H18 sail on H18SX?

Has anyone used a standard 18 sail on the SX? Is it just a matter of lowering the mast fork for the shorter sail? In a previous forum cutting the mast down was rejected as a viable solution. I want to order the much less expensive standard 18 sails for this boat and have no plans of racing.

Discussed here: http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewt ... highlight=

Thanks admiral Skipshot. I saw this thread but it doesn't go beyond conjecture. I was hoping someone has actually tried this? Did the bolt rope hold in the mast track? Were there issues with mast flex and the sail head? It's basically a standard reef which is usual for big boats but relatively unheard of for beach cats? I was imagining re - attaching the mast hook 1.5' higher to hang the sail with proper boom angle and downhaul. Or how about a custom halyard with a longer wire? Given the pricing on the SX sails I have to believe this issue has been hurdled.

First thing you might try would be to see if you can find a used mast in your area. If you find a decent one, it may save you a lot of hassle, plus you'd have the option using either rig.

I think the standard sail would probably run ok on the SX mast. Especially if you're just fun sailing. The problem is going to be the halyard hook. You can't simply mount the hook lower on the mast. The rivets for the halyard hook are backed up by the aluminum mast head cap. If you simply install the hook into the fiberglass comptip, it will probably just pull out.

You could make a wire extension for the halyard ring, but I think you might have a problem getting the ring to engage/disengage the hook. Without the head of the sail holding the hook steady, the ring will probably just rotate freely. If you make the extension out of metal bar, it would probably keep the ring from rotating.

The other thing is the bolt rope may want to pull out of the plastic luff track. Especially since it's not held close by the halyard hook. You would probably have to move the aluminum luff track section to the area of the sail head. I.e. pop off the plastic comptip track, cut off a 1-1/2ft section, slide down the aluminum section and then install the cut-off plastic section above the aluminum.

You could always chop your existing mast down, but it will be a bit of work and then you're stuck using standard sails and you'll have to replace your shrouds etc..

Also, even if you get a standard sail, will your existing battens work? Sometimes something seems like a simple solution but becomes complex when you get into it and you're better off just forking out the $$ for the SX sail.

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What he said. You may save a couple hundred bucks buying used 18 sails, but making them fit on an 18SX will eat up the saved money in time and materials.

And buying a used 18 mast and sails together may cost about as much as new 18SX sails, not to mention having to store two masts or trying to dispose of the 18SX mast. Look around and see what you find, but don't forget the simplest solution of buying new sails.

Don't forget that cutting or replaceing the mast will also require the replacement of the running rigging to the shorter lengths. If I may be so bold, the SX is a rare breed, cutting the mast would be a sin as they are uncommon.

Hmmm Thanks for helping me think this through. I'm abandoning the idea of 18 sails on the SX for all the reasons above. I am looking around now for new and used sails for the SX. I don't think mylar sails will be that durable. They seem to have a history of delaminating? And are less UV tolerant then dacron. So I guess that leaves me looking for a sailmaker. I've inquired of Whirlwind, Ullman, Super Sails, Masthead, Calvert and Ogletree.

Find yourself some used Tiger rags. They will fit your mast and with a slight alteration of the head attach perfectly. The Tiger sail is Pentex, a much better material. You will need to improve downhaul to control the squaretop. I have converted my '82 18 to F18 specs except for the curved crossbar. Tiger main, jib, spin and self-tacker for the jib. The boat performs incredibly well with this set-up. Not to mention how cool and updated it looks.

That sounds like a great idea. I have to believe there are a bunch of slightly used tiger sails from serious racers out there somewhere. Any ideas?

What about a full hoist for the shorter 18 sail onto the existing SX halyard hook?

This solves all the problems mentioned previously. The only problem would be a higher boom angle? I think a higher boom might be better for taking a lot of people and making the boat more comfortable. (I really like the high open feel of the Getaway sail.) Or will it knock my riders off the wings and distort the sail? It would, in effect, shorten the length of the boom.

I think I could also raise the gooseneck about a foot without interfering with the rotation arm or the sail feed so that the change in boom angle would only be a 6" difference.

Two possible issues come to mind. First, the boom may be to short when raked at that extreme angle. Remember we are talking an 18 inch differnece in the luff of the two sails. Second, missing the bottom part of the sail you are going to throw the balance off causing the boat to be more tipsy.

Used Tiger sails are readily available. I paid 500 for the main and 200 for a jib. Spin was 300, snuffer and pole 150. Post in the F18 area here and on Catsailor.com. The Tiger guys have all gone to the STX main so an ST main should be easy to find. I saw one for sale on thebeachcats.com not too long ago, an alter cup sail if not mistaken. Good luck, forget about using a 18 sail on the SX it just won't work. I just sold a mast to a guy doing this for racing. He has invested alot of money to make the boat slower. Convert and go play with the F18s'.

Sounds like a kool set up,but it is still a H18 and unless you like sailing from behind I cant see it competing with more modern F18s. Have you sailed against stock H18s? We have five in Wrightsville Beach anytime your welcome to see if you can smoke us

Now thats a challenge I can't resist. 5 18s' for lunch. I assume these are standard 18s and not SX's. I have run against standards and SX's. Upwind they are close to even, 18 vs Tiger close upwind as well. On a reach my boat is quicker, downwind my boat will leave you sitting. I sail a light '82 18, currently running Tiger ST main, Tiger jib on self-tacker and Tiger chute with endpole snuffer. This boat has never had the keels reglassed but will after this season. Do you guys come to any of the races in the S.E.? Hatteras regatta in August, Camp Don Lee in Sept. The biggest difference I have found between my boat and F18s is the daggers. F18s actually lift to weather on the boards, H18 doesn't. Running bouys this is a huge disadvantage, distance racing not so much. I am a beach sailor and recreational racer, only race 2-3 times a year. Don't get to Wrightsville often except to surf, but in Myrtle almost every weekend.

We dont do any racing at all except with ourselves every Friday. Three of us will be going to NYC for the Statue of Liberty Race. Will be our first official race and an looking foward to it. I understand there is more stuff local but I am involved in so many things I dont know if I would ever have the time to trailer around , but I will see how this racing thing goes.(still undecided which boat I will use) Just regular 18s here and only singlehanding allowed. I try to avoid Myrtle at all costs, but maybe we can try to get together sometime. All of our boats our on the South end in front of the Blockade Runner. BTW surf has been chest to head high.