a newbs fifth outing, good wind and no crew.

I knew I would have to go solo sooner or later but didn't think it would be this soon. But since sailing four times in light winds I have been anxious to get out on the water in better wind, and that's not an everyday thing on a man made lake in NW Alabama. Yesterday promised 12mph wind and I was not wanting to miss out but my friend and crew member had to work on his off day. So I thought about it and decided to give it a try.

I found the parking lot at the dam empty so I couldn't ask for help from anyone and the wind was already heavier than the other outings. I stepped the mast alone and without any special rig. I'm 6', 200# but 51 years old. When I state my age I feel like I must be talking about someone else, can't believe I made it this far. Anyway, I tied my righting line to the base of the mast support of the trailer and ran it over the top and back to the mast area. I used the tiller bar leaning vertically against the front crossbar to hold the line up high enough to reach it after lifting the mast. The shrouds were in the top hole. I placed my cooler under the mast at the rear crossbar to raise it some, then lifted and leaned against the mast while reaching for the line and tied it off good. After standing there looking at it a moment I decided it was safe to go clip the forestay. I haven't read here of anyone doing this so I am concerned that I should check with you guys to see if this is safe to repeat next time I go solo. Disregarding the physical exertion, was this safe to do? The mast was secure forward and leaning slightly to one side against shroud tension. And the boat was still strapped to the trailer. BTW, there was nothing around me but pavement in all directions and that would always be possible in the future. After the sail, de-rigging was solo and without incident.

The payoff for my effort was finally feeling the power of this old boat. It healed over and made some wonderful creaking noises while kicking up more wake than I expected. I had to use the hiking straps for the first time and was concerned about lifting a hull since I probably couldn't right the boat solo. It felt like the heal over reached a certain point and that's where it stays. I think it would have taken quite a bit more wind to be in risk of capsize but my experience is too little to know for sure. Winds were steady at 12 mph in a sweet spot on the lake and I sailed back and forth across that spot many times with the same amount of heal over. I was sailing with wind abeam while holding both sheets in one hand not cleated. I pulled and eased both sheet together and moved my hand position fore and aft to balance the sail trim. I have no clue what I'm doing but I thought if the hull lifted too high I could ease both sheets quickly and turn in to wind. Do you guys think this is good procedure or am I lucky I didn't take a plunge? Should I have been able to lift a hull in this wind if I knew what I was doing? The windward hull appeared to be almost airborne but I was too busy to get a good look.

It was a great day on the water and I felt very tired at the end of the day. Couldn't think of anything I would rather have done and wish to repeat it soon. However I really want your critique of my actions to help me know if I'm on the right course and not just an accident waiting to happen.

I never knew a fellow could have this much fun with no internal combustion or recreational stimulants.

Thanks for your help.

Bama,

That's exactly how I used to raise my mast on my H16's solo. Did you tie your righting line rope to the trapeze wires or the forestay when lifting the mast. I always use the trapeze wires for lifting as this free's up the forestay for pinning when the mast is up. What did you tie the rope off to before you climbed off the tramp?

I'm also 51 and can't believe it I'm 6'-1" and weigh 225 pounds. I used to be able to right my H16 singlehandidly and when I got my 18 wanting to see if I could right it by myself, I took a friend out, capsized the boat and made him tread water while I tried to right it. I came close and maybe could have done it if the wind were blowing a little harder (capsized it in approx 5 knot winds) but nevertheless, I was unable to pull it over by myself.

I now carry a righting bag if I go out by myself although I haven't had the opportunity to test it yet. I would highly suggest the same for you or some other type of singlehanded righting device before you go out by yourself again. The only way to know for sure is to test it with a friend along in case you're unable to pull it over by yourself. Make sure you're using the right technique as well. I won't get into the righting technique as it is well published and easily obtainable. I think there's even a quick note on it in the Hobie parts catalog.

Hope this helps,

Tom
H18M

Good to see another 50+,.....we ain't done yet. I'm just now getting started.

On the lifting, I didn't use any lines to assist. The side shrouds were in the top hole and everything else was free. l lifted the mast off the cooler at the rear and up into place. Then I used the righting line propped up next to me to tie it off upright by wrapping it securely around the mast just above head high, the other end secure at the top of the mast stand on the trailer. Then I could hop down and secure the forestay. A more complete description is in the second paragraph above just after I was rambling about my age.

As long as I can control the mast until the shrouds begin to help it worked good. But I wouldn't want to do it that way everyday. Just when the wind is blowing and I can't pass it up, even if nobody can go with me.


I hear you on the righting bag. I capsized it at the dock one day to work on the main's hook and my brother and I righted it. We did it fine but it would be more than I could do alone. I read someone uses a garbage bag as an impromptu bag.

Thanks for the feedback.

Nice technique on stepping the mast solo. I have a similar method, which I hate using, because I just don't trust it. It almost failed once on me.

