Main Sail Not Locking in.

I'm brand new to sailing. I've spent the last four weeks reading and watching videos, and fixing up a used H16. Last weekend, I finally got to sail, or at least attempt it. My biggest problem in setting up so far has been getting the swage on the main to come completely around the head and lock in. I've pulled so hard that I've nearly submerged the hulls. I'm 6'3, 255 and fairly strong, so I don't think it's not having the strength. Any help would be appreciated. I plan to try sailing all next week in Pamlico Sound and would like to get a handle on this before heading out.


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There are a couple of things that could cause the problem. Make sure the sail isn't hanging up in the track. There are dry lubricants that can be used on it. If you rig the main sheet before raising the sail, make sure to pull some line through the blocks so there is slack. You can do that by lifting the boom. I have tried to raise the sail and couldn't get it hooked until I pulled some slack in the main sheet. If all else fails, you can lay the boat over on the beach, with help, and probably be able to see what is wrong.

I don't know if there is a difference in the spacing of the slug on the main halyard between the old mast top and the comptip mast but someone on the forum should know. The old mast has a single pulley while the comptip uses a double pulley. What year is your boat and is the top of the mast a single or double pulley?

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Howard

I find it best to get out in front of the boat when trying to get the sail up the last 12" and hooked. You just get better leverage.

Halyard FAQ: "Sails - Hoisting Main Sails (Plus: Locking Halyards)"

http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=371

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I would suggest you try it with the mast down and without sail before you set up to see if the slugs are in the right spot to engage with the fork on the mast.... this should only take 30 seconds.

On my boat someone had aparently shortened the wire so the slugs ended up in the wrong spots and you could not pull the halyard far enough to engage... I ended up adding another slug

When I got home that day, I was successful in raising the sail in the horizontal position as that was a concern. So my question is, if the boat is on the water, how do I get out in front of it?

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By the way, thanks Matt. I've learned a lot here and see you're the expert. I'll check out your link

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I had similar issues with my H16 (just got it a few weeks ago) in my case it was a combination of problems:

- The battens were too tight and forcing the batten protectors / pockets into the mast which makes raising it extremely difficult. Try slacking the battens and raising it.

- The older style mast (no comptip) has a single sheave instead of a double, and is supposedly a little more difficult. If you take a look at the mast when it's down, you can pull the cable through and see how it all works which makes doing it up in the air easier.

- If you're launching at a dock, tie up the boat about 8-10ft before the end, turn the mast towards the dock and you can raise the main whilst being far enough in front of it to clear the "fork". To get more leverage, wrap under your butt and sit down into it as you're raising the main - it should come through and allow you to walk it forward and get it hooked.

Good luck.

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1978 H16 - "Banana Split"
2004 Hobie Bravo - "Cheap Thrills" [Sold]

I ended up removing the mast head, inspecting and resealing the plug (which was nearly gone) and in the process took a file to the top of the luff track and flared it at the end. I did the same thing at the opening of the head. My first attempt was successful. Thanks for all the input thus far. I've got to try setting the main sail at the dock now. Lately with all the boat traffic at the ramp, I sail off under jib, run up to a nearby beach and set the main. I've found the power boat guys are not too patient with me setting my main up while they wait. Although I did thank a pair of them for helping me get my boat back on the trailer when the still upright mast hit a tree limb 25 feet off the ground. Man, I'm glad my wife is a slow, cautious driver. I'd have been twenty yards from a Hobie sitting on its hulls in a gravel parking lot if I was driving.

Not really advisable, and not sure if anybody else does this. What about completing rigging the boat before you back it in the water? Keeping the hulls strapped down to the trailer of course until its in the water.

I wouldn't advise raising the sail before launching. If there is enough wind to sail, it could turn the boat over including the trailer. I have seen that happen with a small monohull. If you can get to a beach, that is the best place to raise the sail. Is it possible to launch at the beach? Where are you sailing? With a lot of power boat traffic, you might want to look for a different launch area anyway. I changed lakes when Lake Norman in NC got too dangerous for sailing. I had to travel further but it was worth it.

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Howard

I agree about NOT raising the main prior to launch. Surely, a cross wind would tip the cat and twist the trailer tongue. Both out of commission). I was in Beaufort, NC and launched into Taylor Creek. Quite an education with a ripping current and perpendicular wind, plus moored boats and power boats. Lesson one... Never again. Lesson two... Same. While my wife loved the day, I was exhausted traversing moving and anchored boats. (I was the only sailor, guess that should have been a sign). I'm in Oriental, NC today through Friday and hope to get a bit of wind before heading back to central PA.

I have the same problem but usually if I step out to the end of the hull around the bridle wire I can get the swage around the mast head and able to lock but if I am standing next to the mast pulling straight down I cant. However I usually raise the mast on the trailer. I mostly sail solo and I will rig everything, leave sheets very loose, with one strap over the tramp connected to the trailer. Ill back down into the water then remove the strap and shove the cat into the water and find a place to tie the boat while I go park, there isn't much land where I normally go to pull my boat up on shore with trees and rocks, and especially this year with all the rain we have had and higher water levels. Probably not the best thing, like mentioned, but it works for me but I haven't been sailing on super windy days either. I don't have much ramp traffic cause I usually go through the week so I don't have the ramp issue. Also when it gets tough, that last foot or so walk into the mast and take your hands, clamp the main, and try and inch it up a little then step out front and pull on the halyard again. sometimes ive found it just needs a little slack.

Near exact description on how to do it. You can not pull the swage through the fork. You need to pull out and down... Hold tension, then come in to the mast, on center, and release directly under the fork.

You only need to pull out away from the mast about 4 feet.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

The issue for me, however, is trying to raise the main while on the water. Forget about putting the main up on the trailer, in high winds, I'm afraid of twisting my trailer tongue as I'm convinced a gust will roll the cat and the trailer over. There's no way I can stand on the end of the hull while on the water. With my weight, I'll bet I can pitch pole the thing standing still. On my next attempt, I'm going to try to place the bow into the dock. I wish I had a beach, but I don't have that luxury. So far, I've been successful in raising it while the bows are on shore, but I have to sail on the jib to reach a nearby shore. I'd love to hear how someone raises the main while docked.