Questions about my new Wave

This weekend I took delivery of a new Wave! I’ve sailed it twice now and enjoyed it both times (my GPS says my maximum speeds were 14.6 mph on Saturday, with the jib, and 13.6 mph on Monday when it was windier, without the jib). So now with a few hours experience, I’ve got some questions:

1) When I was using the jib I found it to be very nice except for one thing. When tacking, the sheet got caught several times at the base of the mast, causing the effective point of attachment for the jib sheet to be the base of the mast and not the cleat. I think this wouldn’t be a problem if I had a crew but sailing by myself, in relatively heavy air, it was no fun trying to unhook the line so I could properly set the sail. Any thoughts for keeping the sheet free? (I was backwinding the jib most of the time when tacking)

2) Does one really need the knot in the main halyard? I guess it’s nice to know you’ve got the main in the right position but this position really isn’t any different than “all the way upâ€

I'm still learning but here's my 2 cents:

1) Yeah, thats a problem. I put a bungee line from one side of my 18 through the bottom of the diamond wires and down to the other. It's better but now the jib blocks catch on the bungee. Still working on it.

2) Not sure about the Wave but have had problems hooking the ring on the 18. Sailing with just the halyard cleated really makes the downhaul ineffective. Aftermarket ring works better.

3) You can buy a stick on scale for your mast to reference. There's no absolute. Keep notes re: winds relative heading, etc.. More to weather, less away.

_________________
The ox is slow but the earth is patient

It is critical that the sail be held at the top by the hook system. Then the downhaul will not pull the sail down the track and allow the sail top (head) to pull out of the track.

Downhaul to remove horizontal wrinkles. More wind and more sheeting requires more downhaul.

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

There's also the issue of no boom.

If you don't have the main fully extended, what do you do with the slack at the bottom of the sail since there's no boom to wrap it around?

I have found that the WAVE seems to have 2 speeds: fast and faster. The only time I can keep her from moving is to head her directly into the wind, and even then, she doesn't like it and drifts quickly into a close haul or reach and takes off again.

The only peace I get in a stiff wind is jibing.

But don't get me wrong, I am NOT complaining! I love it!