I'm wondering if I can right my H16 by myself. I believe I have the Hawaiian style line system. I also have a bucket. It came with the boat. The books say it has a capacity of 88lbs. I weight 160 lbs. Is that enought to do it?

In most cases, I would say you couldn't. It takes at least 265 lbs to right a 16 in light to moderate air.

You would have an easier time in heavy air, since once the boat is properly oriented, the wind helps right the boat.

Regarding the wind conditions, I made similar experiences. While I am(160lb) able to get the cat out of the water on >15 mph days, I was not able to get it out a few days ago when it was relative mild. My cat is currentely equiped with a righting line. I'm thinking Soloright right now...

Where can I find information on Soloright? I checked the Yahoo web site but it is down. Any other URL available?

Even though the Solo-Right is the best product for the intended purpose, I think Gary might be giving up on the product. Maybe he'll post a reply here.
Jack

If Gary is not interested in supplying the soloright can I build one myself? How does it work and what are the principles behind it. I haven't seen one since I am new to cats.

I do not have a Soloright, but I have seen the pics on the website while it was still up... IIRC the soloright is basically an oar that the inventer reinforced with some composit material (carbon or glass fiber)one side of the oar (the paddel shaped end) will be placed in the lip (with lip I refere to the lip that for example accomedates the stainlesssteel rod that holds the shrouds) on the inside of an hobie hull (the lower hull). The other end of the oar is suspended by two lines (halyard type) to the pylons of the upper hull. The user is expected to step outwards on the oar while holding on to the line of a traditional rightning system. The oar could be replaced by some kind of pole stiff enough to support 200 lb. The oar idea was kind of nice since it also functioned as a paddel (an unfortunately long paddel).

Patrick

What do you think about this? Do you think a 160 lb person could easily right a h16 solo in light air with this device?

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

It looks like you still need two people. Notice it says power righting not solo righting. Here's a question for Garys solo-righting. When you go out on the pole and the boat comes up aren't you way out where the upper hull is going to come down right on top of you?

I was thinking the same thing.

I have sailed a friends H16 on a lake before and never capsized it because it wasn't my boat and didn't want to do anything that might get me in trouble, I was just pleasure cruising. Now that I live in PR I will be sailing solo in the ocean and wanting to go fast. I'm wondering what does one do if they capsize their cat and can't right it and there is nobody around to help. Drown? Coast Guard? Drift to the Domincan Republic?

What things should I carry onboard for safety from capsizes and drifting to DR?

Any other advice?

Cel Phone in waterproof pouch is a wise fall back option.

Of course other means of emergency solution should be implemented as we need to make as little use of rescue services as possible.

Water

Hmm... I did not expect that the weight of a cell phone would make a significant difference in the sailor’s ability to righten a cat... (Sorry could not restrain myself)
I think that practice proper techniques and suitable equipment (solo right, righting pole, water bucket, shroud release) and the skills necessary to use the stuff are the way to go. I guess what I like about this forum is the discussion and user feedback in context with stuff that works. Since the solo right might not be available at this point, I will try to build a similar device based on a defective windsurfing mast. In case it works I will post my experience and some pics of the thing. I do not like the cell phone idea. A cell phone or better a radio should be the last resort - when every thing else fails. Having one available is not a bad idea. At the same time it might provide a faulty sense of security.

Patrick

I have had the "opportunity" to try righting a boat with Gary's solo-right system. It was unplanned and i was by myself in the middle of the lake, so i had to try it. I weigh about 160 lbs maybe 165 with harness and jacket on. The wind was around 5-10knots and I couldn't get it up. It's tricky balancing while walking out on the bar, a somewhat sturdier, flatter bar would help. Even so, the mast would not come up. Fortunately I brought along a small rudder bag to use as a righting bag, and once I got about 20 lbs. of water in it, the boat slowly came up.
It comes up slow, and there's really no worry of getting hit by the top hull coming down. You're basically standing upright and just lean forward to grab the low hull. Was it worth the $50 I paid for it just for that one righting and the peace of mind it carries along with it? sure.