reefing hobie 18 main

Has anyone seen any Hobie brand or aftermarket modifications for the hook, ring and halyard system to hoist the main on a H18?
For instance, something like just the halyard without the hook. The halyard could be cleated or tied at the base of the mast, so in stronger winds one could reef the main a bit by lowering it and re-tying. Even without the situation of reefing, if, for whatever reason, one has to lower the main, it seems to me that with the standard system you have to be on hard land to get the ring out of the hook.
Any idea, suggestions or directions are much appreciated. Thanks
Robi

There is no system I know of for reefing an 18. Any Hobie with a CompTip would have a problem reefing due to the plastic luff track. They need to be fully hoisted to lock and stay within the track. We added an extra aluminum section to the Sport Cruiser for this purpose, you could try that, but keeping the sail head in the aluminum is critical. Otherwise the luff pulls out. It is a tough balance between halyard tension and downhaul / mainsheet tension.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Thank you, Matt.
I live in Daytona Beach and a few years back I remember seing the start of the Vorrel 1000 from the beach. Most of the boats (I do not remember if they were Hobies) had a main that went up very easily, literally hoisted while sitting on the trampoline, and they tied the halyard to the base of the mast.
When I hoist the main, it's a job. I need to wear my harness so I can walk backwards with the halyard hooked to the harness. Lubricating the sail with sail kote helps a little but it is still hard work. Do you know of any other catamarans that have the other system? Thank you
Robi

I sail out of a very tight marina (the entrance is long and narrow and the prevailing winds are such that 99%of the time I have to tack back in). That combined with physical layout limits of the dock and ramp I have to drop the sail fast at one point. To accomplish this I never use the hook at the mast head (I do have an all aluminium mast). I just tie off the halyard. But as Matt says the downhaul suffers. I never get a perfect (or even very close) set up between the halyard and downhaul. This is a trade off I have to live with when I sail out of their (when I go someplace else with a beach, or the like, then I use the hook and I notice the difference.

All that to say, you can just tie off the halyard, but you pay a small price.

Difficulty raising the sail is not related to the hook system.

Read my detailed FAQ about hoisting for some good tips.

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=371

You HAVE to feed the sail better at the bottom and hoist only the slackened luff up the mast. Once you pull hard and the sail jams at the feeder... it is way to hard.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Matt, Your advise is always appreciated. The link was excellent, I was doing everything wrong

The uncleat of the hoop is actually easy if you do it right. The most important thing is to move the rotater arm toward the hook when releasing and away when engaging. By pushing the rotation toward the hook when you pull the halyard the hoop will move away allowing the sail to drop. Also drench the luff track with sailcote not just the sail. New crisp sails go up easiest because of the finish that makes them crisp. This finish can be reapplied by a sailmaker.

It is a little confusing...

Here is the text from the FAQ linked above:


Locking the Hobie 17/18/20/21 Halyard:

It is best to simulate the halyard locking with the mast down so you clearly understand the system.

Then, depending on how old the boat is, be sure the hook does not have the old "flopper" stainless piece hanging on the hook. This old device caused difficulty in raising and hooking but would make it easier to release and lower.

Also, be sure that the knot tied to the ring is very low profile. A long bowline knot will hit the mast head before the ring gets to the hook.

If the ring has a small loop at the top... The line should be passed through the loop and a small knot tied. The knot (when ring and shackle are afixed to the sail) should be facing the mast. This tilts the ring closer to the mast.

Then (before attaching halyard shackle to the sail) spin the haylard 3 or 4 times clockwise (looking down on the shackle). This "pre-loads" the halyard line and causes the ring to swing back towards the hook. Keep the boat into the wind and hoist. Should lock easily.

To release... fully release the downhaul and outhaul. Partially feed the sail up the luff track. Hoist with the halyard to the top till it stops, hold... rotate the aft of the mast base to starboard, hold the mast rotated, ease the halyard a few feet before releasing the mast. Lower the sail.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Matt, is this the "flopper" thing you are talking about.

http://www.jjds.net/hobie/flopper.jpg

I was thinking of removing this, but thought it might mess something up. From your description, it sounds like it would be OK to remove it. My ring keeps getting stuck between the two pieces of metal because there is a gap between them (side to side)...just enough that the ring can get stuck. When that happens, I lay the boat on its side on the beach and then go down to the end of the mast and unhook it. I have to have another person to right the boat again.

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Tad Jones
1985 Hobie 18 - Redline
Magnum Wings

That's the "flopper". Ditch it. They haven't put in on the boats in 20 years.

sm