I've done a lot of research about righting a cat. Never had to right one yet. Maybe because I've never sailed one?
Anyway, I'm planning on putting a righting pole on my nacra 450 before I go out. It may or may not be necessary, but I want to be prepared. I'll take it out and practice capsize recovery.
First off, I need to capsize. I may be solo. Could I do that in waist deep water somehow? I tested the mast for leaks the other day. No bubbles.
Back to the righting pole installation. Planning on getting a 5/8" universal joint tiller extension, like a Ronstan RF1127 or RWO r0851. I'll post a pic of it here. They're stainless and cost about $15. I'd mount that to the front beam near the dolphin striker, then connect an extension pole to it instead of a tiller extension. I've got an aluminum extension pole for that.
I'd have this pole bolted to the u-joint and bungied up under the tramp. After capsize, I'd throw my righting line up over the high hull, run it through an eye or block mounted on the end of the pole, unbungie and swing the pole out. The u-joint would allow the pole to then swing up closer to the upper hull for more leverage. Tie the end of line to the mast or dolphin striker; someplace to keep me from swinging back into the hull like on a swingset. Hang on the end. If I need more leverage, I could extend the telescoping section and pay out some line.
I don't think I'd need a real beefy u-joint or pole for that matter. The pole would be under compression with near zero torque on the u-joint.
