Back to the beach questions?

Hey everyone I hope to get my new to me H18 to the beach this weekend I went to the dark side (nacra 5.5) but now Im back. Can anyone tell me if I need a mast bearing for the H18 like my H16 used?
I have not taken this beast to the surf yet but Im hoping it take it like my old H16 and punches right thru it!! Anything I need to know about the H18 before I hit the surf? Besides remembering to pull my the dagger boards?
I really loved sailing my H16 so my fingers are crossed on the H18 it was only $800 so I could not pass up the chance to try one. I tested the boat once in the bay and it was all good now its time to take it home to the surf!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41605241@N ... 205337502/

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Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

Go read the thread here currently on this forum ..."mast base" ... please read my "trick" .... it will answer your question.

Do you have the "origonal" H18 Rudder system (1978-86(?)) or the newer "upgraded" rudder system (1986(?) ==>) ... that is identical to the H17 rudder system ....???? The older "origonal" rudder system does not like to release, especially when under load or when sand/grit/dirt is in the mechanism ... just breaks the lowwer casting (a significant amount/percentage of the time) ... now you can try to "grease" the latching assembly or remember to pre-release/unlock the rudders .... but in a sandy enviorment like a "Gulf of Mexico" beach .... you maybe asking for trouble ...

Most of us "sandy beach/salt water sailors" have upgraded to the newer rudder system .... there have been many posts here about this issue and the various solutions ....

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

The rudder system was the first thing I changed you need a solid system in the surf and the N5.5 sucked so I made sure to replace it. I also have epos and the H20 connection kit.

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Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

That's great .....

There used to be a system of using bungie cord to help pull down the rudderblades ... it involved plastic or SS discs/washers that mounted on the bolt that holds the rudderblade to the lowwer casting. I found a set of metal ones yrs ago that I rig when I'm "surf" sailing .... make a loop of bungie cord ... it should run over the upper rudder casting .... down each side of the rudder around (in front of and under) the washer/disc at the bolt location .... and then aft around the trailing edge of the rudderblade ....

When the rudder is un-locked or "kicks" ... this system will hold the blade down but allow the blade to still "kick up" when needed .... great for shallow water/sandbar/backbay sailing .... but ....

The story I heard yrs ago involved sailing in the "Gulf" ..... and "Texas Terrors" ... I think they are some sort of "BIG" Jelly Fish ....

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

you will need a mast bearing. it is just opposite of the 16. the bearing is "the ball" and the mast is "the socket" just opposite of the 16 where you needed a disk. "the ball" bolts on and is not lost when you forget about it. "hopefully"

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eric, sail #205

Thats right I replaced that ball already. I also have 7:1 or 8:1 ratchmatic blocks cannot remember & I have been using that New England Salsa line but I miss the line that came on my old H16 it was that red line that came from Hobie I think anyone know what type and size that was?

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Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

Sampson Trophy Braid - 5/16" or 3/8" (smaller runs through blocks better, but is harder on the hands)

There's not much difference between sailing an 18 through the surf vs a 16. In some ways it's a little easier since pitchpoling is less of a concern. The daggerboards are probably the main issue. If you have a sideshore or onshore launch, you need to get the boards down at least about 1/2 way as soon as possible, otherwise the boat will just slip sideways making maneuvering through the waves difficult. Also, don't be tempted to launch with the jib furled up. You'll want it out in most conditions to increase maneuverability and prevent stalling in the waves.

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The wind tends to come straigh across the beach from the S, SE so on my 16 it was pretty easy to get out just sheet the jib in and leave the main pretty loose till you pass the surf. There are 3 sandbars on the way out each throw a bigger wave as you go then its just swells which are a blast to fly over. Last season we sailed in some big surf it was like a maze getting back without getting broached it surprises how diffrent the gulf can be from day to day and sometimes hour to hour. Its so much more fun then sailing in the bay imho but sometimes the price of gulf sailing is a dagger or rudder and once a boat (long story!) I hope the H18 lives up to its rep!!

Thanks Matt for the line info.

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Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

Remember that the sails are the "engine" ... and will generate much more power then you can by pushing ...

Hold the boat in shallow water .... turn the boat "off" the wind ... sheet in the sails and "POWER UP" ... try and hold the boat for a few seconds ... then push like h-ll and jump on ... try to head straight into the waves ... as you pass over the wave crest "foot-off" to develope more speed/power ... head up into the next wave ... repeat until you are through the "surf-break" .....

... There is nothing like "punching out" through breaking surf .... taking a H18 airbornnnnnnnn ...... Waaaaaa Hooooooooo ..........

The rudder bungie system I discribed above will keep your rudders down as much as possible ... a little hard on the blade tips from dragging on the sand but it helps w/ steerage ....

SRM is quite correct on the daggerboards also .... any fin/"scag", ie: partial daggerboard is very helpful .....

To come in, study the waves for a large "set" ... let them pass and ride the back of the last one in ..... of course daggerboards are already up .... the rudders if correctly tuned/working will just "kick-up" .... be ready for "heavy" steering when they do ... you may need both hands on the tiller ....

SPEED ===> POWER ====> Safety

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

Harry thats pretty much my procedure I did learn one more thing on my N5.5 if you have your main sheeted in too hard when the rudders kick up the weather helm is so intense I bent the crossbar on my Nacra. I never had that happen on my H16.

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Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

Track these guys down for advice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74JyDmAu9Zw

I loaded the boat up and noticed my mast was not straight and since so many people were bringing boat I just left the H18 home and need to work on my diamond wires.

Kinda glad I did too the beach held a challenge to all willing to attempt it yesterday. The wind was blowing straight at the shore @ maybe 6 knots but the surf was 4-5 pretty average but with one difference the wave were coming in tight set back to back not much time to fall off and gain speed before the next wave was hitting you. I have been going to the same spot for over 2 years and I have never had so much trouble getting out past the breakers.

I was crewing on a Supercat 17 (beast!) and right at the third sandbar the mainsail dropped and the rudder kicked so we only had the jib with no helm and no main the Sea did what I though was close to impossible it kicked up a huge wave that thru the SC17 like it was a kayak we flipped right in the surf. With the speed of a nascar pit crew we righted the boat and got a rudder down turned to the beach and caught a big wave that we surfed all the way in. I was amazing and so much fun no one was hurt the boat was fine and we got the main back up and took off again. Even the H16 sailor was having hell getting thru it. I think I would have been in trouble on the H18 since I could not of put my boards down till we passed the surf.

_________________
Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing