Newbie wondering if learning without a Jib is a good idea

Just bought a Hobie 16 and just learning to sail it. An experienced sailor friend told me I should start the first few times with the mainsail only, no Jib.

I have experience only on an Adventure Island.

Is this a good way to start? Typical Summer afternoon breezes in SE Florida are about 8-12 knots.

Thanks for any advice.

That sort of depends on what sort of personality you have. Are you cautious or a daredevil? Are you afraid of capsizing? Do you have a good instructor? Do you like reading instruction manuals before setting out? How good is your coordination?

There's so much about you we don't know: Your weight? Learning to sail your H16 with or without a crew?
Learning to sail your new H16 in warm water of SE Fla. in 8-12 knots wind is ideal if you sail with a crew and your combined weight is about 240 lbs. or more.
If you plan on learning solo, then I think you should go out early, before the wind gets up to 10-12 knots. You need some wind to learn to sail and tack and jibe, but you don't want too much wind and you never want to get out of your comfort zone.
Better to learn with a jib. It makes tacking a lot easier. If your afraid of being overpowered, then don't go out. If you go out when the winds are light, carry a small paddle.
Enjoy your boat, but keep it safe!

+1 richandpat

Tacking is the key. Without a jib it's almost entirely impossible. You'll be scratching your head wondering how to sail this wonderful boat as you're stuck in irons facing into the wind and "scullying" your rudders like mad trying to get the bows around.

Do go out in light winds. Set your jib travelers in the middle of the track and leave them. Leave the jib cleated to leeward until after your tack and it will backfill and help pull the bows through the wind. Once you are through the wind, with the main newly situated on the other side, you can then focus on hauling the jib to the other side.

Without the jib you're asking for frustration. In the beginning (NOT that long ago) I was a little intimidated by the jib while I was learning everything else, but I was much more successful much earlier on because I used it from the beginning.

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'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'

Yeah, definitely take the jib!

I went out a while ago with the girlfriend. I'd only had the boat a couple of weeks and as she isn't very clued-up at all when it comes to sailing (nor was/am I), I thought I'll just leave the jib in the centre and not worry about sheeting it in from side to side. = Fail.

That day, I learned 2 things:

#1 - What it means to be "In irons".

and #2: How short my temper can be when I get frustrated due to lack of knowledge.

By the time I managed to finish the tack (we're talking a good 5-10 minutes in irons, here) the boat was pretty-much for sale, my girlfriend and I were through and I was never gonna try sailing again! That passed in seconds once I got moving again, but it was a lesson well learned.

Without having the jib to backfill/backwind, a successful tack is near impossible!

Not long after that, the wind picked up to a gusty 20 knots and I learned all about my comfort zone. These things are quite the handful when the wind gets into their sails and even with the main and jib sheeted right out, I was still struggling to keep my pulse and the boat speed to a manageable rate. My girl only weighs about 50kg and I'm about 80, so the inclination for the boat to get a lean on was pretty strong. Then as we headed downwind back to shore, we were riding in on the white-caps and rollers with the leeward bow-tip going a few inches under water occasionally, and me with images of slow-motion pitch-poles and capsizing running through my head!!!

Overall, a grand day out!!!

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'97 Hobie 16.

Skype: rob_arnolda

Thank you very much for the helpful suggestions.
I will definitely use the jib from the start
And at 155 lbs I will take someone with me who can
Help me right the boat when capsized!
Thanks again.

I wouldn't go without a jib on a Hobie 16.

If you want less power, reef the main sail. I really like the solo control you have in heavy winds with less power. You'll still fly if you want to.

If you want fewer things to think about: try sailing with the jib alone. I've done that in really windy conditions and it keeps things simple and make it hard to capsize.
But take the main wrapped around the boom with you, tied to the tramp. I've discovered that currents can be stronger than the wind force on the jib alone and you want to be able to power up the boat if need the need arises.

And take a paddle! That's your backup motor if the wind dies.

And have fun.

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frank pichel, H16 Veribold, #71146