Hey Guys,

Took my prindle 19 out, around the cocoa beach area yesterday (Sunday). Went out in the morning, pretty calm winds 5-10, boat did fine, noticed the boat seemed to have a lot of weather helm to it, but it may have been that the ruddered had a hard time staying down. I went out a little later when the winds picked up and not too far off the beach the hull lifted and the boat capsized. I had a really hard time getting it back up with two people (360 lbs) total. I tried to get it pointed into the wind but the current started to sweep me into rock so i brought it to a beach and got it righted. We rode back in under jib only and the weather helm was almost unmanagable. Could this have been due to just having the jib up? I bought the murrays big bag with the block and tackle so that I won't have to worry about righting it again I hope.

On my P18-2, if the rudders aren't locked all the way down I get some weather helm. Or if one pops up while under way, I get some severe weather helm.

Not sure about riding under the jib alone. Never tried it, although it would seem to me that you should have lee helm in that scenario.

I think that was my problem, I noticed that the tail for the lines that control the rudders may have been keeping them from going down all the way. Where are people attaching their righting lines to?

I have a grommet just behind the mast base. I have my righting line threaded through that grommet (with the knot under the tramp). The rest of the line is coiled and stuffed into the bag on top of the tramp. When I need it, I can stand on the lower hull, pull the line out and toss it over the upper hull.

I would bet your helm issues had more to do with your rudders than your jib.

I have my line looped around the mast base and the rest of it stuffed in my pocket in the center of my tramp (along with the righting bag/block and a colapsable paddle). I can reach in there while standing on the hull (if on its side). I have a truckers hitch in the righting line for my righting bag blocks to hang from.

Andrew, I think you are right about the steering issue. What righting bag do you use, I bought the murray big one with the block and tackle so i'm hoping that it works real well. I may setup two righting lines one for me and one for the bag.