First sail...Silicone/Teflon spray on luff track?

Hi everyone,,,, first sail after one year resto was this past Monday!! the boat sailed like a dream. Won every leg against my friend's Solcat, even with 20 year old hobie sails. 19 mile trip both ways to Vieques...east of PR.

Ill post pics when I get them on to the pc...

Anyways I initialy had a bit of trouble getting the main up thru the track while rigging at shore. The higher it went the more friction it created and I literaly had to hang myself from the halyard to get it up while my gf feeded thru the track. I did notice the comtip flexing a bit and was woried it would snap from the pulling force on the halyard.

Anyone uses silicone or teflon to make it go easier?? Brands?

thanks!

McLube Sailkote. Dry teflon based spray can. Good stuff.

Brian C

For a longer lasting solution, check out Holmenkol's "Seal-n-Glide" product. It is available from Layline (1-800-542-5463). It will do wonders and last much longer than McLube.

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Trey Brown
www.velocitysailing.com
2006 N20 1017
1998 H16 102698
www.sunjammers.com ftw!

Mileage varies. My experience was not the same as Trey's.

Brian C

Dumb question. - Do you rig your main first, then the jib?
Raising the jib first can cause that type of problem.

Also, if the mainsail battens are too tight, the curvature in the sail 'fights' the straight mast.

We often use the business end of a paddle to 'push' a batten cap higher up the mast to help in such situations, plus holding up the boom. This does get in the way of the beer.

Just my 2c worth.

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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.'

I rig the main first and then the jib,,,, the battens where tight but enough to stay in the pocket just fit.

Anyone knows the # cam used on the main trav....Im about to order a new one online as we speak??

This is the only cam I havent replaced yet!

My experience is different than Trey's too. That Seal and Glide is $40, and its 2 part making it a pain to apply. It says that there is enough to do 2 J24 Spi's in a bottle, but you're just doing a H16 bolt rope. You can't spray it cause it will coat your lungs. Get a $10 can of Mclube it's easier for just a bolt rope. If I were a serious racer lubing the kite on my Melges 32 I might use that stuff, but not for a simple bolt rope.

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Sail Revolution
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When I first raised my Main a few weeks ago it was a pain too. I then learned to loosen the outhaul first. Team McLube and a little pushing on the battons while guiding the sails luff rope into the track made it so much smoother. I'm jist a beginner with Hobie's but if you're nearly suspending yourself pulling the main up I think thats using way too force to pull a sail and will eventually cause damage to something. I notice if I'm in a hurry it actually takes longer, but taking my time, feeding and gently raising the main it gets easier and easier everytime.

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1981 H16.
1993 Macgregor 26S

Leaving the jib forestay a little loose seems to help as well. Pull up the jib, and then tension it once the main is up. I think it may have to do with bending the mast forward a bit when the jib halyard is tensioned.

In my 35 years of Hobie sailing, its always main first, then jib, if for no other reason tnan the jib is in your face when you raise the main if you do it other way round. I am a devoted Mclube advocate- in the mast groove, prior to raising the mast, plus on the bolt rope. Sucessive appications appear to help.

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Raced extensively as a kid (against Matt Bounds!!), just bought a 20 year old 16 and am refurbishing it.

Sail # 21888