Our evening series doesn't have much safety boat cover and it would cause major disruption if I capsized and couldn't get it up. I've never actually capsized solo (main only) How hard is it on own (i'm short and not particularly heavy)?
Cheers
Chris
Get a righting aid like a water bag or a righting pole and you should be fine.
Otherwise you might have some issues.
You should test your abilities during the day with a fellow sailor around or with crew. Just try to right it solo.
Your boat is light and only 7'6 wide... You may be able to solo it. If you can't you should get a righting aid (bag, pole or shroud extenders) ... regardless of when you sail it... Capsizing on purpose is educational and even fun. Usually capsizing without intent is not usually at a good time.
Trust me... you don’t want to learn this the hard way.
So far I have capsized 6 times in 10 years. 3 of them were in shipping channels in a high traffic area. The last one (2 weeks ago) I was turned around with a current going under me, and a wave pushing my bows around the other way. I was them being pushed (quickly) into rocks with the waves. If I didn’t have my righting bag... my boat would have been destroyed and i could have been too...
I was able to right my Dart 18 single handed when I was a lad; I'm about 5 foot 9 and I was about 9 stone at the time.
I also agree with the comments above about trying this with a Rescue boat or another boat (with a crew to help you if you need to).
Hi,
I wasn't able to do it. 1.82m and 70kg. I let you translate it in stones and feet... Ikea bag is a useful multi purpose tool: righting bag, drift anchor and the bag to bring your wet clothing home. Knot the righting line to the mast step and the bag at the rigthing line... Hardest job is to come back on board, however.
Cheers,
Klaus
I always found with the Dart 18, if there was enough wind to capsize or pitchpole you, there was enough to help you right it solo. The only time that I couldn't was one time I was not concentrating in light wind and a gust hit me, then the wind died alltogether.
I remember the thread about people having trouble getting back on the boat after righting... , Even though my Mystere hulls have lots of volume and sit very high... I thought I was young enough (40) and strong enough that wasn't a problem for me.
3 weeks ago I capsized (in a very precarious spot) and it was a mad dash to get the boat righted (before it was smashed into the rocks). As soon as I righted it the jib filled (which I was unable to release before righting), and the boat took off like a rocket.
I had to pull myself up the righting line like Indiana Jones and by the time I got to the boat... I was SHOT! I couldn’t get up.
I looked at the rocks (that were getting ever closer) and the big surf that was gonna smash my boat (and myself) and mustered up the strength to lift myself up my bows...
But I really want to work out another way of being able to get on board in that situation.
Hmmm, It wouldn't matter if it took a long time - there isn't really anything to hit so I'll investigate this bag idea. Practice is a good idea but my big concern is about being tired. At the end of a long race, for example. Maybe I should get something smaller for solo. Dart 15s are only a grand...
It's all technique. I own a Dart 18 and can right it without problem, though the time to right is directly functional to the amount of booze I consume. Still, it's never taken more than 5 minutes. No righting line, bag, or any other contraption is necessary.
1. Uncleat the main. Unclean the jib.
2. Detach jib sheet and throw it over the hull in the air between the forward beam and the side stay.
3. Stand on the bow until they're pointed directly into the wind.
4. Grab the jib sheet and lean back. The key is to use your leverage and get LOW. As in, almost to the water low.
Oh, and I'm all of 5'10" and a whopping 165lbs.
Righting poles or bags work and don't cost nearly as much as another boat.
regards