Going to preface the post with "a lot depends on your technique". I have watched one of my close sailing friends who weighs 150-155 consistently be able to right his H16 in all but the most severe weather with nothing more than a righting line for the past 30+ years. In the earlier years with my first 18M 89-2001 I carried Murray's large righting bag since I either sailed solo or had my son beginning at age of four racing with me. It worked OK but took time to deploy and then store and the bag needed to be as full as possible. With the new boat in 2001 I choose to go with the Power Righter to speed deployment. The Power Righter is not advertised as a solo righting system and as such your solo success depends on technique. I use to weigh slightly (5lbs) less than you and was able to solo right my H18M about 70% of the time (I still carry the old large righting bag on the tramp as a backup). You must have the upper body strength to be able to get out to almost the end of the pole (and the pole properly angled upwards) while keeping your body out of the water and your bows orienated correctly to the wind. I am sure if the wings were not on the boat my success rate would be 90-95%...when capsized the weight of the upper wing is past vertical and the water resistance of the submerged wing slows the righting action, I also choose to forego a hobie bob because the extra weight on the top of the mast. Next Spring will be able to report back on how well it works now that I am 25+ lbs lighter.
Randy
_________________ 2001 H18 w/SX wings & spinnaker #16740 (purchased new) 1989 H18 w/SX wings #14565 (purchased new, sold 2000) Would buy another if Hobie would build it.
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