Getting Wired

I just got a 1977 Hobie 16 and last season rigged it with forestay and mast too upright. Noticed other Hobies at beach I visited with Mast leaning back. What is proper pitch and is my forestay too short? I noticed one boat with two 10 hole adjusters hooked to get proper length. I assume the newer ones are longer huh?
Thanks,
John

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MAN... DO I LOVE THIS HOBIE CAT!!!

Yes, newer boats are set up for more mast rake.

The basics for mast rake is to adjust as far back as possible. This is limited by the mainsheet block system you have. You must be able to sheet the sail tightly, so rake back and test the sheeting. You should be touching the blocks together or almost... when fully sheeted.

Rake helps the boat point into the wind / go to weather better. It also helps to raise the bows for less pitch pole potential.

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

Thanks for the quick response!! Man I love this site!!! Gotta hand it to you for this. I only got the original tattered manual with the boat last year and no other Hobies on this little lake in NC so I had to go it alone. First sail I did not know the rudders had to be locked in and the cam was frozen locked down so I could not lock them in. Hurricane Ike was off our coast so instructions be da_____, my wife and I went for it... Don't know if that was a good idea for her first time on a Hobie and my third ride but I live for the adrenalin and man was it pumping. (our lake is western nc), But the blow was great and the pull on the rudder handle was incredible! I am sure glad it was not normal as two hours of that was unreal. I then found this site and surfed for hours which actually taught me nearly everything I needed to know. This site, the boats and these folks really ROCK and I want to thank everyone that makes this possible!!! All I can say is YEEEEHAAAAA!!!!! Keep it real!!!
Still learning,
John

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MAN... DO I LOVE THIS HOBIE CAT!!!

I have an 87 16'. My side shrouds are down in the bottom hole of the adjuster, but my main blocks don't come close to touching. Anything to suggest in this situation?

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Alfred
'87 H16 Sail 89907
If you aren't sailing on the edge, you're taking up too much room.

If you have an older 16 you may not have the lower profile blocks. I think it is 6 to 1 so you should have three side by side on the top and the same on the bottom with a cleat. Put the mast back as far as it will go. You willl either run out of front adjustment or shroud adjustment. Then sheet in the main. If you can easy pull the main to where the blocks are touching or very close to it then you are too far back. You have to be able to put some leech tension on the main. Keep going forward until this is the case. That will be as far back as you can possible rake and that is how a 16 is sailed. Your rudders also become your daggerboards...kind of.

Dan

This is why newer shrouds are shorter. You may also need a longer forestay or add an extra 10 hole adjuster or pigtail to lengthen the existing forestay.

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

I do have a 6:1 block.
Matt,
Thanks for the explaination. I will have to look at new shrouds for next season.

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Alfred
'87 H16 Sail 89907
If you aren't sailing on the edge, you're taking up too much room.