A relative newbie to the Solo here. I’m perfectly able to right the dinghy after a capsize by pulling/standing on the centreboard but once the boat is upright, what’s the best way of getting back in? If I enter from the side and grab the top of the centreboard case it just falls back on top of me and capsizes again. Is it better to go back in over the transom? Obviously I’m only sailing when there’s a safety boat out at the moment, but I would prefer not to need them. The water is still a bit cold here in Scotland for too much experimentation! Any tips?
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Thanks all once again. I’ve now got the hang of it, only capsized 3 times yesterday with no problems getting back in the boat! Now I need to learn how to stop capsizing 🤣🤣🤣🤣.
Thanks all. As I said, more practice required! I did search YouTube for capsize recovery videos, but I wouldn’t have found that one.
Watching Ian, above, illustrates that you don't want to be wearing a PFD or spray top that will catch on the sidedeck and stop you sliding into the boat like a seal!
🐬 (Yes, I know it's a dolphin but they haven't got a seal emoji!)
OK so it wasn't an Eskimo Roll. Ian worked his way around the bow once it was upright and boarded from the windward side. Thanks Ian.
Ian Hopwood Eskimo Roll
Firstly, grab the centreboard and try to get the mast horizontal. Don't continue to right it until the wind has blown the hull around so you will be on the windward side when it does right. You can assist the bow to turn through the wind by using your feet to propel the hull. Once you are on the windward side thrust up close to the thwart, grab the capping front toe hole and in you go. The trick is positioning the hull before you try and right it. Once in, lift the board a little and keep your weight on the windward side to assist with turning the boat slightly away from the wind. As said before, getting the tension off the controls is also a priority. Get hold of the tiller extension and keep it neutral otherwise you might go into a windward roll
Fair enough. I guess more practice is required. Thanks.
Definitely over the side, try to centralise the rudder and keep the boat from heading up and pull in on the centreboard capping or toestrap. Going over the transom gives a high chance of breaking something.
Make sure the kicker is right off before trying to get back in. It'll let the sail flog-out to leeward and provide a bit of resistance to pull yourself in against.