Mast rotation

When ever I tack or jibe the mast pops (slams?) from one stop to the other regardless of the point of sail. I could be close hauled with everything sheeted in to the max and the mast is still rotated against the stop. I have read the FAQ forum thinking that my question might be in there. I have also read any related posts in here back to about '04. I have learned that this is not as it should be. The rotation should depend on the point of sail and angle of the boom. Another related item could be that I have the old jib halyard system and I could be putting to much tension on the halyard and bowing the mast. Anyone out there have anything else for me to do to help with this problem? Is the main downhaul have anything to do with this problem? I really have to crank on it to get the gooseneck down to the stripe on the mast. Thanks, M.Gann

M Gann,

Everything's OK. This is how the 14 and 16 were originally designed. The mast rotates all the way to the stop on either side of the mast base on all points of sail in all but lightest of wind conditions. Look at the position of the upper main blocks in relation to the rear crossbar and lower block, they're slightly behind the lower blocks. When closed hauled, with the traveller car/blocks/boom centered, sheeting in "to the max" will cause forward pressure on the boom and help rotate the mast to the stop on the base. When tacking or gybing there is a lot of sail up there and when the battens flip to the other side filling the sail that mast will follow right along, and quickly, to the opposite stop, resulting in that pop or slam when it gets there.

Mast rotation is adjustable, via an arm, block and control line on most all later model Hobies. The 14 and 16's rotation is preset, if you will, at a happy medium simplifying the operation of the boat (one less thing to worry about).

_________________
hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

Thanks John,
The last time I was out the wind was up a little and I was having a great day except I was worried about the rotation. Now I will just admire the simplicity of a great system and enjoy the sailing. Thanks again, M.Gann