Hobie 16 Stock Mainsheet Length Too Long

I just purchased a new mainsheet (New England Salsa) at 40feet in length as suggested by members. I installed it on my 16, but I find it way too long. Most of the sheet lays on the tramp even when slider is fully out and sail is laying on halyards I still have a bunch left. Maybe if I were out on the trapeze I would need it at this point.

I've been sailing with 32' since I got the boat last year and never found the need for more line. What do you all need the extra line for? I find it gets in the way and continually falls in the water.

Are you using the end of it for your main traveler? Or are you using a separate line for that?

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JKK
83 yellow/ white decks Hobie 14 Corando turbo
82 yellow hulls Hobie 16 Cat Fever
84 yellow hulls hobie 16 Yellow Nationals
plus a few extras that I'm restoring

Correct length should be 44 feet.

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Marty
1984 H16 Yellow Nationals Redline, "Yellow Fever"
Lake Martin, 'Bama.

That's really long.

Most racers use 37 ft.

With the traveler all the way out and the main sheet loose enough to let the boom not quite touch the shroud, you should have enough sheet left over to not quite reach the opposite forward corner of the trampoline. The principle behind this is that that is where the skipper sits in light air downwind (all the way forward, on the side opposite the main) and should still be able to reach the main sheet.

The "Hobie Cat Line Guide" states,
Mainsheet line 6:1---- 3/8" Spun Braid x 44'

I recently replaced mine with New England Ropes, Sta-Set.

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Marty
1984 H16 Yellow Nationals Redline, "Yellow Fever"
Lake Martin, 'Bama.

The factory line guide is generous with the line lengths because it's really hard to make a short rope longer. It's also a bit outdated - from 2010.

"Spun braid" is what used to be supplied with new boats. It was Samson Trophy Braid and looks like this:

Double-braid, Dacron core and cover. Pre-'90s boats were supplied with white; post about 1997, boats were supplied with red.
It has a fuzzy, slightly knobby cover that's great on the hands, but it doesn't move through the blocks well. It also soaks up water. A lot of water.
It's relatively inexpensive (3/8" diam is ~$0.90/ft).

For the past few years, new boats have been supplied with Liros Magic Sheet. It has a Dacron cover over a polypropylene core. The diameter has been reduced from 3/8" (9.5 mm) to 8 or 9 mm. Liros line is not easily obtainable in the US (an internet search only turned up international sellers).

Sta-Set is a very inexpensive, all purpose line.

It tends to have a slick cover when new, but the slickness wears off with use. Because it's a Dacron double-braid, it tends to get hard and stiff with extended exposure to the elements (just like Samson Trophy Braid).

All that being said, the replacement line that most racers use is New England Ropes Salsa, 8mm (a bit bigger than 5/16")

It's a single-braid (no core) of Dyneema and spun polyester (Dacron). Very flexible, very soft on the hands and it doesn't soak up a lot of water. It holds up well, but it's more expensive (about $1.50/ft.).

Good info. I chose Sta-Set because it was recommended for use in dinghy sheet systems, price was great, I don't race, and I liked the color. The line I replaced was a bigger diameter and was really slow, I am hoping the new line runs through the blocks a little faster.

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Marty
1984 H16 Yellow Nationals Redline, "Yellow Fever"
Lake Martin, 'Bama.

Thanks for the replies guys. Sorry I didn't see these right away, I had subscription turned off.

I am running through the traveler. I think I will cut mine back to about where it was. Maybe 35'? I don't see a need to have it sheeted fully out, I already have enough sail wear from rubbing the shrouds. Also I don't race. Usually I keep it sheeted in fully so we can fly a hull. If it's fully released it's because we are beached.


44ft is for 6:1. I have the stock 5:1, so 40ft.

The new england salsa is extremely slippery compared to the possibly stock spun braid I had on it. Even the ratchet has trouble gripping it. I'm not a fan right now. I just ran it through the washing machine in hopes it was manufacturing oils.

Any advice on getting some more grip out of it?

I just recently replaced my main sheet with 9mm Magic Sheet (Silver/White) for $1.09/foot. I also made the mistake of ordering 44' and am now trying to figure out how much shorter I want to cut it. You can try shorter lengths without cutting it by moving the knot at the end of the main sheet higher (where it goes thru the eye strap on the rear crossbar) and then bundle the excess line.

You can order Magic Sheet in the US from: Sail & Ski Connection in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 1-800-868-7254

https://sailandskiconnection.com/store/LINE-9MM-MAGIC-SHEET-SILV-WHT-p139573651

They also carry 7mm Magic Sheet.

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Tim
84 H16
82 H16
87 H14T
Tortola Sails: 115222
Blue Prism Sails: 88863
Clearwater, FL

I also ordered the 44' length when I did my main sheet, but I did not use it for the traveler and had not considered it as an option since my boat came with a separate line for that. I have to leave my boat unattended for a week or two at a time so I always take my main sheet off, so that means I'd have to undo the stopping knot for the traveler every time, are there other advantages/disadvantages to using the main sheet for the traveler?

Just an update. I have not cut my line yet, I'm still dialing the perfect length.

The reason for my post is in regards to the grip on the line. The New England Salsa is much better grip now. after a machine wash and 2 time use on the boat I no longer have the line slipping out of my hands. It has started some light fraying which is great for grip, it's also now softer on the hands.