Downhaul reeving

Hello again...

I searched and only found downhaul reeving for an aftermarket setup - adjustable from either side, not the stock setup.

So - question - how does the stock downhaul work ?

I will attach a picture as soon as i get home and we can use that to communicate.

Next question - what is the best setup for aftermarket downhaul adjustment ?
Any pictures (please?) ?

Thanks !

IMO, the best setup for the 18 downhaul is a 6:1 purchase with dual exit blocks that allow the crew to adjust from the trapeze on either side.

If you just like to cruise around in low wind, then this type of system is probably overkill, but if you like to go out in moderate to high wind and get max performance from your boat, you will really appreciate a high power system.

The stock downhaul is a basic 3:1 system. Tie off on the tack grommet, go down to the block on the side of the mast, go back up through the tack grommet and finally down to the cleat on the other side of the mast.

sm

So down from grommet, through the pulley on the bottom of this picture, through the grommet and lock in the black plastic cleat on top of the mast (top as seen in this picture) ?
I was searching posts and it seems that people like the stock Hobie 6:1 downhaul right out of the catalog. I didn't see any mention of the downhaul scale - the stick on graduated sticker that goes on the mast. Does anyone use this ?

They offer a 2:1 outhaul with the downhaul and call it the 'power pak' - i think i'll get that.

The Hobie 6:1 downhaul system listed in the Hobie catalog is for the Hobie 16/14, although it could probably be made to work on the 18. Same goes for the 2:1 outhaul system - it's for a Hobie 16, the 18 already has a 3:1 system that needs no upgrading.

Murrays lists an 18 specific downhaul kit with single exit block and a quick pin arrangement for quickly disconnecting the system from the tack grommet. It's a pretty good system if you want to just buy a kit that's ready to go out of the box.

Personally, I like to be able to adjust the downhaul from either side of the boat. You can make a really nice system with two exit blocks, a Harken double micro block and a triple micro block, and some shackles for probably about the same cost as these turn-key systems.

sm

Sucks to have a boat that's out of production.....

SRM - any chance you could take a picture and post ?

http://www.murrays.com/mm5/merchant.mvc ... gory_Code=

Here's a link to a complete 6:1 system i found in a search of the 18 forum searching "6:1 downhaul" - is this essentially what you made SRM ? Parts list ? Also what size/type of line do you use ? Bear with me - i'm a true beginner !

Coming from the windsurfing world i understand the importance of downhaul/sail shape but am surprised that the shape of the stock Hobie sail can really be changed enough to matter - i trust it's true - just surprised. Last i was windsurfing the hot thing was 'negative outhaul' which is leaving the outhaul a bit loose - i think it was so that the top could twist off more easily but not sure.

Thanks !

I made one of those systems a while ago, but later upgraded to 6:1 with dual exit blocks (that system is a 5:1 with a single exit block). The Murrays system is a great upgrade from the stock system (which is basically crap), but there are a couple things that I improved upon.

First, the connection to the sail is quick with that system, but it takes up a lot of space below the sail. It will bottom out on the gooseneck fitting limiting the amount of downhaul travel. Also, as I said, it is only a single exit block, so it can't be adjusted from the trapeze.

For my system, I have one exit block riveted to each side of the mast. I have a Harken Micro Triple block tied to the tack fitting so it hangs under the sail. It is tied up as tight is it can go to maximize the space below the sail. Last, I have a Harken Micro Double block that is shackled to the mast track below the gooseneck. My downhaul line is about 25 feet long, 1/4" dia (I think). It is fed into the exit block on one side, then up to the triple, down to the double, back up to the triple, back down to the double, up to the triple one last time, and finally down to the exit block on the other side of the mast. Both ends are tied off on the crew's trapeze bungee on either side of the boat so they can be adjusted on the fly.

Believe it or not, the downhaul makes a significant difference on these boats. The comptip really makes the top of the mast bendy and allows the upper section of the sail to flatten and twist off when the downhaul is cranked. If your sail is blown out, it may not be as effective.

sm

when I upgraded my jib blocks, I took the OEM blocks and updated the downhaul in this manner:

I tied off the two old blocks to the mainsail tack grommet
I added another cheek block to the mast opposite the existing one.
So the line starts from the sail grommet, down through the first cheek block, up thru a tack block, down through the second cheek block, up through the second tack block, then down through the wedge cleat.

it is now a 5:1 system and cost me only a new harken cheek block and new downhaul line. I really do not need a double ended system.

_________________
Chris
'88 H18SE Arís

There are many ways to skin this cat. For recreational sailing, I agree, a two-sided system may be overkill (or it may not depending on how you like to sail). But the original poster asked about 'the best' aftermarket system. In my opinion, the best aftermarket systems use high quality low friction blocks and are adjustable from virtually any position on the boat.

Murrays also sells (as do other retailers I'm sure) a piece from Harken that's kind of cool. It incorporates both exit blocks and a single cheek block all into one unit.

Going back to a previous question about the downhaul scale. I had one on my boat for about 15 years and pretty much never used it up until this year when my crew (girlfriend) was constantly pissed at me because I would always say "give me a little more downhaul". "Well how the hell much is that?" So now we talk in increments. Either give me another inch or pull it down to number 5. So the scales work pretty well if you you're trying to communicate a quantitative amount to someone else.

sm

some of us in the racing circut use a cascading 8:1 system... adjustable from both sides, easy to attach. it takes 5 micro blocks (singles) , a swivel cleat on either side of the mast and 2 jam cleats.
if you want more information, email me direct and i can send you a word doc that describes it.

paul