Single-handed righting with a mast float

I was out on the water today by myself. I thought it would be a smart thing to adjust the main cleat so that it catches easier when I sheet in. The unintended consequence was that when a puff hits, it is slightly more difficult to dump. You know what happened next...

I know righting that sucker is impossible for myself, (~175 lbs) but I was wondering- if I got a mast bob, would it be possible? The jet skier who helped me out only had to nudge the mast out of the water and up it came.

If not, what is the best thing? A canvas bucket?

Thanks,

Mike Kuhl

A righting bucket - similar to a canvas bag. Our Hobie dealer in San Diego advised me a few years ago to get the larger bag with the block & tackle. I weigh about 165 lbs. I've used it once & it worked well. It gives me peace of mind when I sail singlehanded. I use the righting line whenever I capsize with a crew. It's quicker & easier to use. I carry both under the tramp - attached to the dolphin stryker.
Rich

I have a "Bob" on my 16'. Im 6'-2" and 220 lbs. I can't right the boat by myself. I have tried to prove them all wrong but, I just can't do it.

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I wish winter was not so long in Sask. Canada. It's hard to sail on ice! 1984 16' hobie cat Sail# 84848

There must be something that I am missing. I sail almost exclusively solo and have no problems righting my H16. I am 5'8" and 200 lbs (I know, it's embarrassing) so not a real bruiser or anything. The first time I struggled, until I realized that the hulls need to be pointing into the wind. After that, I have had no difficulty. My mast seems to be well sealed, cause it has never been even close to turtling and I don't have a Bob. I just lean back on my Hawaiin righting line and up she comes. I do have to wait a bit until the bows clock into the wind. A couple of times I have had to swim the bows into the wind, but mostly I have just waited and it spins on it's own. The times I have gone over the wind is always blowing stink off a skunk so that has always been a big help. I have also learned that you have to dive under the tramp for the upwind pylon or it can go over the other way. By the time I climb aboard, I'm already sailing again, and cooled off. What a bonus!
Anyway, get the bows into the wind and that should take care of the problem. (Oh to be 165 again!)

One thing I wonder about is that although the bob will keep you from turtling, is the added weight of the bob on the end of the mast. I am sure a bob does not weigh much, but after all, it is a little additional weight you are trying to lift way out on the end of the mast. Maybe someone smarter than me can instruct us on the physics part of it all.

I haven't tried it yet, but in a previous thread on this topic someone suggested to try (1) getting some air under the sail to help break the surface tension, swim around and lift the sail off the water (2) rock the hulls while trying to pull it upright- stand back near the stern and as the bows come up, run forward and lean back on your righting line- that also helps with (1)

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Alan
'86 H16, Sail #89057

I found keeping my jib cleated and my main sheet uncleated works best. Sometimes it's easy and other times it requires alot of grit. The most important part is hulls into the wind. If you have gusty conditions, keep your eye on the water and wait for one. I try to make sure I have all of these things done and ready before I start trying. I also think that it's easier to actually recover from turtle then it is to right my boat, so I've never bothered with "the bob". The bob still isn't a bad idea. I've been off the Carolina coast about 2 miles out solo and turtled and wished I had a bob. Just so someone could see me if I couldn't recover or right her, because with the swells I couldn't even see land. Patience is asset as well, I try to exert my efforts in one minute intervals. It seems like it takes some time for the energy to transfer and things start moving up.