Righting

[Mac M]

The guy I bought my SC20 went out with me on my inaugural sail yesterday. He is telling me that there is no way I'll be able to right the boat even with the shroud extenders and crew without help from a powerboat. How does this hold with everyone else's experience? Its a tall rig by the way.

[Matt Haberman]

Mac,

It is possible, but there are a lot of factors that play into the the success or failure. Is the mast watertight, Wind Speed, direction, wave action, crew position on the righting line, Mainsheet & traveler position, etc.... All of these things play a role in how successful you will be.

On several occasions I have been on the ARC22 when it has tipped over and in most cases two of us have righted the boat with no outside assistance. On the occasions that we needed a powerboat it was usually discovered later that the mast was not watertight and it had water in it. My most recent swim was about two years ago and I got the 22 back up with my crew SITTING on the lower hull and not even pulling on the righting line... I weigh about 185 lbs and I used the righting system and HUNG from the righting line, the boat came up in about 45 seconds. So yes it can be done.

[Mac M]

How do you rig your righting line? I was thinking tie off to the dolphin striker throw over the hull? Could I leave it tied off or would the fact that the striker floats cause problems?

[Matt Haberman]

Mac,

We just put the righting line over the top of the hull and then tie it around the beam where it meets the hull. This is the strongest connection point and a better location then the dolphin striker post. I would be concerned that you could bend the dolphin striker post if the rope moved out away from the beam.

[Kevin Keller]

I have righted my SC-20 alone also.

[Mac M]

I guess I need to grow a pair and turn it over and find out for myself! I had trouble getting the mainsheet to release yesterday and almost went over. Man we were WAY up in the air!!

[Eric2101]

Craig and I have righted his wide TM 20 several times. You need a little wind and get it 90 degrees to the wind.