Could you use the jib to raise the mast?

Just thinking aloud here...

There are a bunch of posts on adding a rope to the Jib Halyard and using it to help raise the mast. Why not just install the jib while the mast is laying down? Then you could use the jib/halyard to raise the mast once you get it up to your shoulder. Tie it off once it is raised, then install the forestay, back off the jib, raise the main, retighten the jib.

Am I missing anything?

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Steve
2017 Hobie 16 "Cayman" sails 114795
1985 & 1973? Hobie 14 "Sea & Ski"

Maybe a long enough halyard. The Aussie purchase might work great if the line was long enough.

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

I'll definitely try this the next time out. That will be this Saturday so I will let you all know. Sounds good to me and will solve one of my problems. When I install the halyard extension and tension it to pull up the mast, it twists so many times that it will not release after the forestay is installed. If I use the jib, it will prevent the halyard from twisting just as it does when I put the jib up. I should have seen this as a solution before this. It will also save me the time that it takes to go back and put up the jib. It will already be there. Cool.

I could see this working in a light breeze, but it seems like something that would be a major headach and potentially dangerous if done in any significant wind. Trying to hold the mast up while simultaneously hoisting and trying to control a flogging jib seems like a disaster in the making.

I think I'd just sacrafice some sailing time and take the extra 60 seconds to raise the mast safely the old fashion way.

sm

It isn't a big deal but you wont be able to hook the jib hank on the forestay... and you will just have one more big flapping thing to get caught up on stuff while stepping the mast....

using a line tied off to my mast stand for an extension works great for me.. I couldn't imagine what you might have getting hung up or twisted that wouldn't be a problem, or more of a problem with the Jib on there....

It seems like to much risk to the sail IMO... But heck...


But I would love to hear how it goes for you and if you come up with any tricks.. anything that makes rigging to boat faster is fine by me...

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www.thehobiewayoflife.com

If you're referring to the jib halyard, absolutely. However, you WILL require an 8' extention as the halyard alone is not long enough. Call me crazy, but that's how I raise & lower my mast solo, even though I use a Ausie Halyard for flying the jib. And, having the extra halyard on your mast is not as cumbersome as you might think. All I can say is, "it works for me !!!"

Now, as far as using the jib itself as opposed to the extension is concerned, I personally think that would be a big obstruction. You don't apply any tention on the halyard til the mast has been completely raised by hand. I wouldn't want to take a chance on damaging my jib as there are many things it could get caught on in the process.

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Happy Sailing,

David

Yes, I was referring to using the jib itself as the extension.

I do see the concern about catching it on something and damaging the jib. That is an excellent point. Perhaps rolling it along the length would alleviate some of that risk and is easily undone when you are ready to unfurl it.

I will try to play with it this weekend also, and see how it goes. I hope the weather holds out, so far it is not promising for Saturday.

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Steve
2017 Hobie 16 "Cayman" sails 114795
1985 & 1973? Hobie 14 "Sea & Ski"

I'm sure it could be done, but I don't know why you would do this. A new jib after you rip it because it got caught up on something is way more expensive than some old line you probably have in your cat box. I always just used a bit of old line tied to the end of my halyard and tied to the toung of the trailer.

A great tip I picked up here was to tie the rope/halyard off to the bridles. That way, once you step the mast and pull the jib halyard tight, the chain-plate is already in the exact spot you need it to be.

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'97 Hobie 16.

Skype: rob_arnolda

Used the jib to raise the mast Saturday. Worked just fine. Wind was about 12 mph to start out with. Did not flap or catch on anything. It just has to be on the other side of the mast from where you are standing to raise it. Worked and saved me a few minutes, also keeps the ausy halyard from twisting as I use the extension to raise the mast. That has been driving me crazy. I've completely un-rigged the halyard and made sure there was no twist to it and as soon as I use the extension to pull the mast up tight so I can put the forestay on, it spins around and twists the lines up so tight that they will not release so I can pull it down and use it to raise the jib. I have had it so tight that I could not even release it at the bridle and had to cut the extension to get it to release. Using the jib keeps it from twisting. Might be a problem in more air. Anyone else have that problem with the ausy halyard it is the Hobie brand with the blue dyneema line. Had it now for about 4 seasons.

I have never had my jib halyard twist that bad, but it does twist more then I would like when you tighten it up. But as far as having it release, I have never had a problem with that.

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http://www.GetWetSailing.com It's A Great Day To Sail!

maybe im not seeing something - but - when you raise the mast why not use a winch?

the 78 hobie my family used to have had one attached to the front of the trailer where the mast rested on transport and it worked really well to help raise the mast (no twisting or anything).

Just curious..don't see mention of it here.

-R

Hey getwet....nice blog

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_OOFqQv-ME[/youtube]

It seems like a reasonable question, but the only place to launch the cat near the cottage has a powerline running right over it. Everywhere else has steel seawall with a 4' drop to the water. I have to walk it down the ramp (the ramp is on my property, I have no trailer), then row out a ways before I put up the mast and sails. Let me tell you, putting it up while standing on a rocking boat SUCKS!

I have about 90% built a floating dock for the boat that will attach firmly to my seawall that I will use to put up the mast and then launch from. The floating dock will have a 8' mast stand to rest it on at the least, with the option to add a winch if I need it.

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Steve
2017 Hobie 16 "Cayman" sails 114795
1985 & 1973? Hobie 14 "Sea & Ski"

I frequently use the jib line to raise the mast. I use an extra length of line, tie it to the shackle on the jib line, then run that through an eyelet on the front of the trailer (to the post that holds the mast). I then tie off the line at the base of the mast. Once the mast is stepped, I use that line to reel in the jib line, and again tie it off on the mast. Now, I'm free to jump down and attach the forstay. Voila.

I came up with this years ago, back in the '70's cause I used to sail my 16 solo on most occasions. Now, many years later, its still a very effective, if not cheap means of stepping the mast by myself.

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Stayin' Thirsty...
2011 Hobie 16SE
Atlanta, GA