halyard hook confusion H18

Hey guys, Had to replace original (1986) comptip that sported the flipper type halyard hook with the newer style hook. I have trouble releasing the halyard ring to lower the main. My confusion is with forum instructions. They say...Turn the mast to starboard after raising the sail an inch or two. Does "starboard" mean pushing the mast control yoke to starboard to unlatch OR does it mean to push the yoke to port to face the front of the mast to starboard??Please advise Thanks DJ

Whichever side of the mast the hook is on, that is the way you want to rotate the mast to unhook the sail. This pulls the hook away from the ring. Once the sail is unhooked and down a few inches, straighten the mast back out to allow the sail to come down more easily. It is very important that the boat be pointed into the wind for the system to work.

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srm Thanks for the reply ..One clarafication (pS They wrote the book"HOBIE SAILING FOR DUMMIES" with me in mind) My understanding is that I will push the rotator yoke to starboard as I face forward from the stern. Am I correct? The hook on my mast is on the starboard side. dj

Correct, the starboard side is based on the side of the boat when you are facing forward.

If the hook is on the starboard side of the mast, then push the rotator bar to that side to unhook.

Better yet, rather than trying to remember which specific direction to rotate the mast each time, take a moment to review how the system works. Grab the halyard and stand a few feet behind the boat. Pull the halyard up until it stops. Have a helper stand in front of the mast and rotate it from side to side. Looking at the top of the mast, you will clearly see when it is rotated to the hook side, the hook swings clear of the ring allowing the sail to come down. Once you see how the system works, it will be very clear each time which way to rotate to hook or unhook.

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srm Super clear explanation!!! Well done..thanks very much. dj