Coming about

I am new to sailing Hobies but I am finding it especially difficult to come about. The boat always seems to stall out as it heads up into the wind. Is there a trick? I have no problem jibing. Thanks, Geoffrey

On the Hobie 16 you need to use the jib to pull the bows around. Leave it sheeted, it back-winds when you get head-to-wind. Keep it there till the main fills on the opposite tack. Another thing. Steer smoothly up into the wind and keep the speed up. Be careful not to turn the rudders "hard over" until the boat slows significantly. Hard steering stalls the boat speed.

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

Thanks Matt for the lesson. Will give it a try.

I always found it easier to tack thru the eye of the wind by cutting loose the mainsheet and letting about 5-6 " run out thru the blocks. Once you see the main starting to fill, sheet it back in.

Yes! That too!

Backwind the jib and loosen the main.

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

Here, here, a lesson well learned!

Luke

This is a great video for tacking the 16.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMka3IeyNQo&NR=1

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Jack Woehrle
Wave #100
H20 #287 "Tallahassee Lassie" (down in FLA)

I am glad to I am not alone. One last question. Should the rudders lock into the down position? Mine lock in the up position but need constant downward pressure. Is there a trick to locking them down? Thanks again.

Yes, they lock down. This is critical to comfortable sailing. There is a lot of load on the tiller (weather helm) with the rudders kicked aft even slightly.

This FAQ on rudder cams has it all:

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=467

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