Hobie 18SX

I have purchased a 2001 hobie sx, Out for my 1st test drive on an exremely windy day as we were coming downwind when we tried to move the sail accross to the leeward side, and we ripped the jib sail, where and who do I buy one from, looking for advice from someone who may know. The sailing was amazing, very fast and no upsets allthough we did come close.

Marty in Saskatchewan

The actual sail you ripped is not available any longer. The sail cloth used on the SX proved to not last very long. I would suggest a nice dacron or pentax jib to replace it. I personally like to do business with Chip at Whirlwind Sails.

Ditto opinion on Whirlwind Sails!

And when you do order a new jib be sure to stress that the sail you want is for a Hobie 18SX, which is a little longer in the luff than a standard 18.

Should I replace that sail with Mylar, dacron or pentex? The main is Mylar


Marty

NOT mylar!

What is the difference between pentex and dacron, My 16 is dacron and it of course has stood the test of time. Pentex is quite a bit more money?

Marty

Disclaimer: I'm not a sail expert; ask a sail maker to be sure about what you read here.

Pentex is stiffer than dacron so it holds its shape better over time, and sail shape is important to performance, but unfortunately for we Hobie sailors pentex comes in a very small number of colors. So if you're interested in getting more bang for your buck go with pentex, but if you want to look good with a larger color selection, save a buck, and don't expect to put too much time or stress on the sails but still get very good performance then go with dacron.

Ordered the Dacron in blue from Chip at Whirlwind, he will have one out to me next week which will be amazing, with a great price. Thanks for all of your help in making the right decision.


Marty

How many colors do you need? I've seen smoke, silver(which does look alot like smoke), white, blue, and red. and that lime green/yellow that Uhlman used on the Fox, Tiger, FXone.

When pentex comes in colors as bright as dacron (I'll give you the hot new red on the Wild Cat), and can be mixed and (mis)matched like dacron I'll be happy.

Smoke sails can barely be seen on the water, white is for everyone else, the "blue" I've seen is more a lighter shade of smoke. The green/yellow combo is nice and obnoxious but also reminds me of the 80's dayglo colors.

Ok,

My experience of Pentex vs Racing Dacron .....

I have besides my H18 ... a P19 which when I needed new sails for I upgraded to a set of MX sails made in Pentex from Randy Smythe. Liked the sails alot and they sailed well .... but on one breezy day my 2yr old jib went from a servicable (but slightly tired) jib to a paint-tarp w/ pinholes all over it. I was amazed at how fast the material de-graded: here this morning ... done by afternoon!!!!

I ordered my replacement jib made w/ "Racing Dacron" ... (same material used on Tornado jibs....)

So while the Pentex jib was marginally (supposely) faster when new ..... when it was done ... it was really done and the transition is quick ....

The "Racing Dacron" jib is slightly slowwer (supposely) but lasts longer and is more "crew forgiving" as it doesn't de-grade as fast especially when flogged .....

So if you are really good and are at the front of the fleet w/ exceptional crew ... I would contemplate a "Pentex" jib.

But if you are like me ... a mid-fleeter and race w/ different crew all the time ... you'll never know the difference .... the "Racing Dacron" will be just fine and will give you longer service life ....

The biggest issue is .... the sailmaker/loft!!!!

_________________
HarryMurphey
H-18 mag/ #9458
Fleet 54 Div 11

Very good coment Harry. I am happy I went with the dacron!