I normally sail solo, with a harness. I love getting one up while leaning out. You said you hold both sheets in hand to keep her down, well when I sail in 10-15 mph winds I always keep the jib cleated and don't even worry about the Jib. The main sail has I would say 85% of the flipping force. The jib has almost nothing. In good wind (10+) I don't cleat the main, I hold it in hand. When I feel a hull begin to rise I do one of two things, some times both. If the hull rises slowly out of the water, I let it rise until it is all the way out, then slowly turn into the wind to stop it(it rises after my tack, as the wind begins to hit the sail again). I like to keep one out for as long as possible. If it rises very fast then I turn into the wind slowly, if that dont help then I let the main out slowly while maintaining course. Letting a little bit of main out will drop a hull fast. The whole time I don't even worry about the jib. I am pretty sure you can get a hull out of the water on 12 mph, especially if your not hiking. Don't be afraid of getting it up, I have never dumped my 18, and have found that the point of no return is pretty far. A hull can get 3 feet or more up before its too late. As soon as I let the main out it comes right down, sometimes to fast and I get dunked for a second.

I have family in Minnesota who has a few sail boats (Hobie, Lazer and something else), but sailing on lakes can be lame, the wind is very patchy, and I hate waiting until you get back to the good spots. I live in San Diego, So i take my Hobie to the ocean, or the bay, but the wind is consistent, and there is more space. But I miss the fresh water, and the warm water. Here the water aint bad in the summer, but it aint like Florida or lakes in the summer.

Have fun.
JD

_________________
ALLEY CAT 1984 RED LINE HOBIE 18 MAGNUM
Sail # 10505 or 277

Greetings. I see I found the 50 something thread.

I turned 51 in July and have been sailing all my life. My brother just stole ($250) a H-18 so here I am. I'm a furloughed pilot and now in SoCal.

Cheers

Welcome aboard Richard! What part of SoCal are you in?

Tom

You can use the main halyard to hold the mast up while you pin the forestay. Connect the "ring" end of the halyard to the front mast support on your trailer (you may need to add a short extension line for it to reach depending on your halyard length). Then raise the mast normal fashion. Once it's up, reach down and pull the slack out of the halyard and cleat or tie off on the mast base. Jump down and connect the forestay, then release the halyard.

sm

Yeah Richard what part of socal? I go sailing all the time, I would like to know some other Hobie 18 owners so make some ocean runs. I have a 81 H18, and I just don't don't like to go out there by myself, trust issues, although I have never had a bad failure, Im sure Im due. That doesn't stop me though, it would be nice to have a fleet.

JD
Sail #277

_________________
ALLEY CAT 1984 RED LINE HOBIE 18 MAGNUM
Sail # 10505 or 277

jmecky, what part of SoCal are you from? I unfortunately live in Bakersfield right now but much prefer to sail in the ocean as opposed to the only decent local lake (Isabella). I usually sail out of Ventura but would be willing to head further south to be able to sail with some fellow H18 sailors! I own an 88 Magnum.

Tom

I'm in Fullerton and go out at Dana Point. I've heard it's windy at Alamitos Bay so definately want to go there. Right now I'm pushing my brother to get the H18 ready for Catalina.

I live in San Diego, and launch out of mission bay or San Diego bay. I went sailing yesterday in mission bay and the wind was great. Using the GPS on my phone I clocked my self at 16 mph, on a down wind run. Any way if you ever want another 18 to sail with shoot me an email. [email protected]. I go sailing 2-3 times a week so Im sure I can accommodate your schedule. Id like to get a meet up going from this site one day, and have like 10 18's racing in the bay.

JD
[email protected]
Hobie 18 Sail #277
C-Weed

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ALLEY CAT 1984 RED LINE HOBIE 18 MAGNUM
Sail # 10505 or 277

Are any of you guys considering coming to Lake Havasu in November for the North American Championships ? There are already 24 Hobie 18's pre registered for the event.

Stephen

_________________
If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

Jmecky, do you launch at or near Campland or sail that end of the bay? I was there about a month ago with my brother and his boys. That was me on a yellow hulled H16 with tequila sails kicking ass on everyone I tried to instigate some tacking duels and maybe some racing. No one took the bait.

The H18 needs a new mast base and a couple other items. They are on order and should arrive soon. Let's go sailing!

Totally into going to LHC. I'm on it.

My good friend used to live there for yrs so I'm pretty familiar with the whole scene. Add cat racing and it can't get much better than that.

If I bring the H18 I'll be solo because my brother will be in Wash DC. I'm still undecided if I'll bring that or my 22' cuddy I/O for booze cruise and a photo boat. I'm leaning toward the power boat since there will be plenty of cats there.

I am sure the organizers would be glad for additional support boat help.

Your fellow Hobie 18 sailors would be delighted to see you on the water racing!

Either way as long as you are there, we are all winners.

Stephen

_________________
If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.