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I could see the spinaker pole being a bit on an obstacle for this trick.


I'm small. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, you got it in one. As the boat starts to come up, the person on the inside grabs the striker and gets a leg around the beam. The person on the end of the righting line has to commit to getting wet, but the other doesn't and their full weight winds up on the tramp, preventing a flip in the other direction. The move isn't as tricky as it sounds - you have to be quick but not preternaturally so. The boat is coming down to meet you as you're climbing the righting line, grabbing the striker and getting a leg up.


John's right and this is a valuable trick for righting the boat in heavy air. When Frank and I flipped during the steeplechase a couple of years ago, it was blowing pretty hard (we pitchpoled while sailing dead downwind WITHOUT the spinnaker). As soon as the boat started to right, I sat on the hull in the water with my legs hanging over on the deck and I rolled around with the boat and was on deck and ready to help Frank get onboard immediately. That's how Karl stayed dry during our capsize during Spring Fever. It's not difficult but it is easy to underestimate how soon you need to be moving toward the topside of the boat.

EDIT: I also meant to add that in the heavy stuff (offshore and out of the reach of help) it is MUCH safer to get someone on the boat early. If it's blowing over 18, one person can probably right the boat on their own - have one person sit or kneel on the hull in front of the beam ready to walk over to the top as it comes up. Around the main beam is really cool too but difficult with the self tackers.

Jake Kohl