jib wire

Can the wire inside the jib be replaced? I've been given an older set of sails in reasonably good condition. The only thing I can't see is the jib wire. The thimble on both ends of the wire are sewn to the jib grommets with leather sheathing (rather than shackled). There doesn't seem to be a part number for this wire in the Hobie parts list. Also, if this is a replaceable part, will the thimble feed through the jib? It looks too big and might have been swaged after the wire was installed in the sail. I've used a lot of old sails and never had this wire fail. If it ever did though my mast would be pretty loose.

The jib luff wire can be replaced. I had a kink in mine and replaced it a few weeks ago as the final step in a complete restoration of my '85 H16. You are correct that the thimble will not pass by the grommet.

I carefully measured the existing wire before removing it from the jib sail, being sure to account for the length that makes up the loop on each end. I ordered the correct length of 1/8" 7x7 stainless vinyl coated wire, two sailmakers thimbles (the kind that is fully enclosed without an opening on the narrow end), and four 1/8" nicopress sleeves.

I used bolt cutters to remove the loop from one end of the old wire, being very careful to not cut the sail. It took some work, but little by little was finally able to get the old wire out.

To install the new wire, I swaged a loop on one end with a sailmakers thimble and two nicopress sleeves. The most difficult part was then feeding the new wire into the jib luff. Again, it was little by little at a time. Some good leather gloves and a fresh can of Sailkote dry lubricant helped a lot here. Once it was through, I swaged a loop at the other end, reinstalled the shackle at the top, and the adjustment line at the base.

Not a difficult job, just have patience as it is a fairly slow process moving the wire through the luff. It's good that you are replacing the wire as it seems to be an often overlooked rigging component.

Safe sailing,
Erich

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

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Erich


S/V Sarge
1985 Hobie 16 Signature Model
Sail Number 82009 "Summer Games"

The only swaging I've done is with the bench mounted press at West Marine. It may be little cumbersome to take the jib there and stretch it out on the floor. Plus I gaffed it up once or twice before I got the hang of it. 1/8" cable doesn't really bend into a small radius with the ease one might think it would.

Unless there is a class legality concern, it seems like this would be a great opportunity to try using Dyneema line instead of the wire. It would be much lighter and more flexible. I just bought new sails myself and fight that wire every time I roll the sail. It makes me wonder if Hobie would consider switching to Dyneema or Spectra line in the future.

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Leigh Huff

Yes, would be a class issue mostly. Not sure we want the forestay to be line instead of wire though.

Rolling the jib is simple if you fold the head over at the second batten. Roll tight from that batten towards the foot and when rolled... tuck into the main (already) rolled to hold. Maybe use the downhaul line to hold the bundle together.

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

Thanks Matt. I have seen Dyneema touted (probably by the manufacturer) as possibly being suitable for standing rigging on some keel boats so I thought it might be good for a luff wire. Regarding the rolling, I have always tried to roll the sails from the bottom as I am lowering them to keep everything out of the water and off the ground. But I will definitely try your technique.

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Leigh Huff