Hobie 16 Setup/Launching

Good Afternoon!

Happy to report that i have bought my first sailboat and it is a 1983 Hobie 16. I sailed on an adventurer while in Hawaii a few months ago and enjoyed it so much I decided that buying and learning to sail would be my summer fun. I do not have any prior sailing experience. Just a quick learner and good study with a solid understanding of the ocean/winds from my surfing experience and some limited boating experience.

I have done a "dry run" of rigging the boat on a light wind day to learn my way around. I am hoping for the maiden voyage this weekend at a nearby 5 mile reservoir. Winds seem to be around 10-13 MPH throughout most of the morning and backing off later in the day. I am trailering the boat there. The main question I have at this time is do you guys set the sails and everything up prior to launching the boat and just not connect the boom to the upper block, or let the line completely out and connect the upper block to the boom? Or do you not even raise the sails at all and setup while on the water? Concerned about the boat catching a gust while on the trailer before it heads into the water. I looked at the wind direction and tried to see if I'd be able to situate the boat/trailer completely into the winds upon setup and launching, but that doesn't seem to be a possibility, as it looks like I will be backing the boat up to the ramp, up wind.

My other consideration is when I did the dry run, the trailer wasn't hooked up to a vehicle. Is the key just having the trailer hooked up to a vehicle, and keeping all the ratchets on the tramp pylons connected until the last possible minute? This actually seems to be the most plausible way to launch it correctly and I think my nervousness of launching is from the "instability" I experienced on my dry run when the trailer and boat weren't hooked up to a vehicle

Thanks so much and really excited for being a part of the community and learning more!

-Kyle

Congratulations!!

It is safest if you can wait until the boat is in the water / on a beach to rig sails with the boat pointed into the wind. It is dangerous with sails up on the trailer as you noted.

Yes, Keep the boat tied to the trailer and hitched to the car when stepping the mast.

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

Congratulations.
What most of us to is to drive to the lake, river etc. and get the vehicle + trailer as close to the launch spot as possible, then move the H16 onto CatTrax and wheel the boat to the beach or lawn near the ramp. Then unload the mast, sails etc., and drive the vehicle trailer to a 'good' parking spot.

On the beach, you usually have space to raise the mast and set the rigging. Then, depending on wind strength, we normally raise the jib, but let it flap freely.
We also raise the main sail, attach the main blocks, but let that flap freely as well.
Finally, do your safety checks and double checks, put on your PFD, and wheel the H16 into the water or down the ramp, pointing into the wind.
The cross winds are a problem. You may have to raise the main while at the dock or in the water.

Once the H16 is 'secured' at a dock or on the edge of the beach, attach the jib blocks to the jib clew, remove the CatTrax, unclick the rudders, and start sailing.
When the water is deep enough, lock the rudders in the 'down' position, and off you go.

As you return, remember to unlock the rudders, then do everything above, but in reverse.

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

Is there any grass/beach near the launch, or are you launching from a dock? Hoisting the sails in the water from a dock is a PITA, especially because on the 16 you need to stand in front of the mast to hoist and latch the sails. Also a dock can limit your ability to point the boat into the wind. I would suggest rigging from a beach if at all possible. Even if it means putting the boat in at a ramp and paddling it over to a nearby beach.

Backing the boat down the ramp, I would keep at least one tie down connected at the front crossbar, but all 4 corners are not necessary. You won’t need to back the boat down too far, just get the sterns wet and then pull it off.

sm

There may be a little beach area just to the left of the boat launch that I could probably use a tow line to navigate the boat over and around the dock to the beach.




Unfortunately, I do not have the CatTrax. I would have to just beach the boat after launching and use some muscle to get it up and off into the water. Thanks for all the insight on the rudder and what process would be best. Luckily, I can point the boat directly into the wind if theres beach in the area I think there is to make sure theres no issue with the sail catching a gust the wrong way.

Go for it.

When your muscles get tired, go shopping for CatTrax.
Better still, get the cradles as well.
Your arms and back will thank you.

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

Almost everywhere I launch has no beach available, and has short piers (motorboat piers).

I step the mast and set up everything on the trailer in the parking area. If possible, when I launch, I tie up to the pier with bow to the wind, and raise the main. I often have to turn the boat around, or let it go 90 degrees to the pier. I choose my launch ramp (if there are multiple ramps) based on wind direction.

If not possible to raise the sail at the pier, I motor out from the pier, head into the wind and raise the main. When I had a boat with no motor, I would paddle out from the pier and raise the main.

Last weekend, I motored out, and the wind kept pushing my bows sideways to the wind, making it impossible to raise the main. Had I had my anchor, I would have anchored to raise the main.

_________________
Yet another Bob!
"Firefly" - 2012 Hobie Getaway with wings and spinnaker
"Sparky" - 1978 Sunfish (OK, it's not a Hobie, but it's a fun little craft)
Too many canoes and kayaks

Don't raise the sails on the trailer. Raise the mast and lay the sail, rolled up, on the tramp. Use a launch ramp where there is a nearby beach and wade in the water to tow the boat to the beach. While on the trailer, connect as many blocks and pins as possible such as connecting the sheet blocks to the boom and traveler, and connecting the tiller. I always leave the rudders tied up until ready to sail (but don't forget to untie). It is too easy to drop and pins in the water or sand. Leave at least one tie down to hold the boat to the trailer. I also would unplug the trailer lights before backing in so the bulbs don't short out or break. Unless your boat was retrofitted later, it has an all aluminum mast. If so, it is imperative that you check that there are no electrical wires in the launch area that the mast might hit. Remember to put in the pin in the mast when you get ready to lower it. Everyone seems to forget once but you will never forget again.

One more thing. Make sure the plugs are in.

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Howard

Thank you all for your advice and input! It has been very helpful to get the checklist of items and insight. Yes, the power lines are the one thing that keeps reoccurring in most messages as well as hull plugs. Sometimes it's the simplest of items that can cause the most issues.

Thanks again

-Kyle

In Monmouth County, NJ you have some nice options for Hobie sailing. There is a Hobie fleet in Spring Lake on the beach and another in Atlantic Highlands and Sandy Hook Bay Catamaran Club. Sandy Hook is a great spot and a very active club.

I forgot twice, guess I am a slow learner.

Thanks Rich! Sent you a PM. Going to the Manasquan Resevoir on Sunday.




The mast has quite the kick when the pin is forgotten!

Moving the mast separately adds a LOT of work. I leave the shrouds connected whenever possible, and step/drop the mast while on the trailer. With practice, two people can go from tied on trailer to rigged in water in 10~15 minutes if there's ramp space available.

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