Sails always get stuck when I'm raising them

Without fail, when I raise my sails, at a certain point it gets stuck and I have to reach up with a pole and push a batten about halfway up my mast. This is not easy to do because I'm usually using my carbon fiber tiller extension and it's just long enough completely extended and of course it doesn't always provide the needed leverage.

I've loosened battens, I've dry lubed the luff track, I've guided the sail into the track manually (instead of pulling it up) and regardless, every time it gets stuck.

Therefore, I'm wondering if there's an issue with my luff track. What should I be looking at to determine if there's a problem with it?

Thanks!
Bloome

Pretty standard on a Hobie 16 due to the luff curve trying to go up a straight track. Creates a lot of friction at the 3/4 up point to full hoist.

FAQ here: https://www.hobie.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)

Yes, I'm aware. However, it seems to happen with my boat more than the other boats on my beach. Also, I've followed the directions of that link and I still have issues.

Measure the gap all the way up the mast first to see if there is a tight spot.

See if another 16 owner will let you try to raise your sail up their mast to see if it's the sail or not. Maybe try their sail up your mast too.

I would give the luff track a serious cleaning too.

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84 14T Redline #67 Blue Hawaii faded but still working!
82 Yellow hull16 '81 Boomer nationals 20.9 on GPS
83 White hull 16 No sails "Clean and Purty Now!"
87 White hull no sails no tramp

When I purchased my used cat, I took the shank end of the proper width drill bit and walked it
the full length of the slot on the mast.
Also, make sure the slot is lined up between the comp tip and were it joins to the aluminum mast section.

Understand that a CompTip track is much narrower.

Even Worlds sailors this last Fall had issues raising sails. We had to show / teach them!

You really need to feed at the bottom and not pull all of the slack out. Feed pull repeat. Pull down a bit of it get wedged at the opening.

Assuming that there is not something really wrong.

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

On my 14t comptip mast I took a dremel and lightly chamfered the inside of where the aluminum and comptip came together as on mine it didn't line up well.

I figured it needed a smooth surface to help guide it through

_________________
84 14T Redline #67 Blue Hawaii faded but still working!
82 Yellow hull16 '81 Boomer nationals 20.9 on GPS
83 White hull 16 No sails "Clean and Purty Now!"
87 White hull no sails no tramp