Difficulty Furling Sail in Strong Wind

Hi, Each time I take a ride on my Hobie TI, I learn more and after making mistakes learn what not to do again. I have been out 12 times now in a variety of conditions. The last sail was the most challenging and rewarding. On this day I sailed alone from the front seat. The wind was steady around 15mph, gusting to 20 plus. The waves were four feet and coming close together. The problem came as I attempted to furl the sail to gain more control. For some reason, I continually had trouble sheeting in the furlong line. The resistance was almost too much to handle at the same time I was trying to steer the boat and stay in control. After a great deal of effort, every time I was fighting for control I would let the sail out slightly and the furling line came in a little easier allowing me to reduce the sail size. Eventually, I reduced the sail size to a minimum, and pointed into the wind and used the mirage drive to successfully get back to the launching area. The experience taught me many lessons... the most important was how well the Hobie is built and designed. However, I do need to solve the difficulty in furling the sail....

Can anyone help me figure out what happened and how to find a solution. When I need to furl the sail, I do not want obstacles and difficulty. Has anyone else had this problem ?

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Gary Israel
Gulfport Yacht Club
Gulfport, Florida

You already have the solution. In strong winds you need to ease right off on the sail and then furl in the sail to the desired amount. If the conditions are very tough, it also helps to point directly into the wind to pause the boats forward motion, this takes all the pressure off the sail and furling the sail will then be very easy.

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2021 Dune Hobie Lynx

Hogman's response might be all you need to hear. But having trouble furling might indicate another problem. If any of the screws that hold the steel bracket in place inside the mast receiver are loose, furling and operating the sheet will be rough and I've seen this occur a few times. If that is the case in your instance it certainly won't be helping. Only takes a second to check. If any are loose I suggest removing the screw, cleaning it and putting back with locitie

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au

Thanks for the tip, I will check to see if they are loose. I haven't been out since the strong winds to see how I am doing... It is great to know other sailers help the newer guys get trough some learning curves...

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Gary Israel
Gulfport Yacht Club
Gulfport, Florida

Just incase your still having problems, I have had the same issue on a brand new TI. Having sailed these boats for years I know the sail should just unfurl with ease. The issue I had was the V-Frame assembly under the deck was out of alignment. It had come out of the factory incorrectly set. One side had 13 turns and the other had 9. The effect of which is to put incorrect pressure on the mast step putting it out of alignment. Squaring up the V-frame and resolved the issue.

Plus silicone grease the bearing in it. They are dry when you fist buy them.

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Sth East Qld Hobie Island Club Captain.
https://www.seqic.com.au

Thank You Captain.... this is really valuable information for all of us that own a new TI.... I will have this checked and add the silicone lubrication on the bearings.

Thanks Much .....

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Gary Israel
Gulfport Yacht Club
Gulfport, Florida

If you watch my recently uploaded videos you will see I have had to dump the mail sail right out to get it to unfurl. There is simply too much load on it in strong winds.

The v Frame is set well and everything lubricated but still have to let the sail out.

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Sth East Qld Hobie Island Club Captain.
https://www.seqic.com.au