First time out couldn't get sail all the way up.

Ok I tested it out again today, and I got it almost all the way up, but now what caught me up is getting the tack of the sail through the sail feeder part. There is no way the rope that is in the luff of sail and makes a 90 degree angle at the tack of the sail can fit through the sail feeder part. I took it off and it does look a little beat up, so I think I will buy this new part. (http://www.murrays.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MS&Product_Code=50-80100501) Does this sound right?
Thanks,

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CP

The hobie sail feeder works but sometimes spreading it and filing the lower section to smooth it
also one other trick is go out and buy a small bottle of dish soap, it help feed and when it gets wet it gets slipprier, also it washes your sail a little bit this was taught to me by a hobie 18 sailor

So the sail feeder part is not standard on a H16? Doesn't it hold the gooseneck in place, or does that go somewhere else?
Thanks,
CP

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CP

The stainless steel sail feeders (screwed into the mast at the cutout in the sail track) weren't on the original boats, but they got added on as a standard component probably in the 70's or 80's. I think they stopped including them in past few years because someone finally realized that they don't do anything but cause problems. If your boat has one, it would probably be a good idea to take it off and at least try without it- make your own judgement.

The sail feeder does not hold the gooseneck on the 16. The sail feeder would be above the gooseneck. The gooseneck on the 16 slides into the section of luff track below the cutout in the mast.

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I bought my H-16 new in 1985 and it was equipped with the sail guide. It is still on the mast and has never caused me any problem. At the time I saw others with earlier boats without the guide struggle getting the sail fed into the slot. After 23 years of sailing this boat I would not remove the sail guide. I sail solo a great deal and rig the boat alone. The only problem I have had getting the sail all the way up was when the main sheet got cleated and held the boom down as I was raising the sail. I have never lubricated the mast track or the sail luff though I know there are sprays for that purpose. I haven't had the need for them.

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Howard

Lube it, you'll be shocked how much easier it is. Granted different sails, but with my FXone I can push the sail almost a 1/3 of the way up not using the halyard. I don't think that would work with dacron.

I should lube mine sometime.. I always have to fight with it to get the main notched on the top.. I do it on the dock, I don't think I could ever lower the main while on the water... that locking mechanism is just too difficult to "undo" without being able to walk around to the front side of the mast and yank on it.

While wearing my sailing gloves, I can get it notched without too much difficulty.. but you need to make sure you have the bottom of the sail free.. and even pushed up a little in the mast, so you aren't trying to feed it while you are pulling. Just have to clear the channel from all the spiderwebs! Wrap the halyard around your hand a couple times and give her a good pull!

using the sandwitch method works great - couldnt get main up all the way just by pulling.

Just from memory, but I didn't think the tack of the main needed to go through the sail feeder. Maybe I'm remembering it wrong, but I thought you pulled the main up, latched the halyard and then put the gooseneck in going down in the track opening below. I sold and assembled a few hundred 16's and I never remember having trouble. I did need to squeeze the jaws of the feeder together on every boat I assembled to keep the boltrope from binding in it once the lower part of the sail started coming through it due to the luff curve. If the top of the sail can bearly go into the sail feeder without binding the sail should go right up without any handling or snagging and no need for lubrication regardless of batten tension or anything else.

I do remember having to work on the mast top on a few used boats. If the metal anywhere around the mast top pulley is bent in, it's easy for the stop sleeve on the halyard to get jambed up in there.

I'm a newbie this summer... and well disagree with a lot above.

first - I bought old boat... sail goes up - but as the admin said - the technique makes a world of difference. On the old boat - we "MUST" have someone put a hand on each side of the sail (like clapping hands) and push up - as someone slowly takes up the slack. Rather than pulling it up the sail is pushed up from the bottomand the haleyard line is just helping keep the upper sail moving. When we do this - I can get it up all the way every time. Without this 2 person technique - I can never get the sail up all the way (ON THIS OLD BOAT)
This boat does not have the sail "feeder guide" people say to remove above.

So - I get another boat - newer boat - this one has the sail feeder kit (I LOVE THAT FEATURE!) so take yours off (anyone who has and said to above) and PLEASE send it to me - for my old boat. As my new boat has one and it's a wonderful thing. I mean truly wonderful. The newer boat's sail is also newer and I don't need to push - feed it - I can just pull the haleyard (sp?) and raise the sail - goes up EASY - feeds itself due to the feeder kit. (was on when I bought and wondered where to get one for my older boat). Ship me once please = )

Not sure why this one is so easy other than feeder and sail just isn't as tight in the track. Comes down so easily, all I have to do is release the stopper from the pin at the top of the mast and let go of the hailyard and the entire sail slides down without any assistance. I tell ya - ITS NICE! I'd like to get my old boat to do this - what is this LUBE you speak up and where to put it? Also what is the sail stuff mentioned above? (that seems to help the sail slide in the track?