Has anyone made their own "power righting pole"? It seems like it would only require a pvc or slightly stronger 6 foot pole, with an adapter (larger diameter pole) clamped onto the dolphin stryker...?

I'm trying to figure out how one costs ~$250, what's so expensive?

Cheers!

I wouldn't use PVC, it'll flex too much.

Use an old windsurfer mast.

Most of those use a carbon fiber tube for the pole in order to keep the weight down - that is the bulk of the cost. A PVC tube would be too flexible and you probably wouldn't be able to get out to the end of it before it buckled.

Best this to get is the Murrays big bag, and make your own 4:1 system. Cost me around $125 for everything.

What are the advantages of a righting pole over a water bag? I would think the righting pole will be MUCH quicker to work with... Have a righting line on my boat, but have never flipped it; just want to prepare myself...

Care to explain how you did your own 4-1 system to a newbie?

Cheers!

PS - You make it to Candlewood Lake yet?

Why buy from Murrays, when there is an ONLINE store here! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I've wondered about the righting pole too. I'm assuming it only works when the boat is on it's side, so do you have to hav a separate rope just incase the boat goes turtle?
Also, I assume the boat pops up right away with the pole, but if it doesn't, you're left doing a pull-up on the bar.

If you cant find an old windsurfer mast, try a round aluminum tube. Cheap - something like $8/ft for a 2" round section per foot.

I wouldnt bother with buying a premade righting pole, you can rig up something with standard fittings and rope.

Bill

I found this last night: http://dgaleana2.proboards56.com/in...action=display&thread=1146112173

Might give this a try, although I'm hoping to find a better way to mount it to the dolphin stryker.

Cheers!

Actually I did buy it from Cat Sailor, but its a Murrays non the less a few dollars cheaper!. I dont think that a bag is that much slower to use than a pole. Maybe 30secs to a minute to fill that bag longer than deploying a pole, but the advantage is that it is as light if not lighter than most poles, and it can be used to right a turtled cat as well as one on its side. (I have don this and it works well).

A pole will not be of any use in righting a turtled cat and to me seems like a waste of money compared to a bag. Plus in the event you need to stay put, the bag can also act as a sea anchor.

I can show you mine Mike if you want to get together. I'll call you when I get the new bottom on my boat done and am ready to go sailing again.

-Jeff

Another newbie with a silly question does the old windsurfer mast with extra flex aid in righting the boat or have any other advantages over aluminium besides weight?

Its not the extra flex that is attractive. It is the masts greater ability to take the strain without going into failure. It will bend without kinking.

Jeff,

Would you please explain how to use a righting bag to assist in getting a cat out a turtled position?

Thanks!

GARY

That link shows a heavily overdesigned righting pole system, and it looks fairly heavy.
a foot of quarter inch prestretch is all you need to connect the pole to the dolfin stricker. the other end of the pole just needs a length of line to tie the pole to the top hull. all that line in the system would only be necessary if you flip often so the pole is pre attached to the windward hull. you could STF for previous posts on this subject.

Thanks for the reply bobcat

I have attached the Murrays instructions that came with my righting bag. I have righted from a turtle position once (on purpose) and it works OK, but you really need to fill the bag up to the top, (I'm only 140lbs).

-Jeff