This is the All New
Rick White's Power Righting System
No longer will you have to hump and jump and still not get the boat upright. And this system fits all catamarans. Take a look at how simply this operates.
This system employs a carbon fiber righting pole that is attached to the underside of the mainbeam. While underway, it goes under the tramp and attaches to the rear beam -- safely tucked out of the way where it will not offer any wind or water resistance to slow you down.
Once capsized, you merely release the pole from the rear beam and swing it out perpendicular to the boat.
Now, we know that if the pole just stayed perpendicular to the hulls and was just an extension of the mast, the pole would be in the water before the boat was completely righted.
So, we made the attachment point to the main beam a universal joint so the pole can be canted upward, giving more righting leverage.
Here Dave White (160 lbs) and Julie Reed (110 lbs) prepare to right a typical high-aspect-ratio, tall-rigged catamaran.
First they detached the pole from the rear beam and swung it out perpendicular to the hulls.
At this point they are starting to raise the righting pole and get the stopper knot in place. The lines attached are continuous and easy to handle. The stopper knot system is very simple and very light weight.
Once the pole is cleated Dave simply grasps up fairly high on the righting pole and the boat already begins to clear the water.
Keep in mind that the pole is big and round and easy to hold with your hands, unlike small line. Being carbon fiber, however, it probably weighs less than those nasty lines.
Now the sailors are in the water and the boat is already past the balance point and ready to come upright.
And notice that neither Dave nor Julie are even close to the end of the pole. They could have exerted much more righting moment.
After the boat is righted, simply uncleat the continuous line. As the boat moves forward the pole will return to the center of the rear beam. After you are on the boat again, simply reach over the back and reconnect the righting pole to the rear beam.
And then off you go -- quickly, easily and comfortably.
: Solo righting a Hobie 18 - 02/11/04 11:46 AM
I do it all the time using a windsurfing mast. I originally bought one of the power poles that was sold on this site through Rick and Calvert Sails, but I did not install it because it had me mounting the universal pivot pole through the bottom of my front crossbar, and that would have compromised my tramp (making removal difficult). So, here's what I did:
1) Find a used, cracked windsurfing graphite mast. Ask around, you can usually find one for free or pay $10 for one.
2) Cut it to the correct length from the front dolphin striker to an extension of six inches past the rear cross bar.
3) The mast will be tapered, so fill the larger end with something to plug the hole, I used a superball that I epoxied into it. Drill a 1/4 " hole across the diameter about 1.5 inches from the end.
3) Install turning bullet blocks just below the crossbar on the inside lip of your port and starboard hulls.
4) Your going to have to mount tying points for some strong 1/4 line on the righting pole, so mount two eyestraps directly opposite each other in a location on the pole about 24 inches from the end. Use two stainless steel bolts to secure the eyestraps to each other going directly through the mast. These eyestrap should be directly in line with the hole you drilled at the front.
5) With a seperate line, tie the pole with a loop around the dolphin striker/mast extension. You're mounting the pole to that area so you can pivot it in any direction you want.
6) Now you have your pole secure to your boat. The next thing you want to do is add some leverage points. Starting at the port eyestrap, tie one end there.
7.) Go through the Port bullet block, then under the crossbar directly through the Starboard bullet block.
8) Go directly to the Starboard eye strap. You'll notice that you've created a huge triangle with your line. Give yourself about two feet of slack in the line and tie it there.
9) Now, you should have a pole laying on the ground secure to the bottom of the boat. Get yourself a small piece of shock cord, permanently close one end around your traveler tie-down bracket, and secure the pole to the bottom of the boat.
10) Go back to the front of the pole at the dolphin striker. Remove all the slack out of the line by gathering it, and wind it around the extension. One simple overhand should keep it in place.
It's easy to use, you can practice on dry land: When you flip the boat, stand on the inside hull and unhook the bungee cord; untie the line giving it slack; Pull down on the line through the upward block and raise the pole to about 45 degrees. Retie the line around the mast extension (this whole process takes about thirty seconds). Simply walk out on the pole, hand over hand, and your boat comes up simply.
write me at kainebob@msn.com if you want more details. I'm 170 lbs and I have no problem at all. You'll feel a lot more secure in taking out strangers or sailing yourself.