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| Anyone ever try a "Hooter" spinnaker? http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=30417 |
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| Author: | Jman6631 [ Thu Aug 26, 2010 6:30 am ] |
| Post subject: | Anyone ever try a "Hooter" spinnaker? |
I'm looking to add a spinnaker and am getting up to speed on the different approaches. Other than the standard Hobie rig I found references to something called a hooter on Catsailor.com. Check this out: http://www.catsailor.com/bestof_articles/Hooter.html Has anyone ever heard of it or even used one? Advisable? Not advisable? Reputable? Not reputable? Could the claims of superior performance over standard spins be true, whole or in part? Thanks in advance! |
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| Author: | wildlatin [ Thu Aug 26, 2010 10:31 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Anyone ever try a "Hooter" spinnaker? |
I'm trying to fabricate one, very cheaply, from a large genoa. I have a pretty non-standard setup on my (almost) Turbo 14 which includes a hopefully light enough fiberglass (Carbon fiber would be great but... $$$?) 'A-frame' combination mast stepping spar system which runs forward from the crossbar corners and will support the Hooter furler. Clew running to standard Turbo blocks on the tramp. It extends about 2 ft beyond the 'normal' forestay with separate bridle wires and bow attachment points. I've considered a light, rigid crossbar to attach the bows but considering drag- why the evolution of cats dropped that feature- I won't add any more forward weight unless needed. I have installed standard H16-like controls on the crossbar for the smaller non-furling jib- which I hope to run with (or without) the Hooter. Secondary mast tang placement aloft is a problem- I've heard that all-aluminum masts can take higher position for Hooter but mine is a comptip to which I'm considering adding additional carbon fiber tube reinforement externally. Or I may end up using my older aluminum mast. You might also notice that H16-like shroud attachment to the hulls is required for the additional load, plus careful management of the mainsail as a structural backstay against the Hooter load. I don't know how the whole fore/aft balance will work- comments have described a good forward lift gained by the Hooter (countering pitchpole) but that remains to be tested. I've tried to research how Hooter tacking works- may have to furl/unfurl to accomplish that with my rig. I'm sure all these experimental mods would work better on an H16 rather than my H14T but you gotta go with what you got- most everything can be transferred over if I get a deal on a larger cat- or win The Lottery... |
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| Author: | Roy [ Thu Aug 26, 2010 11:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Anyone ever try a "Hooter" spinnaker? |
I'd really like to try to put one on my getaway as it is a little underpowered. |
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| Author: | tchilds [ Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:56 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Anyone ever try a "Hooter" spinnaker? |
You should be fine. Upon closer inspection of their webpage, they are using an aluminum bowsprit not CF. The cost of the kit is more than the euro hobie kit with snuffer system and carbon fiber bowsprit. Of course this thing furls... supposedly. What I don't understand is how you get a curved sail to furl... sounds like a major PITA to me! |
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| Author: | Little Wing [ Fri Aug 27, 2010 9:14 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Anyone ever try a "Hooter" spinnaker? |
I have seen one in operation, and it overpowered the boat in any thing over 10mph wind, unless you are going dead down wind. As I recall there is no cleating system and the pole had to modified, the guy I know sold his after one season. |
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| Author: | Sail Revolution [ Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:03 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Anyone ever try a "Hooter" spinnaker? |
That's precisely why the cut of the spi and spin pole length are so important. If it's wrong it won't lift the bows. I know a guy that used an old 5o5 spi and it was a disaster in anything over 10. Sure it sailed deep, but it would overpower and cartwheel the boat. The modern, flat cut spis lift the bows and are much better at reaching, the way cats like to sail. |
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| Author: | Jman6631 [ Fri Aug 27, 2010 12:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Anyone ever try a "Hooter" spinnaker? |
Hey Jeremy, I just picked up a piece of 1-3/4" x 14' aluminum for CHEAP at the local hobie shop, so I'm starting to piece this beast together, but I'm in no rush. Do you know if anyone makes a spi/furling second jib specifically in a flat "hooter" shape? I don't even know what dimensions or specs to even give a loft in order to have one made. On Catsailor.com it was mentioned to get the hardware all set up and then simply take dimensions and go from there. |
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| Author: | Karl Brogger [ Fri Aug 27, 2010 1:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Anyone ever try a "Hooter" spinnaker? |
Surf City Catamarans wrote: If it's wrong it won't lift the bows. If its wrong it will also lift the bows too much. One of the guys testing the Marstrom 20 was hauling the mail downwind and it was way overpowered. The chute created so much lift that it would not dig in. Being way overpowered and refusing to stuff, it lifted the sterns clear with no rudders in the water. 
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| Author: | Sail Revolution [ Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Anyone ever try a "Hooter" spinnaker? |
Werd Karl, Another illustration why the shape and set up is important. If anyone can cut a chute that lifts a 16 out of the water so that just the rudders are in the water, let me know.  I don't know the dimensions. Most of the sailmakers keep that info on the dl. |
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| Author: | DavidBell47 [ Sun Aug 29, 2010 1:09 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Anyone ever try a "Hooter" spinnaker? |
Hope this answers someone's questions, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHANbuR9hN4 |
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| Author: | Little Wing [ Sun Aug 29, 2010 5:45 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Anyone ever try a "Hooter" spinnaker? |
can't speak for the 16 The one I saw was on an 18. |
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| Author: | DavidBell47 [ Sun Aug 29, 2010 2:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Anyone ever try a "Hooter" spinnaker? |
I thought we were talking about 16's. I personally run a spi (not the kit) on my 16. Presently, I'm flying a 5o5 spi because I can't find a 16 spi within my designated buget but all the hardware meets recommended specs. Haven't had it out in more than 10 Mph but it is quite smooth and the bows are lifted. I have the spec (dimensions) of the H16 spi but will have to locate them. Will post them as soon as I do. It's an investment that so far, I'm not sorry for. |
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| Author: | Jman6631 [ Mon Aug 30, 2010 7:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Anyone ever try a "Hooter" spinnaker? |
Hey Dave, thanks a million! Looking forward to your specs. That will help a lot. |
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| Author: | DavidBell47 [ Tue Aug 31, 2010 2:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Anyone ever try a "Hooter" spinnaker? |
Hey Jman, Here you go: Luff = 19.5 ft Foot = 8.75 ft Leach = 17.25 ft |
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| Author: | Jman6631 [ Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Anyone ever try a "Hooter" spinnaker? |
Oh baby, thanks brother!!! |
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