Jib Halyard Failure/Coming About W/No Jib

So, after much work on a recently purchased '82 H16 we're out for just the 3rd time and almost flying a hull on a beam reach. I'm feeling pretty good. Getting more confidence. Having a blast when bam! What the hell...I look up and see that the jib halyard has snapped at the thimble. I sheet in and turn into the wind as the jib floats down. Scared the crap out of us when the mast settled aft shock loading the forestay. Anyway, we bungied up the jib and just hung out chillin and eating some lunch. Afterwards we were able to backwind and head out on a broad reach. Needing to tack I hardened up to get some more speed and tried to come about. She turned into the wind and then we got in irons. I figured no biggie, just backwind again. But this time to no avail. It was blowing pretty good. Just when we thought we had it she'd settle back into the wind. We grabbed the paddles and tried to turn her. Michelle jumped in and tried to swim us around. No good. Finally, as we were about to drift into a race course, we hailed a dude on a Laser, threw him a line and he was able to pull the bow out of the wind. Freaking embarassing, but it worked. Problem was I had to tack again after going about 1/4 mile to head into the beach. I figured I'd try and jibe. Yep. That did the trick.

So, two questions: 1) Anyone else have a jib halyard failure? I inspected this bigtime and it looked in great shape. But I suspect it hadn't been replaced in 24 years. I did replace the shrouds. Now, I'm thinking I should replace not only the jib halyard, but the forestay and bridle too even though they look like they're in good shape. 2) How the %^$# to get out of irons when not flying a jib without asking for a tow?

Mig

might want to start replacing the main halyard too... since the main falling down is a lot dfferent than a jib fallin down, but yeah, replacing all the wiring is the only thing ive ever done brand new from hobie (aside from little parts and such)... and it sure makes you feel a heck of a lot better. im more concerned my mast is gonna snap when i turtle in the mud than the wiring snapping.

and as for getting out of irons with no jib, search the hobie 14 forums for 3 point turns and getting out of irons for the best information. I just turn very smoothly so as to keep up speed, coming in from close reach as opposed to a close-haul point of sail, and let out hte sheets all the way (traveler too), move weight very gently and slowly once the boom swings all the way across, and then if i notice the boat is no longer moving forward, quickly push the boom away to the new leeward side to instantly fill, reverse rudders, and dont start trying to sheet in until im far into a close reach position again, so taht there is a safety zone from falling back into irons. put the rudders straight, adjust the traveler, sheet the main, and engage warp drive.

but i am seriously not an expert, and only sailed a 16 without a jib for a few hours when this guy showed me his modified furling catalina 22 jib that he fitted on a 16. what i learned is that oversized jibs are a pain, a nd that 14s are very similar to 16s without jibs

hope that helps,
peter

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Peter Scranton
'14 Tandem Island "Awesome"
'03 Windrider Rave "Menage a Trois"