I am not technical like most people on this forum that can explain why things react as they do nor am I an engineer. Like you, I sailed my H14 on the ocean for years and mostly in the surf. Making sure the mast is sealed is an absolute must when the cat goes turtle. Therefore, if you cannot get the H14 the mast to come vertical with the water then what I do is stand on one end of the hull and make it sink deep in the water and with patients the mast will start to rise. With this technique, I have yet to get a H14 or H16 mast vertical with the water. Of course if you do a lot of solo sailing (or a little of it) having a mast float at the top of the mast is a great idea, it may not look cool to some but does wonders when you have capsized several times in the same day and your are getting tired. As some know on this forum since last season I have never sailed solo without Gary’s solo-right systems as it makes life a lot easier after a capsize. By the way, Gary simplified the lines that connect to the righting pole so now it is much easier to stow the lines and pole, which was kind of an issue for some on this forum, but should not be now.

Hi, I am working on a "paddle" that doubles as a lever for solo righting to get my weight out away from the hulls for increased leverage. Tests on land work easily and well. Will send pix if you want to....also doubles as a paddle, if you ever need on and it stows neatly under the rear tramp lacing.

Nigel

H14

A_over_T

If it is an emergency then a turtled boat can always be righted by releasing one of the stay wires (after tying the mast to the dolphin striker. however you can also stand on the back of the boat until it points to the sky and then let it fall over sideways. to right a cat solo you must get air under the sail by walking to the back of the lower hull until it slides around into the wind even here where there is a strong current and waves I was able to right my Nacra 5.8 singlehanded.

Your link doesn't seem to work.

They make floation devices for the top of the mast to keep the boat from going all the way over. I have one on my Hobie 16 and it has saved me from having to deal with turtling. Call it cheating, but that is something I do not want to deal with.

I think the soloright is no longer available. The idea is great and works well. I think Hobiegarry does not mind if you build your own based on his idea. A portion (in my case the upper 1/2) of a windsurfing mast with a laminated paddle area works well for me. Search the forum - I remember I posted pic's.

Patrick

Patrick,
solo righting thread was started in '01 and the attachments don't work. can you be more specific about searching for the pictures that you've posted? i've mostly soloed my H16 since '99 and i've gotten to where i can usually get the turtle half over by walking to the stern with righting line, on the leeward hull. the bow comes up enough to get wind under the tramp and then i start walking foreward as she roles around. But from there it's the big bucket and or the shroud extenders. the extenders work well but being solo you can't get them back to the same hole they were in when you left shore because you are still in the heavy air which blew you over and working on the lee side of the boat.

http://www.catsailor.com/forums/showflat...=true#Post41920

Check this link - I posted some pics there - click the "attachment" in the thread. The cat in the pictures is not an essential part of the set up.

I have only encountered a few turtles and fixed them exactly the way you described them.
On windy days (15 mph and more) I do not need the pole - then I can actually righten the hobie just with the line. On milder days (10 mph and less) I have trouble getting the thing vertical. This is what I have the pole for. Some guys here on the forum might argue that on the mild days I should not capsize <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Patrick

Thanks Patrick,
i'm still a little slow on this idea. Do you install the device as outlined in the text and then use the pole to walk out on, thus giving the solo sailor a big boost in leverage?

Yop! Some day I might try to ave someone take pix while in action.

Patrick