[quote=davefarmer]The system Pete describes is also know as the Hawaiian righting system, and has the primary advantage of being very quick to deploy, which can often be very helpful, faster rightings, leading to less chance of turtling, or getting blown somewhere unpleasant. Also, if the line is adjusted to the proper length when deployed, skipper and crew can hook onto it with your harnesses, allowing full extension of your upper body, even arms over your head, for max righting moment.
The single(or multiple( lines over the upper hull are simpler and cheaper, and can work just as well. There's been a lot of discussion about the physics of which system provides greater righting ability, on Catailor, if you want to pursue it. I've come away believing the camp that insists that it's the same for both, but this is clearly an area where personal preference rules.
For any particular boat design, a certain amount of crew weight is going to be required to right it. Most 18' or longer cats are going to need more than the skipper's weight, so if you want to right it solo, you're likely to need a water bag, or possibly a SoloRight. I'm not sure if a standard righting pole adds significant leverage over a righting line, maybe if you're over 200 lbs you might pull it off. I have a righting pole on the F16 Stealth, that weighs 230 lbs, and I'm 160, and I can get it up reliably solo, but not by a lot. Had a Solo Right for the 280 lb F18HT, and could get it up solo reliably, though not quickly.
Don't underestimate the additional difficulty of righting solo if it's really blowing hard(when you're more likely to go over). Orientation of the boat to the wind will dictate your success rate, and it can be problematic to manage it solo. I carry a drift sock on the bigger boats, that can be deployed off the lower bow, to keep the boat pointed into the wind, the orientation you want for righting. Also, if you don't get it properly oriented quickly, wind pressure on the tramp can contribute to turtling, And if you're not turtled, and it takes you a while to get it together, you'll be drifting downwind rapidly. Not a problem if you're a ways from shore, but is if you're not.
All of which is a very long winded way of implying that it's time well spent fine tuning your righting system, and practicing with it, first in light air, then in the heavy stuff too, preferably with willing help nearby. But once you have it down, it adds hugely to your confidence in all conditions, and allows you to run close to the edge, where the big fun is!
Dave<!-- editby --><em>Edited by davefarmer on Sep 17, 2015 - 12:19 AM.</em><!-- end editby --> [/quote]
