single hand 16

i am thinking about taking my 1977 Hobie16 out tomorrow single handed. Not too much wind so not worried about righting myself. But I was gonna go jib-less. What do I do about my forestay? Tighten it down real tight?

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~Kyle Gless '77 Hobie 16

The 16 sails horribly with out the jib.

Loosen up the shrouds, tighten the forestay then hang your self in a trap harness, and tighten the shrouds again.

Thanks, i think i found someone to crew for me i hope. Gettin chillier on the Long Island Sound as the days go by.

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~Kyle Gless '77 Hobie 16

I solo my 16 without the jib to de power. It pushes a little less on the bows, but it's kind of a bear to tack! I wouldn't call it horrible though... if you're sailing, it can't be horrible! I tension the rig as Karl noted- I put the shrouds in the second hole up, pull the forestay as tight as I can, then use the trap harness and tension the shrouds down. I've also tried using the jib sheet to tighten the rig further by pulling the forestay aft somewhat. Dave

My 2c worth, I would suggest keeping the jib and rather reefing the main, move jib traveller all the way down. This way you will enjoy it more.

If the wind really picks up tacking will be a problem without a jib - reversing rudders and then pulling main to push boat around, H14 style. Jib just makes it easier. Bows will tend to dig in more so move more backwards.

Enjoy

Reefing is good, but I think newer sails lack reefing grommets- I don't have any , but thought I saw that somewhere! If you hit it right, you don't need to backwind to tack, but it does take a little practice- waves don't help either. Dave

I sail my 16, solo.... almost all the time with my jib on and I've only been sailing for 4 years... I'm low time sailer... and I don't have too much trouble going solo on it. No reefs... just cautious to not capsize it... although I'm pretty big, I should be able to right it by myself.. just too chicken!

When you tack, just leave the jib cleated till the main has moved over, then uncleat it and it will pop over and you can cleat it again.

Seriously, I have not had any major issues with going solo.. the jib doesn't need much attention at all.