Aussie Jib for older boat

I’ve read about some extra benefits about the Aussie Jib halyard and am considering adding it to my older 16 (1979). I’m not entirely clear on adding this to an older boat, especially when looking at the Hobie Wire guide and the differences in pigtail and forestay lengths. Few questions hopefully can be answered by the experts.

I’ve read where some people felt they needed to shorten the forestay on an older boat, they were having issues with the mast laying too far aft before tightening the halyard.
Is this common?

Newer boats with the “Aussie” system standard have a block at the front of the mast, then another cheek block set higher on the side of the mast along with a cam cleat and finally a tie off cleat. Seems that the jib might be more prone to get caught on the halyard with this configuration?

Is all this needed? Does having the halyard down the front of the mast as opposed to using the existing side cheek block and cleat make a difference?

I upgraded an older boat to have an aussie style halyard and highly recommend it. If you're upgrading the halyard / forestay you mise well replace the side stays and bridles (bow tips to bottom of forestay). They do ware with age. I got everything from murrays.com . I told them what year boat I had and they made a whole set that I could swap in and would be good to go. If memory serves me right I think the issue you may have read about comes from adding the aussie halyard, but not changing the bridles which their length got a small tweak at one point.

Also, I have yet to add the cam cleat. I am Still just using the cheek block and that was already on my mast and the cleat. Not really sure what the other stuff adds (would be happy if someone chimed in and told me), but I get by without issue. I have a few of the jib battens with the hinge and my jib only ever gets caught on the mast in light wind.

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Catamaran Racing Association of Michigan - Marketing Officer
USF18 - Social Media Manager

2010 NACRA Infusion
2004 F18 Hobie Tiger - SOLD
Hobie 16 - BREAKPOINT - SOLD

I recently purchased the Aussie Jib Halyard but have not installed it yet. I didn't even consider changes in wire lengths. I'm interested as well if others have run into any issues. Anyone install on an older boat with no other changes?

The Aussie halyard kits come with a new forestay that replaces the old upper and lower forestays. I can't imagine how you'd install the Aussie halyard otherwise.

Newer boats do have the first cheek block on the front of the mast, but that is a separate issue from the second cheek block, cam cleat, and horn cleat on the side of the mast. I assume that moving the cheek block to the front was to keep the mast compression forces more in line with the longer (fore-aft) axis of the mast cross-section. This, along with the Aussie halyard reduces the side to side mast bending and improves mast rotation.

The second cheek block, cam cleat, and horn cleat on the side of the mast are a separate kit that allows one to adjust jib halyard (and therefore overall rig) tension on the water which can be helpful for upwind vs. downwind, wind speed variation, etc.

I have the first cheek block on the front and the Aussie halyard, but I do not have the halyard adjustment system. When I first saw that block on the front, I thought it would be more prone to jib hang-ups, too, but I really can't tell any difference in that regard.

Personally, I wouldn't spend the funds for these kind of upgrades on an old boat.....at least until after I already had EPOs, the 6:1 mainsheet system, the jib traveler control system, and a 6:1 downhaul.

Disclaimer: Before you take my advice on where to spend your money, please consider the source......my H16 and accessories are worth more than my four motor vehicles combined!!!!

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Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16

Also interested in upgrading old Hobie to an aussie system. So far I only have the blocks. Need to buy the short forestay. Murray's shows three different parts:

Aussie Pigtail Assembly: Code: 02-3300-00


H16 Upper Forestay 5/32" Bare Code: 02-0235-00


and
H16 Forestay with Pigtail Aussie 1/8" Code: 02-0244-02A


If I already have the forestay, can I just get the H16 Upper Forestay?
Any ideas?

Thanks!