OK- Although I have been sailing my 5.2 for over a year now, I still feel like a noob. I am doing much better with everything, can get pretty good speed, rarely mess up a tack, but am scared to "fly" (the hull). When my windward hull lifts up, I find myself easing the main to keep the hull from getting more than a foot off of the water; the board is still wet. If I let it keep going, does it get to the point where it stabilizes due to the sail not being as vertical? I have not flipped it yet and am scared to do so as the lakes around here are relatively shallow and have mud bottoms- a bad thing should a cat turn turtle. I don't know the limits. When the hull really gets flying, is it like walking a tightrope? Seems when I am only a foot off the water, I am working myself to death to maintain speed and stability. BTW, I don't have a harness and haven't been out on the wire, yet.

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Eric C

Force 5 project boat
Unnamed

Previous boat
1980 Nacra 5.2
"Double Vision"
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Typically having the hull a foot out of the water is all you would really want if you are trying to maintain speed. If you are just screwing around, you can typically get a hull to about 45 degrees before you start to really go over. And yes if the wind is steady (avoid doing this when gusty) you can get the boat to a balance point where you have almost no forward speed while the hull is several feet in the air. Your front to back weight distribution really comes into play as the boat slows down. I have never sailed a N5.2, but have experienced the above on both H16's and H18's.

Also when the hull lifts you don't need to ease the main, you can point slightly to windward and that will drop the hull and allow you to make upwind progress all at once.

Before you go screwing around with flying a hull by yourself, I would highly recommend flipping your boat numerous times in an area where you have help available. That way you can learn the technique of righting the boat when help is there. Technique is as important as extra weight when getting your boat back up.

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Scott,
‘92 H18 w/SX wings
‘95 Hobie Funseeker 12 (Holder 12)
‘96/‘01/‘14 Hobie Waves
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When the boat goes over, where does one "aim" his body to hit? I have tipped sunfishes in a previous life, and I always aimed for the sail, but with all of the battens on my 5.2, not sure if this is a good idea.

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Eric C

Force 5 project boat
Unnamed

Previous boat
1980 Nacra 5.2
"Double Vision"
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hyperope

When the boat goes over, where does one "aim" his body to hit?

The water near the boat. Anywhere else you may tear something up. When I know it is going to go over I just slide down the tramp if possible; however, many of my capsizes have been pretty much immediate and thus cargo and bodies just fall where they may.

For me it depends on where on the boat I am at the time. If Im near the rear crossbar I can simply slide down the tramp with boom usually out of the way. If anywhere else on the windward side I usually grab onto foot loops or the lip of the hull (P 18) until the boat stops then find a clear spot to lower myself. This must be done quickly or you risk turtling. It helps greatly if you and your crew are fit enough to avoid any uncontrolled slides. For a first time attempt you can position yourself and crew centered on the tramp and aft of any rigging. As noted above if you give the boat time to slow by working the main you can come to almost a complete stop before she goes over. Keep in mind the tramp will be past 90 degrees and you'll be left slightly overhanging the water/rigging etc. When recreational sailing flipping is part of the fun, enjoy.

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Lance
P18
Simi Valley
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Capsizing:
Hit as little as possible. 1st hit nothing hard if possible (i've hit the boom and snapped it in two, buddy hit the mast and took a nap face down, lucky I was close by), 2nd stay away from lines (they'll wrap), 3rd don't stay on the upended hull trying to decide where to go -- it'll turtle.

Righting:
Practice righting asap, it'll help confidence, it'll certainly come in handy as well.

Trapping:
you'll find the cat, definitely the 5.2, behaves much better if you're trapped while sailing solo. The first few times you might be a little sloppy with lines and stick and balance, but it gets better quickly.

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Rob
OKC
Pile of Nacra parts..
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Be sure your mast is completely sealed. You don't want it filling with water when you capsize as water in the mast will make it very difficult to right again. I found out mine wasn't totally sealed after it turtled and I could not right it. Eventually I was able to right it with the assistance of 2 passers-by.

