flipping the boat

I have been sailing my old 16 for 2 years in the ocean on the west coast... almost always solo i weigh 150#... i haven't taken the boat out in really strong winds for fear of flipping it... max wind 10k... my question is... is there anyone else out there who hasn't flipped their boat... i find by spilling off enough wind i seem to be OK.. and at 60 i have lost my need for a lot of speed....
I am cutting down an older mainsail .... down to the reefing holes and fitting a old boom so this year i can try out some bigger winds.... i would like to hear from some non flippers... are there any out there????

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•Present boat -1998 Hobie 16 Solana Sails furling jib[/size]

Trying not to capsize is a poor alternative to preparing for it, especially on a 16. I weigh enough that righting the boat is not a problem, but for those who need more weight there are tricks and tools you should familiarize yourself with just in case. As the saying goes, it's better to have what you don't need than to need what you don't have.

I enjoy capsizing for the excitement before (WAAA-HOOO!!! Top speed, baby!), during (Uh oh. . . I think this is it. . . I hope I don't get clothes-lined or a gash on my body), and after (I managed to stay on board! And did you see me backflip off the high hull?! That was great!) the whole event. However, considering your age and short experience, your apprehension is understandable. My 60 year old father-in-law had great difficulty hauling himself back on the boat after we flipped, and he was so shell-shocked by the whole experience it took him about another five minutes to say anything. Think about practicing on the beach (gently push the boat over onto the sand) or just off shore to get a feel for how the process works.

waldorf,

I can appreciate your attitude for not wanting to flip and losing that "need for speed". The older I get the less "fun" righting a boat from capsize becomes, but... Do us all a favor and get some sort of system to right your boat in an emergency. Whether that be a righting bag or Rick White's power righting system, get something. Next get someone who can go with you, or a support boat, and go practice using this new system. Capsize the boat on purpose and become confident you can right it successfully on your own. We don't want a freak wind causing a freak accident and you getting hurt...or worse! If you can't successfully right the boat I'd suggest getting a Wave.

Good Luck, keep posting and let us know how it goes.

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Sheet In...Max Out
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There are only two types of H16 sailors: 1) Those who have flipped their boats. 2) Those who haven't flipped their boat yet.

You know, I wasn't going to respond to this post but after hearing all the talk about being 60, I just couldn't resist. The only difference between Waldorf and I is that this is my fourth year sailing and I weigh 65 pounds more than he does.

Waldorf, do not have your sail re-cut to minimize your sail area. You just might need it on those days when the wind is less than adequate. As far as you feeling too physically inferior to right your boat, that's hogwash. Realizing that I am 60 and that righting can be a physical task, I exercise and stretch routinely (especially during the season) to insure that I'll be prepared whenever it happens. I didn't start capsizing until my second year of sailing, and that was when I started stretching my sailing skills. As a matter of fact, the last time I capsized, it was intentional. I typically sail solo but I was breaking in a new crew last year and just wanted her to know what to expect whenever it happened again. She did great, especially since I didn’t warn her before the capsize.

Like you, when I first started sailing, I just wanted to sail flat with no challenges. Then I noticed that all the guys that were sailing faster than me were also sailing a lot smoother. If you sail in the ocean, you know what I'm talking about. Trust me . . . once you know that you can right your boat, you won’t worry as much about the challenges.

After much thought and much counsel, I decided to go with the righting bag. It gives me more weight than I need but works in those "not so ideal" righting conditions. It's like Buzzman2 said. There are two kinds of cat sailors. . . . those that have capsized and those that will.

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Happy Sailing,

David

I agree with everyone here, its not if but when you end up flipping the boat. I too am 60 and every year I practise righting the boat. Once you've done it several times you lose your fear of it and now you can feel comfortable pushing the boat a little harder. It still pays to be heedful of your sailing abilities and current conditions, having a smaller main sail for the days that you just don't feel comfortable is not a bad thing. My personal experience with the reefed in main sail on the 16 was in a big wind solo on the boat it didn't seem to make much difference I just ended up in the water a little later than sooner

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

Here's a well-written and humorous account from a new sailor of flipping a boat. Notice how fear overcomes the author, while the more experienced sailor armed with knowledge and experience is comfortable.

That righting pole they sell in California is supposed to be awesome for single handed righting. Its on thebeachcats.com but I cant remember any more about it than that.

I had a righting pole on my FX for a while. It's convenient and easy to use, but Installing and getting it dialed in is a bummer. I got rid of it, because I found out a pretty light person can right the FX solo...and I'm pretty heavy, so it worked out:)

I have heard from some of my customers that shimmying out on the righting pole is next to impossible unless you have the upper body strength. I might suggest the righting bag.

I think that the most important thing for righting a boat other than weight, is simply having the confidence to do it. Practice righting your boat with a friend in calm water. Get comfortable with your system!

When I practice with the scouts I do it in about 5' feet of water so that a team of adults can control the boat while firmly planted in the sand.

Another important ingredient to righting your boat is having a sealed mast. Once water starts to fill your 26' mast it gets pretty heavy, making it very difficult/ impossible to right.

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Waldorf --

I can appreciate the fact that you are sailing solo. My suggestion will not help you in that regard. But you must absolutely flip the boat. First thing you do this Spring as soon as the water is warm enough, is go out and flip the boat! Take a friend with you.

Flipping the boat is the very first thing we teach on the water in Hobie 101. Most people are scared to flip the boat. We overcome that fear by flipping it over in controlled conditions so they realize it is no big deal.

As I mentioned, it probably won't help you when you are solo. Or it may. I have flipped my boat a bunch of times solo. I cannot get it over myself. So I flag down a speedboat, have them grab the tip of the mast, and they walk down the mast as I am leaning out. That usually works.

But you won't know what I am talking about till you flip your boat. Did I mention...FLIP YOUR BOAT!!!

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Peter Nelson

Thanks for all your replies ...I WILL put the wetsuit on and find a friend to flip with this spring... i know i have to get out of my comfort zone to get better... i am still going to cut down that extra mainsail at the reefing point and put it on the extra boom... just to see if works in bigger winds..... thanks again for all your encouragement ...... it sounds like everyone has flipped except me......

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•Present boat -1998 Hobie 16 Solana Sails furling jib[/size]

. . . . . but not for long.

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Happy Sailing,

David

Hey, I've capsized to windward, too, and twice the wind was strong enough that we were double trapped. Once because the skipper fell overboard, and once because the skipper accidentally dumped the main and teabagged us. While I suppose you're not the sort to strap on the harness, I relate these stories so that you understand that things can go wrong in ways you may not imagine with the result that you need to right the boat.

I have to flip my boat!! Two seasons now on the lake and I have yet to do it. The wind has tried, but I wuss out everytime and just let it out a bit. I'm in shallow water and worry that I'm going to be hosed if I turtle.. also, I need a friend with me just in case I can't do it by myself.. but I'm 265.. I should be able to solo right it.

That story was funny! The first time I flew a hull, was the most fun I've ever had on a boat, I imagine the first time I trap out, will replace that memory of the most fun. I didn't grow up on the ocean, but instead, one of the biggest non-great inland lakes in the country.. so I've been around water forever. Catsailing has far exceeded my "fun" rating in comparison to any other watersport and as a rec sailor, it's cheaper than the others too!

has anyone come across video of 16s being righted... i have only seen one on utube... the one without a boom..... look up

Capsize Kentern

cheers

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•Present boat -1998 Hobie 16 Solana Sails furling jib[/size]