Mainsail on a 16ft Cat?

What are the grommented holes for on towards the bottom of the sail? The gromments are about 2ft or so off the boom.
Thanks
Bigrooster

Sorry I meant to say what are the gromments towards the bottom of the sail for?

reefing the sail

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Greg Thomas
Hobie Factory Team

I'd first sail jibless, before reefing. Reefing with the jib puts a larger percentage of the power forward. From about 70/30 to more like 60/40 (main to jib ratio).

Yea, but reefing lowers the CE of the sailplan which is just as important if not more so. Power up high is what causes the boat to want to heel and pitchpole. Plus the boat will be much easier to tack in high wind with a jib. In any case, the balance of the boat is likely to be somewhat out of whack, so it's probably a toss up as to which is better.

sm

In late 1985, Hobie came out with the comptip mast for safety from electric lines and did away with the reef points, so most people don't have those reef grommets. The reason they did away with them is that it required a longer wire on the main halyard with 2 "slugs". That longer wire defeated the purpose of the comptip by providing an electrical path from the top of the mast. My '85 boat has the longer wire halyard and the original sail had the reef points. I did reef once or twice but found it to be a waste of time. I own a monohull which has 2 reef points and I frequently use the first one so I know the difference. The monohull is a Cape Cod catboat with a very large mainsail (no jib). One effect of reefing is to move the center of effort forward causing a weather helm reduction or even causing a lee helm.

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Howard

Ever try to tack a H16 without a jib? Difficult enough with a jib, especially in big winds.

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Greg Thomas
Hobie Factory Team

When I was new to Hobie sailing back in the late 80's I tried to sail on a small local lake without the jib. It turned into a disaster. I lost control, and pointing ability and ended up in the reeds. I'd reef it first for sure.

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How do you light the sail?

I have sailed my 16 reefed and she handled fine, definitely better than without the jib and cant say I noticed any lee helm. Course it was windy so didnt have time to take note!! I think it does help to keep things under control, it has to!! but I was surprised at how powerful the beast was even reefed