Can't get righting right

I know this subject has been discussed a million times in this forum. I have read lots of them, but in practice I just can't seem to get it right.

I have an 86 H16 with a Baby Bob on top of the mast. Yesterday I was sailing with my nephew when we flipped. Having read a lot about righting I felt confident we could right the boat by ourselves, but we could not. I weight 190 and my nephew weights about 150, so we had plenty of weight. The wind was about 15 mph plus gusts.

Anyway, the biggest problem we had was that I could not get the boat turned anywhere close to 45 degrees into the wind. Everytime we tried to swim it around to the right direction the wind just kept flattening the boat out to 90 degrees to the wind with the mast facing directly into the wind.

We tried righting with the boat 90 degrees to the wind, body-over-body with both of us pulling on the righting line while standing under the dolphin striker. At best we got the bob just out of the water, but we could not get it any higher. Finally we were able to right the boat with the help of a powerboat but I was exhaused by the time we finished.

Two questions. First, how do I get the boat pointed 45% to the wind? Second, what other questions suggestions do you have based on what I have told you?

Thanks for your help!

_________________
Michael
'86 H16 #91487

Moving forward on the hull should sink the bow and slow the drift which will start the boat turning towards 45.

The risk is tipping forward, so be careful.

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

Also did you have the lines out of the cleat? It will make a big difference if the sails can flop around

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http://www.GetWetSailing.com It's A Great Day To Sail!

GetWetSailing,

Yes I did have the main sheet uncleated and the main was deep down in the water so it should not have been carrying any water weight.

Matt,

Thanks for your suggestion. Can you remind me what the recommended minimum righting weight is for an H16? Does that weight requirement increase as a result of the Baby Bob on top of the mast?

_________________
Michael
'86 H16 #91487

Racing weight is 285, so easily rights the boat at that. Yes, the weight of the Bob will increase the lever load on the mast and require more weight to right. In a breeze, typically less weight is needed due to the lifting force of the wind on sails and against the trampoline.

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

Matt,

To clarify, are you saying that if my H16 is at racing weight I will need 285lbs to right the boat in no wind? I've seen lots of required weights for righting but I don't ever remember seeing a number that big. If that's the case then I will definitely have to invest in a righting bag.

Does something like Rick White's Power Righting Pole provide significant additional leverage, thereby descreasing the amount of weight I need to right the boat?

Thanks again!

_________________
Michael
'86 H16 #91487

285 was a reference to the typical crew that would right the 16. I am sure it takes a little less in some conditions. I sailed under weight by maybe 20 lbs and still could right it, but had to get my crew on my shoulders at times.

Righting poles typically allow righting while single handed sailing. Water bags are also a good choice and far less complicated and less hardware (by far) hanging under the boat.

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