I sailed my 18 Prindle today on an inland lake in Michigan and had a blast. I know very little about sailing but have been boating for over 20 years. We were in 10 mph winds with gusts up to I don't know but we started to fly the boat. I was able to keep the boat down and back to the beach for a quick reconsideration of if I should be out there with out having more experince. I have never flipped a boat and the water is very cold and I think I should practice righting the boat without the sails or strong winds. I was wondering if I should purchase a Baby or Mama Bob for my boat. I will be sailing in the great lakes and inland lakes. Should I put a float on the mast and which one.

Practice is good. Make sure the mast is sealed. Have a righting line rigged every time you sail. If you practice in shallow water make sure that there is enough room under the boat as it comes back up that you are not caught between the boat and the bottom. When the boat goes over get off the high hull quickly, this will help stop the boat from going turtle. Don't let go of the boat, it can drift away faster than you can swim. The boat will usually blow around till the mast is up wind. If you are in the water the drag of your body can help or hinder the boat swinging around. Make sure the main and jib sheets are released, you don't want the boat sailing off with out you when it rights. Now you are ready to try this http://www.utahsailing.co…ghting-by-rick-white.pdf The wind that blew you over now helps right the boat. We capsized on purpose on a light wind day and had to exert more effort to get the boat back up.

Righting systems. http://www.murrays.com/mm…_Code=C-RI&Store_Code=MS



Edited by skarr1 on May 11, 2011 - 09:13 PM.

I had a baby Bob on my P18 and I liked how it gives you the extra time needed for beginners to get organized for righting the boat. Since most lake up here in the Midwest are shallow, it's important to keep the mast from sinking. Like skarr1 mentioned, you need to use the wind to right the boat. Our first capsize in our P18 was off of Key Largo. My wife and I struggled until a jetski assisted by pulling the mast into the wind. At that point, it popped back on it's feet very easily.