Hobie Mid Americas, May 28/29 2016

Hi all,

A friend who sails H14s told me about the Hobie Mid America's regatta memorial day weekend. As I'm pretty new to the scene, I'd like to sail but not on my own boat because I think it would be better for me to crew for somebody and learn about the h16s rather than sailing and just... erm well... losing to much better sailors who have 20+ years experience. I've just been racing my h16 in local Portsmouth beach cat races.

I'd easily be able to make the short 3 hr drive to Dallas to get to the Dallas Corinthian yacht club on lake lewisville.

Anybody looking for crew?

Cheers,
-Evan

Evan-

I'm new to the Hobie Cat world and would like some info on how to get started in sailing with some people in the Fort Worth/Dallas area.

I just bough a Hobie 16 and from what I can tell it's ready to go sailing(it's in great shape)

Because I've never sailed one before I'd like to go out with someone who could show me how to sail it. Would that be something you'd be interested in?

Or... Anyone else in the area, please respond to the post.

Cheers~
Andy

I'm actually thinking of trailing my boat up there and just doing the race depending on the registration fee. I live in Austin.

There's a difference between sailing ready and race-ready. Are you into racing and is your boat race ready? Mine's race ready.

There's plentiful of guys who sail out of the Galveston area, and I know one friend in Corpus Christi. You're closer to Oklahoma and I'm unsure of the scene up there. I know one other guy who sails out of Austin as well and he kicks everybody's butt on the race course. However, you'd be the first guy I know out of DFW. Yet, if you go to this regatta, you'll meet TONS of hobie sailors I hear. This is my first year on the circut, so I haven't met everybody yet.

Interesting comment. I agree, but I can't put a finger on how my boat might not be race ready. I know my trapezes need some help. What do you think forms the difference between sailing ready and race ready? I have a few races coming up.

_________________
'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages

For race ready vs sail ready, I'd consider the following things (this is just the boat, not other gear like owning trapeze harnesses etc):

1) Everything trapeze related.
2) Foot straps on tramp properly sewn on and monitored for sun damage periodically if stored outside (they can rip off tramp when hiking out)
3) Side rail grips for when you're trapezing
4) A sealed mast and removal of the bob/float on top of mast. Although, the float doesn't slow people down as much as most racers say they do in my opinion. I'd take it off depending on experience level more.
5) Jib and main traveler systems both work properly and are responsive/easy to use on the go.
6) I believe the international H16 classes do spinnakers too, so I'd add that to the list if you're doing international class. However, I have not raced international class.
7) If competing at Hobie events, they like to make sure you're using genuine hobie parts. I also think some people like to alter their boats a little bit which may cause them to be disqualified at hobie events

After that, I'd consider upgrades (these ones aren't on my boat yet, not enough money in the budget)
1) 6:1 downhaul instead of conventional style.
2) Carbon fiber telescoping tiller. (I have aluminum for now, it's heavier)

I bet some of the other guys on here would have more to add to this list, especially with all of the changes for newer models. That's all I can think of for now though.

Overall comes the fine tuning of the boat. There was a really REALLY good post on here about 7 months ago about that. Although I haven't had time to read through it all yet, it's on my list to do as I get more and more into racing.

OK. Pretty standard stuff; I can honestly say that my boat is in better shape than most that I see. Part of that is that it's not ancient.

I have the 6:1 downhaul (love it), traps, hot stick, decent sails. On the traps I need to refresh the shock cords and the skipper's adjustment line, and I discovered last week that I need to seal the mast. Don't have a mast bob.

Smaller things that I feel I should do are:
- install scales on the mast for the downhaul and possibly jib
- shave the trailing edges of the rudders to eliminate the hum
- install the gudgeon bushings to eliminate the small amount of slop that I have there.
- adjust the main sheet cleat angle for better operation when I'm low on the trap.

_________________
'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages

Yeah, pretty standard stuff for race ready, like you said.

The fine tuning of the boat are the smaller things. For example the scales you talk about, and shaving the trailing edges.

I guess we could say in that case "there's a difference between race ready and win ready" or something like that.

I can get my boat race ready, but win ready I'm still working on.

In addition to race ready, I think it's necessary to roll in anything having to do with the trailer so that you can tow it as well. A non-competitive sailor might just stay on his one lake or beach, whereas someone who competes often travels a few hours to another yacht club or lake for a competition.

Well, there's another area I need to work on. I always tow several hours to sail, but I have never gotten around to getting bearing buddies and I definitely need to rewire the trailer with LED. OTOH I have improved the tiedown system and that is a decent time savings.

May: sail a few times in the York (2 hours away).
June: two races, 2 and 4.5 hours away.

In fact "Travel ready" is something I have been working on slowly, not just the trailer but also the storage and choreography of setup and takedown. I normally day sail with a lengthy trailer trip, so not having to reinvent the wheel every trip means more time on the water. Big sail bag on the tramp, rudders go in the bottom and the main (mainsheet still connected) goes on top with the jib rolled in. Stuff like that. Still need to get some velcro straps to tame the shrouds.

_________________
'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages

Anton, any chance we can get you to join us for any Div. 11 races this year?

Jim

So far I'm planning to do the Duck Cup and the Rappahannock Rivah Regatta. I'd love to get to the 4th of July event up in Sandy Hook but that would be a stretch on the home front.

_________________
'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages

NOR for Midamericas: https://www.regattatech.com/public/Hobi ... 202016.doc

_________________
85 Hobie 14 "mello yello"