Hello to all!!!
I recently discovered sailing and am having an absolute blast. I bought a Hobie 16 just over a month ago. I have learned a lot over the past several weeks and am sure there is plenty more. One problem I am having is getting the thing upright after pitch-poling or capsizing. I am not a big fella (150 lbs. soaking wet) and just can’t get the thing to even budge. The boat came with a bucket but it doesn’t seem to be enough either. The rope is there and I am tugging and pulling but I simply don't have enough lead in my britches. I have looked and looked in manuals and catalogs and they all say the same thing but when I try it, it doesn’t work. I unlatch the block and un-cleat the jib. What is the trick to righting my little boat? I hope I am in the right place and not taking up space and time of all you pros. Thanks for your help.

LOL at the all you pros comment. LOL

Anyway, are you sailing it by yourself? I think 150lbs is not enough to right a Hobie 16.

You mentioned you read the manuals etc, so I am assuming you are leaning as far back as posible. I just think your problem is you are just too light to right it. Get a crew and then try, I am sure it will come right up.

Here is a trick, if you are using a harness to trap out, (which I hope you are) hook the harness' hook into the e-z righting line, do not use your arms. You will get tired or exhausted if you use your arms.

I have actually been sailing with a buddy. He is about the same build and we can't even get the thing to move. We must be doing something wrong. I appreciate your help.

Here is a thread you can review for techniques:

web page

And you can review Catsailor online store for righting aids:

web page

there are several threads on here that address righting a catamaran - there is certainly a technique to it. Briefly however, there are a couple of things you need to do.

1) make sure your mast is sealed! If you are getting water in your mast while the boat is capsized...even a little...it will make righting very difficult. To check, submerge the whole mast in the water (while it's off the boat) and look for bubbles. Seal any leaks.

2) uncleat the mainsheet and the jib.

3) you must orient the boat into the wind and use the sails to your advantage. With the boat capsized, put your weight on the bow and you'll see the boat start to spin as the bows drag in the water (sometimes standing on the stern works too). You actually want to get the boat to the point that the wind is blowing into the "V" formed by the top decks of the hulls and the mast - you probably will not be able to get the mast to point into the wind. With the righting line already in place, quickly move back to the righting line and lean out.

3) As the boat starts to come up, you will notice that the sails will catch the wind and make righting much easier. Be prepared to grab the dolphin striker as the boat gets right side up. You want to hang on to keep the boat from rolling right back over to the other side. Once the boat is up, quickly get back on board before it could start to accelerate (it's unlikely - but possible if the sails are not released completely).

I weigh(ed) 170lbs and I've been able to right my 400lb F18 catamaran on three occasions by myself.

On your F18 do you stand on the tips of the dagger boards?

Yes

for real? No righting aids? Hmmm... might try that myself if necessary. Be aware of the 6.0 sailing unirig around the panhandle!!!

Two of those times, I did it with the crew still on the high side of the boat high and dry! (and they were actually working slightly against my leverage up there).

I recently purchased a Nacra 5.0 and had the same issue. I'm about 140lbs and often single-hand on a gusty lake. I've flipped 3 times in 3 weeks. The first time I had a crew of equal weight and with the bow to the wind she came over with a bit of effort. The second I was single handing and had hte aid of a power boater. (this is the ONLY thing those boats are good for). The third, I got smart and bought the Murrays Big Bag righting system. I made a 4:1 system attached to a righting line that is attached to the mast step bolt. The system is all rolled up into a small package and strapped to the front beam. The boat came over so easily that I did not even need to bring the bows into the wind. Plus the bag stays in the water after the righting so the boat can't take off on you. I highly reccommend it.

-Jeff