Questions On H-18SX Jib Replacement

I'm ready to buy a replacement 18SX dacron jib for the torn mylar one. I have some questions that I would like your thoughts on:

1. I'm expecting to pay around $475 for an aftermarket 5+ ounce white dacron jib from an aftermarket manufacturer in FL.

Are there any better deals around that you know? I haven't found any in the US.

2. Does anyone take their jib down, rather than furl it? In the past, we have left the stick up with the jib furled in the sock on the beach. We got a lot of wear on the sock and the mylar jib.

Would we be better off to drop the jib (unzip it) and store it? Does anyone do that?

Thanks.

if you are going to be sailing often then leave it up, if your not going to be out on the boat for a couple of weeks I would take it off, especialy if you are expecting high winds. it will last longer if not left furled on the beach but then again it sure is nice to be able to just run the main up and go sailing!

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Brad Stephens
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I store my 18 with the mast up as well. But I remove the jib everytime. It is not that hard and with the sister clips I find it only takes one minute (literaly) to put it up or to take it down. I find that minute worth the trouble so that I can store the sail folded and out of the elements rather then rolled and exposed to the elements.

All in all I would recommend taking it down.

I agree with the previous two posts. The only time I ever left the jib furled was when I knew I would be back the next day to sail. Normally I take it down and store it in the catbox.

Good call not buying another mylar jib like the original. They don't last very long. There is not too many people racing SX's anyway.

You might try calling Chip Buck at Whirlwind sails in San Diego. He used to work at the Hobie loft and knows the dimensions of the SX jib. I'm not sure what his prices are though.

http://www.whirlwindsails.com/

_________________
Paul


2020 Getaway
http://www.fleet297.org

Someone in another post also suggested Calvert, Sabre Sails, Super Sailmakers.

I payed four something for my pentex jib for my SX. I got it from Charlie Ogletree with Ullman Sails. My sail is full battened so I cannot furl. But even with dacron, you will get a longer life taking it off.

Jack, did I read it correctly that you have a fully battened jib for your H-18? How does it work on a tack going around the mast? I question this because I'm looking to replace the sails on my H-18.

Thanks for any information

_________________
1989 Hobie 18 Worlds Boat, Magnum Wings & Spinnaker
1987 Hobie Holder 20 #273

dale.vanlopik"at"att"dot"net

I should clarify. I am one of those SX's carring custom high tech sails. Our Ullman sail is nonoverlaping so the mast is no issue with battens. . I also have a pentex square top also from Ullman. With the larger main we point higher and go faster with the blade jib. Speaking of which, if any one wants a used less than one season pentex jib for their SX let me know. It is slightly larger than stock and has three verticle battents so it can still be furled. I don't know if it would fit on an 18 forstay or not. We had the sail made with main before we found out we need a blade.

I'm interested. We're recreational 18SX'ers at the south end of Lake Michigan. A couple questions, Jack: What is a pentex sail? Is it a manufacturer? How narrow/wide are the vertical battens that still allow the jib to be furled? What material is the pentex - dacron or mylar.

If you want, you can email me at jwirth1 at comcast dot net. Thanks.

John:

Pentex is a type of fiber. Here is what they look like. Both main and reacher are Pentex. Going on 6 years and reacher in just starting to show a little stretch. But no tears and you really feel the puff. Extra area in main make a LOT of difference in light air.

http://www.thebeachcats.com/modules.php ... _photo.php

Doug

Pentex is a modified polyester fiber with 250% less stretch than standard Dacron (Dacron is a DuPont trademark for polyester fiber). It is often laminated between Mylar films (Mylar is a DuPont trademark for polyester film).

John,
Pentex is the best material you will find for your boat. Better than mylar laminate, dacron. Same material as the Tiger sails and most F18 sails. If yours is a standard 18 that jib is too tall, your on a SX right?

ncmbm -

Mine's an 18SX, right. So, it sounds like the jib that Jack Flash has available will fit the taller SX mast, right?

Have you ever heard of a roller furling jib that has vertical battens???

Yes, the Tigers have run the vertical battens for some time. They are small and very thin. Not like the battens you are used to. His sail would fit your boat nicely. That would be a nice upgrade. It will make you want a new main once you taste the performance of pentex. And when you do, get a squaretop. If you question whether your boat is an SX measure the mast, SX is 29'6".

Jack Flash -

Thanks for the lead on talking to Charlie Ogletree @ Ullman Sails. I learned a lot.

I have not converted my 18SX to beam mounted jib traveler cars and jib blocks. I don't intend to do that much work for the upcoming season.

I'm either going to buy your used pentex 18SX jib, which I would prefer, or buy a new dacron 18SX jib with vertical battens from Charlie.

If you would, please get in touch with me at 219-241-4117 or jwirth1 at comcast dot net. Thanks.