Recovery from Turtle

Capsized this weekend in 15-20 knot winds / 2-3ft wind waves.. and the boat turtled due to wind on tramp and slow to get back on

I have turtled a couple of times before and had no trouble getting the boat back up on its side by sitting on the lee stern with crew (around 150-160kg total) Actually in some way I found recovery form a turtle quicker than bring the bows on a capsized boat round so the mast is back into the wind

This time with about 10kg less crew weight we could just not get the boat on its side.. in deep water so the mast was not stuck..

Would 10 kg make such a difference ..any ideas or tips?

I have found that bows into wind help me recover from turtle. If it's windy the top current can effect the ability to recover and if your pointed in the wrong direction it can actually work against you. Patience is key as well.

I put a Hobie Bob on my 16. I looks very dumb but it gives me time to gather myself after a nasty pitchpole and get my boat going again.

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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

I haven't had many experiences at being turtled but when I did, I was able to get out of it by myself at a weight of 175 lbs, which is 80 kilos. Do you possibly have water in your mast?

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Howard

One key point is to stand on / near the downwind hull. If on the other side... won't come up. The wind will try to push the hulls down wind and the sails act as a sea anchor to help rotate the boat onto its side. If pointed more into the wind, you don't get the sea anchor rotation effect from the sails.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Call me a boyscout but man I believe in being prepared... You think the Hobie Bob looks uncool you should see the 14" round Overtons' ski buoy I had tied to the top of my mast to keep from going Turtle!! HA!! I don't care who laughs at me I do not EVEN want to go Turtle. It sound real unhealthy for the mast and sail should you encounter the BOTTOM!! Look for a Hobie Bob on my mast this summer except mine will be know as a Hobie John. Keep it REAL!!
John

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MAN... DO I LOVE THIS HOBIE CAT!!!

I sail a Hobie 14 and it has turtled a few times. The key is to get on the lower hull fast enough to keep it from going turtle. I know, sounds like an obvious answer, but you need to be prepared. You can keep it from turtling just by standing on the hull.

Have a righting line that you can get to FAST. The Hawaiian system is good because it is always ready and snaps back to place when not in use.

I can right mine from turtle easily now that I have done it a few times. I have an extra line that I can clip into the dolphin striker with a carribeaner. I clip it to the upwind corner of the dolphin striker wire near the front corner casting, then I stand on the downwind stern of the hull as far back as I can. It usually comes up pretty easily. Once the boat is on it's side, it is a matter of righting it as normal. The good thing about being turtled is that you can make sure you get the boat oriented correctly for an easier righting.

Hope this helps