How do you get back on?

I am new to sailing and even newer to sailing Hobies. I bought a new Wave 2 ½ weeks ago. I live in Richland, WA where the wind used to blow all the time. I called Dan Carpentar over in Seattle to see if he sells anything that requires Global Warming to run because we haven’t had any significant wind since I bought the Wave. I thought if I bought something that used Global Warming it might go away also. He laughed.

I was looking forward to today because it was the first forecast of winds. The forecast was for 10 to 12 miles per hour around mid day.

I launched at 12:10 and sailed upriver and upwind for about 1 minute. Unintentional jibe and over she goes. Ok. After several minutes I have it righted but I can’t get my old fat butt back on. I tow along at the back using the rudder to just barely keep it moving toward an island in mid stream and when it gets to shallow water I get back on. The wind is not very strong (leeward side of island) so I think well I’ll try this again except I am going down stream /upwind. When I clear the island there is WIND and SWELLS maybe 3 feet with every once in awhile bigger ones. Every time I get moving my hull starts flying wind gets under the tramp and I am not comfortable so I turn into the wind. At this point another island is working on getting in the way and I am not at all pleased about the prospect of having to tack. I am looking for a good place to beach on the island but every place seems to have too much vegetation at the shore and no sign of beach. I decide to Tack.

Over she goes. I am still a bit tired from the previous struggle so I decided to leave it over while the wind and current got me closer to the East shore. I sat on the hull and rested and enjoyed the ride. I get to the East side in about 2 ½ feet of water and right it. I also decided to stay there until less wind and waves. I got the sail down, all lines put away, paddles back in their spot, everything shipshape. A homeowner on the East shore has watched and offered assistance while I was doing this but he decided I was ok and went back to mowing his lawn. I hear a voice behind me and there is a boat with Wild Life Resources personnel responding as search and rescue. He tells me that “maybe I should quit since it has been reported that I have tipped over twice and the conditions aren’t good.â€

I jump in once in a while when the wind dies down, so I have done this a few times. I go to th rear crossbar, grab th hiking strap, kick and heave a leg on a hull, and sqeeze under the tiller. It would be even easier if I raise the tiller bar.

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Jim

2007 Hobie Wave

I prefer to get back on from the front. I find that by holding on to the mast base it helps me put the boat more upwind having less chance of it taking off on me. I go to the front crossbar and reach for the hiking straps then kick while pulling myself on.

Be careful bringing the capsized boat to shallow water as you might catch the mast and that's never a good thing for the boat or the sail.

Congratulations on the new Wave, you'll get the hang of it!

I went sailing again Saturday. When we were becalmed I tied a loop in the righting line and adjusted it until I could just step up in front of the mast and climb onto the tramp. Works awesome. Took several tries.

Thanks for your replies.

Pete

I like the idea about the righting line. That would make make getting in much easier. I have only climbed ni with another person on the boat so that allows the side to be a little lower in the water.

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There's no motor?

Haven't sailed a Wave, so I don't know if this applies... On my 16 I get in front of the front cross bar (between the hulls), one hand on the hull, and one on the crossbar,and boost myself up backwards so I land sitting on the hull. From there its easy.

Attach a heavy line somewhere on the center lacing and tie the other end to the rear cross bar allowing enough line to drop into the water to facilitate a step for your foot and adjust it accordingly.
You are far better off using the rear crossbar due to the existing weight of the mast on the front crossbar may cause the boat to overturn while you climb onto the tramp. Never forget to release the main line from the harken block when righting ! Using the rear crossbar will help facilitate this objective...

Words for the wise! Never sail alone without a safety line attached to your body.

When I have had to get back on which is 5 times this summer. Mostly I pitch poling (I believe that is what it is called.) usually wind speed is 18-20, 3-4 ft. waves. I smiply grab the boat and pull my self on. But my wife isn't able to have the arm strength to do this. We have figured out that climbing over the bow using the righting rope as a step is the easist for her.