New Purchase - Some Questions

Hi,

I just purchased a used H16 (1987) this winter in NJ, got it out 4 times over the past few weeks in Barnegat Bay... double trapped, etc, just an awesome time all around. This is the first Hobie (and first Sailboat) i've ever owned -- although i have some experience with 16's up in Michigan-- and some questions came up:

- We pitchpoled twice this weekend (the numerous motorboat wakes didn't help) -- so when the leeward pontoon is about to go under, and both of us are already quite far back on the rail trapezed out, what is the best way to quickly reduce pressure on the hull? Obviously letting out jib or main would help -- Any other suggestions for a last-second saving move? Which would be more effective to let off- Jib or Main ?

- On the same train of thought, somewhere else on this board it was mentioned that more mast rake might reduce pressure on leeward hull... This is eminently reasonable -- Any other thoughts?

- My H-16 boom has a "tang" (about 1/3 of the way back from the gooseneck) that seems like it would be appropriate for the addition of a Vang, however the boat did not come with one. Are Vang's class legal? Does anyone have any experience with the benefits of adding one?

- Any recommendations of areas to sail on Barnegat/Metedeconk in NJ where there are fewer motorboats?

Thats it for now.. Can't wait until the weekend to get back out there!

DanR

Hey Dan,
Can only respond to a few of your issues. My oppinion to your first issue concerning rake is, "yes, added rake causes less pressure to be applied to your leeward bow. The second, boom vangs are class legal and my personal experience is that they work wonders for your downwind sailing. I use the main to get as much downward tension as I can on the boom and then I tension the vang. Sounds like you're having fun already. Welcome to the club.

Happy Sailing,

David

P.S. Oh, and your question about whether to turn up or fall off, I'm not gonna touch that one. Someone asked that question on the forum last month and it almost started a riot. sssssshhh! Better let that one go.

Dan - hook up with the folks in Hobie Class Assn. Division 11 here: http://www.div11.hobieclass.com/

They have one of the more active Hobie 16 fleets in the country. They can answer your questions regading places to sail, etc.

As far as the vang goes, none of the top racers use one - in fact, the new boats have not come with the tang on the boom for about 20 years.

Hey Dan,

MBounds is right. My boat is an 85 and it wasn't set up for a vang. I've only been sailing for a year and I put one on it out of curiosity. Even during the regattas here, I never see any H16s with vangs. This was a personal preference of mine that I found improves my downwind sailing.

Hey MBounds, I use to live in Detroit. Worked at the Detroit (salt) Mine. Don't know if it's still there or not.

Happy Sailing Guys,

David

I was "that guy" who asked if it is better to fall off or head up. Read over that thread and you will find that it really depends on many variables and there is no one catch all answer. I think experience at recognizing what the situation calls for is what you need. That will come in time.

As for the boom vang... you technically do not need one. It's only purpose is to keep tension on the main leach when the main sail is sheet out quite far. Since our boats have a large beam (about 8') and the main traveler covers most of that, we can use the main sheet to hold leach tension through a much wider angle than say a Laser. The boom vang is only effective when the tack of your sail is significantly outboard of the traveler's usefull range. Otherwise it is an extra line you have to deal with wich adds complication and clutter.

From a technical stand point you don't need one. If you are not racing I would suggest to avoid it as there is no reason to add an extra item to have to set up every time you go out and to it will get in teh way of the crew who will probably be fairly inexperieced.

Vangs are very useful on mono's since they don't have the relative beam that we do and can't travel out as far.

I'm sure I will hear some rebuttals. But, that is how we all learn from each other. And it is part of the fun.

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

Dan
I am one of the guys Matt Bounds mentioned in division 11. He is right we have lots of Hobie 16's sailing here and would love to have you join us. There is a regatta on Barnegat Bay July 15-16 and if you don't want to join in on the racing it's a great chance for you to meet some people. There is also a lively social side of regattas in the evenings, you would enjoy that even if you don't sail.

You can find information on this regatta "Barnegat Breezer", as well as fleet contact information on our web site at http://www.div11.hobieclass.com/. I would also strongly recommend you consider joining a fleet, it's a great way to meet people and have fun with your Hobie.

As for sailing spots, the regatta I mentioned is sailed from Berkley Island Park and is one of the best free launch spots on Barnegat Bay. It is commonly called "Trixies" after the marina across the street. Take a look at http://www.trixieslanding.com/html/welcome.htm for info and directions. You can also read about this spot on www.iwindsurf.com.

In general as you go south on Barnegat Bay it gets shallower so there are fewer motor boats. There are several yacht clubs on the bay that are very nice and have hobies. These are Shore Acres YC, Brant Beach YC and Spray Beach YC. Spray Beach has the biggest group. Yacht clubs are very nice and you should check them out. Lastly there used to be a group sailing out of a marina near Waretown, place called Smity's. I don't know if there is anyone left there or not though.

David - the salt mine is still there, although a lot of people in the area don't know it is. It stopped producing in 1983 and they've tried to turn it into a tourist attraction and then a hazardous waste dump. Neither one went very far. Now it's just a 1400 acre abandoned city with 50 miles of roads, 1200 feet below the Ford Rouge plant.