Oh yeah. Definitely older style. Very full. Bag launched. Thick heavy poll. I think this was one of the earlier spinnakers on cats. Done before the I-20's w/ snuffers came out. But I bought the boat used like that and it was a great way to learn about spinnakers, without a big investment. Rather then update the spinnaker and poll I put the money towards an F16.

Are you the one who posted the thing online about how to rig a spinnaker on a 5.5, your situation sound the same as his did.

Sure you save a few bucks in the beginning but updating old boats is not cheap nor is all the additional maintenance and repairs! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Besides if you pitch-pole a 5.2 while sailing single handed you'll need to be rescued. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

That isn't completely true. I can right my 5.2 alone and have yet to not be able to right it alone.

Are you Hulk Hogan or what? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If you turtle then you'll have to wait for the rescue people. In cold water you could freeze to death waiting.

well, ya. but you could also choke on a twinky as you sit there watching springer.

well, ya. but you could also choke on a twinky as you sit there watching springer. [/quote]


: ) yesyesyes.

"don't climb the tree Dear, you might fall."

No, I am about 6 foot tall and weigh 180 with all my gear on and if I turn my 5.2's mast into the wind and get my weight really low and far out it has always come up.

Also I turned over on purpose in dead calm wind and was able to right it but it took a while.

I'm taller and weight more, but I can't get my 5.2 back up when I capsize. It has probably something to do with the fact that the mast is leaking quite a lot despite my attempts at plugging it.

That's why I only sail it on a reservoir with a safety boat on hand at all times...

i'm just over 6'2" and 75kg, 170lbs and i haven't been able to right my 5.2 the 2 times it's been sideways

with a strong wind under the sail i only needed the mast tip lifted about 3 feet before my weight, fully out on a line, brought her up

the 2nd time with a very light wind i needed the mast tip about 10feet out of the water before my weight brought it up the rest of the way

in a few weeks the mast will be down and i'll drill off the rivets holdingbe checking it for leaks and removing the top to see if it's got some waterlogged foam in there

My mast must be dry and water tight because if both of you who are bigger than i am can't get the thing upright and I can somthing isn't right.

I know mine is airtight because once when I turned over I decided to chill for a while and sit there and drink a beer on the lower hull.

If you have trouble righting, are you sure you're doing all your "house keeping" first? Ease the main sheet and traveler, get the spin back in the bag. Sometimes the mainsheet can wrap around a lower batten tip, causing the main to form a pocket that holds water.

When I do all these things, the Blade pops right up. If I don't, it won't! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Checking the mast seal would be a top priority though.

Yes and still a bit of effort involved! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> But the 5.2 is a heavy boat with a very heavy mast when compared to the Blade.

the more i think about it the more i think that a righting pole like rick's power righter

http://www.catsailor.com/power_righter.html

should be the 1st thing fitted to an older 2 man cat that is being sailed solo.

it would give you the confidence to keep sailing in heavier weather, save the boat if it went over on a lee shore, or out at sea, and of course save your life if you are far out at sea and it is cold