After that, I sealed the mast up really good and have since capsized numerous times and have been able to right it without problem using my righting bag which I bought from eBay for $45.

Get out on the wire and have some fun. There is no feeling quite like it. Scary at first, and awkward, but totally worth it and in stronger winds really stabilizes the boat. Plus, it makes you look cool!

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1983 Nacra 5.0 Sail #10
Dallas, Texas area
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I don't know the limits. When the hull really gets flying, is it like walking a tightrope? Seems when I am only a foot off the water, I am working myself to death to maintain speed and stability. BTW, I don't have a harness and haven't been out on the wire, yet.

It is like walkin a tightrope. Just let it come to ya and balance with rudder and the main. Once ya get the hang of flyin the hull you will "know the limits" of the boat. A mud bottom shouldnt be too big a problem. It is fun and one of the best "look at me Mom" things to do out on the water.

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1976 Prindle 16, Sailing since 1969, Retired Chief USCG, Disabled Vet, Father of 3 great daughters!
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Awesome thread, very helpful, glad that I stumbled on this one.

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Cesar (Cez) S.
Hobie 16 (had a few)
Nacra 5.2 "Hull Yeah"
Vectorworks XJ - A class (not named yet)
West Michigan (Grand Rapids/Holland Area)
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When practicing capsizing in light winds you can easily slip between the boom and the hull into the water. when your doing near 20 mph still the possibility of getting caught in the main sheet isn't comforting. My crew usually bails back door over the windward hull and I will jump out to the third batten or so.

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Nacra 6.0 NA
Ogden Dunes, IN
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Or, you could do as this fella did...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saCT-fvxBZ0

I've been sailing and flying hulls again for a few months now, and haven't tipped aside from pitchpoling. You can pretty much tell when you're going over, there is a point of no return. At that point, the boat is usually nearing a standstill and you have time to prepare for landing, so to speak. As said above, don't sit on the top hull after capsizing, it'll push the mast down into the water, possibly causing you to "turtle" or if it is shallow, get stuck in the sea bottom.

I love flying a hull. You have both the mainsheet and tiller to use as control surfaces to keep the boat at a steady angle. I try to always sail with just one rudder (I keep the windward rudder in the flipped-up and locked position). When turning, I raise the new windward rudder and lower the downwind side. I may be wrong, but I don't think you need two rudders to sail. It means less drag, and looks cool when you're flying a hull.

Out on a wire, you have more balast, and thus more control as the winds pick up in speed. Plus, its just a freakin' rush to be flying at breakneck speeds while standing out over the water! Keep in mind there's a certain technique to keeping the mainsheet in your lap while also minding the tiller. But, there's just nothing like it. Sail fast and take chances!

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Karl, Captain of Stayin' Thirsty
2011 Hobie 16SE
Atlanta, GA
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Check out this vid...guy is on the wire, solo, flying a hull and goes over...http://www.youtube.com/wa…8YgLurE&feature=youtu.be



Edited by motivated on Sep 19, 2011 - 08:17 PM.

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Karl, Captain of Stayin' Thirsty
2011 Hobie 16SE
Atlanta, GA
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motivated

Check out this vid...guy is on the wire, solo, flying a hull and goes over...http://www.youtube.com/wa…8YgLurE&feature=youtu.be

Ok, that's freaking hilarious. I noticed the guy had a spin rigged on his H16, not sure you should seek his advice based on that vid!

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

How To Create Your Own Cool Avatar

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This is my first season with our Hobie 16. I have been out ten times. With each sail I feel as though I am learning more and advancing. I started with just a mainsail. Hard to tack but much easier for a newbe to handle. Moved up to the jib, flying a hull, and now I have rigged up the trapz. The last few runs I have stood up out on the rail, holding on to the shrouds. Not in the harness but getting the feel for where I would eventually be.

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Sail fast and take chances!

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The Bone
H16
Mass / NH
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