Square top sails

What are the thoughts on addind square top sails to a H16?
I know you can't race but I beach ride. Looking at getting some Pentex square tops made. Curious about opinions from the group.

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"Experience is what you get, right after you needed it"
2005 Tiger #1863
1983 Boston Whaler SuperCat 17

Just my opinion here as an ex-H16 sailor.

With out proper downhaul, pre-bend, mast rotation or spreaders supporting the sail you can't control the sail the way you can with those things.


I have a question for the H16 crowd though, how much performance could be gained from using the same sail design, but from a better material?

Karl's right about the sail controls. Without those, you wouldn't be able to utilize the square-top properly.

20 years ago, Hobie tried making Mylar sails for the 16. The jibs were a complete failure - they didn't stand up to the abrasion of tacking across the mast and delaminated very quickly. The mains were better than the jibs, but racers soon found out they were slower, so they never really caught on.

For some weird reason, the 16 likes its Dacron sails. The sails that Hobie makes now are so much better than the ones of just 15 years ago that there's no comparison. They hold up much better.

Considered this option for a few years. Based on the results of my research, decided to scrap this plan for the reasons indicated by Karl & Matt. The only advantage that you might acquire would be in low winds and that advantage wasn't enough to substantiate (to me) the expense.

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Happy Sailing,

David

Here's a boat for sale with Mylar:

http://www.thebeachcats.com/classifieds ... 0344/cat/1

I guess the age is just right for those sails. Damn, hard to believe that was 20 years ago.

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

Instead of spending money on a squaretop that would have provided very little in the form of increased performance, I decided to go with a "Spi."

_________________

Happy Sailing,

David

Wait......

my sister-in-law works for North Sails and she said they didnt make a Hobie 16 sail

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1981 Hobie 16
1982 Hobie 14 turbo (sold)
1996 SeaDoo GTI
1999 Hunter 340

A lot of lofts won't build Hobie Sails due to the number of panels and batten pockets. I got a quote from a well known loft one time and I would have had to charge $2000 for it. They make $$ on big boat sails, oftentimes they're less complex.

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Sail Revolution
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and at what, $1300 for a new Hobie main might as well go with that

ps- check your email Jeremy!

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1981 Hobie 16
1982 Hobie 14 turbo (sold)
1996 SeaDoo GTI
1999 Hunter 340

Nope, they didn't make the sail but they did put in the panoramic windows when I first bought them. These are not the sails that came with the boat. But I can tell you one thing about most lofts. Jeremy is right . . . . they will make anything if there's enough money involved.

_________________

Happy Sailing,

David

On the subject of Spins, what are the thoughts? I would think it would increase the forward pull and thus increase the tendency to pitch-pole. Is that the case or do they increase lift? Are they a worthwhile investment?
Thanks in advance

_________________
"Experience is what you get, right after you needed it"
2005 Tiger #1863
1983 Boston Whaler SuperCat 17

Contrary to popular opinion, the spi actually decreases the propensity for the H16 to pitchpole (providing the pole length is at recommended length). I think that perception is what keeps a lot of H16 owners in the States from trying it. However, it is not class legal in the U.S. but if you're lookin for a casual thrill ride, a spi is the way to go.

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Happy Sailing,

David