Does anyone have any experience with these? Do they work? If so, I might be able to single-hand my TheMightyHobie18 when I can't find a crew. How do you use it?

D. Ho
TheMightyHobie18 1067

On my I17R, I used the huge Murrays bag that had a tackle system (for a couple of mechanical advantages). I'd tie it to the righting line, fill it up, lift it up with the tackle, and then lean out with it behind me. It weighed a ton and would right the boat instantly. It was overkill for the I17R. I don't know if it would be enough to solo-right a TheMightyHobie18, but it was *really* heavy. Do a test with a friend nearby.

It was harder to retrieve the bag than it was to use the bag: once you are upright it is dragging six feet below your boat.

I have successfully righted my old TheMightyHobie18 3 times. 1 time with a 160 lbs kid (I am 190). I am positive the large Murray’s bag will work.

I just purchased a Murray's bag (used). I have seen them successfully lift a 5.7 G-cat several times. Yes they work... but be sure to tie a stopper knot in the end of your line or your bag may float to the bottom.

The Murray’s bag I have has a strap on the bottom. I plan to add a little line to pull it up bottom side up so it spills out as you lift.

I attached an S-hook on the block and plan to tie a truckers knot in my righting line so the block will simply hook on at that point.

My biggest issue is where to store it (since I don’t want to remove my tramp to get a pocket sown in the bottom) on my new Mystere 5.5 . I think I have figured out a way how to hang a little bag under my tramp. I will update you with a picture when complete in a few days.

Prindles always came with a nice canvas type bag that was meant for putting the boat bits in - that always made a good righting bag. I think it was about 18" square.

I got to try out my new righting bag yesterday (not on purpose). We had 25mph gusts and i was gybing on my way back to the beach. The good news is my Murrey's bag lifted my Mystere 5.5 right up (once i was able to get enough water in it) solo handled. The entire operation took about 3 minutes. The boat is about 450lbs (est) with gear. 550 with beer onboard (kidding).

The bad news... the paper thin window on my Tornado sail is now history. I should have tried to slide down the tramp as it went over, but i tried to climb up the hull. I couldn't and as i fell i had the choice, the boom or the sail....

Thank goodness I sail with a guy who repairs sails. HE IS DA MAN. He went out today and bought enough material for a few of us with the same sail (and same paper thin window).

I wasnt the only one to suffer. A beautiful Nacra 20 is now in need of a new window... a G-Cat 5.7 pitched right in front of me and the wind (and crew still on the wire) kept it pitched for a few minutes (sterns 10 feet up).

A few H16's and prindles also went for a swim!

And a good time was had by all!

If it is a colapsible bag, try a retrieval line tied to the outside of the bottom. When you pull the line the bag colapses making retrieval a lot easier. It's almost like emptying the bag.