Which righting bag, and what tackle for it? :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

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Which righting bag, and what tackle for it?

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MN3

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Posts: 7089
Posted: Jul 19, 2017 - 03:27 PM

QuoteYou don't actually need any blocks technically.

you don't actually need blocks on your main either - but they sure make it a lot easier
nohuhu

Rank: Mate

Registered: Sep 16, 2016

Last visit: Sep 10, 2021

Posts: 274
Posted: Jul 19, 2017 - 03:54 PM

MN3
nohuhuHere's the official righting bag directions, care of Stan at Murrays. Hope you all can download it.

"ALWAYS uncleat your main and jib sheets before attempting to
right your boat to prevent the boat from sailing away without you, or with you
still in the bag. ALWAYS wear your life jacket and use good boating safety and
seamanship. ALWAYS hold onto the boat."

"or with you still in the bag." What the hell? I make sure there are no humans in my bag before use!

I read that a few times too.

If you want a more comfortable position to support the bag, this one is designed to allow you to pull it over your head and shoulder, (like a purse rather than a knapsack). So I learned that's why it only has 2 long straps, (one of which is velcro, intended to be over your shoulder as a quick safety release).

Using a block to hoist the bag and yourself up AS the boat rotates also makes a lot of sense to me now. Righting systems lose leverage as you hit the water, especially when your PFD does. That block might give me an advantage when it comes time to try this solo...

Edited by nohuhu on Jul 19, 2017 - 11:56 AM.

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MN3

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Posted: Jul 19, 2017 - 05:37 PM

yea, they need better technical writers for sure! lol

So, i mean no disrespect but i have to tell you i don't understand a lot of the other stuff you said. ...

& when i say "you", I am describing my method - ymmv

QuoteIf you want a more comfortable position to support the bag, this one is designed to allow you to pull it over your head and shoulder, (like a purse rather than a knapsack). So I learned that's why it only has 2 long straps, (one of which is velcro, intended to be over your shoulder as a quick safety release).

Are you saying stick your neck in a loop of the bag?

QuoteUsing a block to hoist the bag and (a.) yourself up AS the (b.) boat rotates also makes a lot of sense to me now.

a. I don't need the blocks to lift me, only the bag; to the optimal height to get behind it and hike out .I am standing on the inside of the wet hull ...
b. your boat will only rotate around (and other bad things) if your not on anchor...

For me: step one is to calmly and cleanly drop an anchor.. make everything much calmer and easier - stops the boat from drift and i can take a moment to breath and think

QuoteRighting systems lose leverage as you hit the water, especially when your PFD does. That block might give me an advantage when it comes time to try this solo...

you should be standing on the inside hull during 80% of this "operation". by the time you should "slide off" the inside hull ... your boat is already tipping into the drink. you should be grabbing the dolphin striker at this point to avoid "over righting" (capsize back the other way).

you are talking about this bag right?

Edited by MN3 on Jul 19, 2017 - 05:46 PM.
nohuhu

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Last visit: Sep 10, 2021

Posts: 274
Posted: Jul 19, 2017 - 08:15 PM

MN3
Are you saying stick your neck in a loop of the bag?

Yes. And it took a few reads of Murrays instructions to realize that's what they are suggesting. This is what they mean by being "in the bag". The safety strap is there to help you get loose, if needed.

I sense you're not really tempted to try it?

Edited by nohuhu on Jul 19, 2017 - 05:20 PM.

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nohuhu

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Posted: Jul 19, 2017 - 09:15 PM

MN3yea, they need better technical writers for sure! lol

So, i mean no disrespect but i have to tell you i don't understand a lot of the other stuff you said. ...

Shoots! I try to be precise, but some days are way better than others...

First, let's put the anchor discussion aside, as it's not part of the mix in Murrays righting plan. (I plan to carry one, though, as soon as I can find a good bag for it and a place to stow it).

When solo righting, keeping the bag out of the water until the boat is well past the tipping point is the key. Murrays suggests you hang onto the both sides of their cleated rope (no righting line in the mix either) and use the block's action if needed, to keep both you and your ballast clear of the water in a tough recovery.

I was referring this time only to Murrays bag and the instructions I just received for it. They really should produce a short video to show it in action.

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MN3

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Posted: Jul 20, 2017 - 03:47 AM

IMHO - ymmv

"stick your neck in a loop of the bag" - at no point would I ever stick my head into the straps of a (theoretical) 250 lb bag of water that is attached to my boat. if a line fails, a knot unties, I slip off my hull (happens easily during righting) and I am in an incredibly compromising position - that is not safe at all

after reading those instructions from murray's i have come to the conclusion - they are morons or on crack:

"3. Position the bag so that the strap is over your shoulder, or you can place the strap over your head and across your chest (DON"T DO THIS). Be sure that the hook and loop strap is across your chest so that you can pull it apart to quickly free yourself from the bag if
necessary (you think you can release this before you get hurt if something goes wrong? - DON"T DO THIS)"

"4. When the boat begins to come up, pull in the uphaul line quickly enough to keep the righting bag just above the water"
This may be ok on a small 300 lb boat, but on a 400 or 500lbs boat, you don't need to sheet the bag up at this point - it should be high enough that you are hiking out - not sheeting

"5. When the boat is at the point where it begins to come over on its own, quickly slide through the strap supporting the righting bag to free yourself. " - Are you kidding me - i can't believe they print this

"6. Once the boat is righted, climb back onto the boat and resume sailing. As the boat moves through the water the bag will be aft where it can be grabbed at the bottom, lifted, and the water released."
So, sail away and try to grab this bag / sea anchor? Was this written by idiots?

Edited by MN3 on Jul 20, 2017 - 09:45 AM.
tominpa

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Posted: Jul 20, 2017 - 11:36 AM

I just received the bag this week, and those instructions were "interesting". The page shows a small woman placing herself into the straps, and I'm not sure that would work for me. Anyway, I will make a point of capsizing the boat and will be sure to report back about my ride in the bag.

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Tom
NACRA 5.7 (1984 Sail 181)
Pennsylvania
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MN3

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Posted: Jul 20, 2017 - 04:47 PM

Quote I will make a point of capsizing the boat and will be sure to report back about my ride in the bag.

everyone should practice this skill -

fwiw - it can be much harder to right a cat with no wind so it may be good to have help around in those conditions
nohuhu

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Posted: Jul 20, 2017 - 05:47 PM

And fire up the GoPro, please!

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Edchris177

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Posted: Jul 20, 2017 - 07:00 PM

Quote I will make a point of capsizing the boat and will be sure to report back about my ride in the bag.

Make sure your boat is fully rigged, sails, jib, deck gear.
I could solo right the 20' Mystere, sans sails, when I was figuring out where to put knots etc. Once the sails were added, & got wet, it was a much bigger challenge.

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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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