of the forces on it are down the pole. Even though I would still suggest using something that can take some pressure.

I think I said before that pole vault poles can be easily had. EVERY track team has some broken poles laying around that they will give away if you ask the coach. I went to OU and got a few old poles that they no longer used and a few broken ones. Now I am working on making righting poles for a few of my friends.

Mistakes I made making it......
1. Didn't use large enough line, there is alot of force on it and I learned the hard way that it will break. Now I am using about what I use on my main sheet. Also some type of cable could be used.

2. Didn't back the eyebolts with washers, had one pull out in testing.

3. No padding the first time out....ouch

4. Thought it would work the first time I built it.


Issues I can see you having....
1. The 16 has a curved front crossbar, my 5.2 is straight. I am currently working on a way to make something work but my machining skills are not to that point yet.

2. It will be directly under the center line of lacing. It could hit you in the knee or toe sometime. It isn't a problem for me because I have the center bar in the tramp on the 5.2 but it might be for you.

3. How long is the tramp on the 16, it might stick out back further.

_________________
Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!