Regular 14 to Turbo Conversion

I am in the process of buying a regular Hobie 14 Because I am 16 years old and only weigh 150 lbs, I will probably need to install a trap if I am going to go out in any kind of rough weather. What do I need to get to do this conversion? I dont care to much about the jib, at least not immediately.
Thanks
Jon

Trapeze conversion is easy - if the boat already has a dolphin striker.

If not, you'll need the after-market dolphin striker (you can adapt one from a H-17 if you're handy).

Then just get the wires, bungees, blocks, handles and adustment line w/rope locks.

Can I use any trapeze system, or does it have to be 14 specific? Where can I purchase a dolphin striker? Where can I purchase the rest of the system? I am very new to hobies. Is it possible to see pics of an installed dolphin striker? Thanks so much for the help.

The best place to start is with a good Hobie dealer.

Where are you?

Centeral MA

Since you live in kind of an out-of-the way location, you have a couple of options.

Megrews Boats in Providence, RI is the closest dealer.
5211 OLD POST ROAD
CHARLESTOWN, RI 02813
Phone: 1-401-322-1150
E-mail: [email protected]

They're pretty good and hopefully can help you out.

Order a copy of the Hobie Catalog from the www.hobiecat.com site.
The dolphin striker is part #80200010 - $83.35
The trap wire kit is part #1476B - $48.20

The Turbo conversion kit will set you back nearly $1000 including the sail, bridles, furler, and jib sheet equipment. You might do better to look on eBay if you're just buying it to fool around with.

The OEM dolphin striker is the post that sticks down from the mast step and the metal rod that goes out to the front corner castings:


Here's a photo of the aftermarket dolphin striker:


It rivets on below the mast and has cables that run out to the corner castings. It acts like a truss to keep the front crossbar from collapsing.

Hey Matt,
Just as a curiosity question, you can tell I'm not a 14 sailor. What is the wire that runs from the bottom of the forestay to somewhere near the mast? Is that on all 14's?

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

Thanks so much. Now I understand.

I think that is the lie used to rake the mast forward for going downwind. Doesn't the 14 go straight downwind instead of jibing?

Doug

It's a mast rake adjustment line that goes to a cleat on the front crossbar. The 14 likes a really loose rig upwind; downwind, you yank on the line to stand the mast up and present more area to the wind. You just have to remember to release it before turning upwind again.

14s do not benefit from tacking downwind, so they head straight down. In lighter air, I'll stand on the front crossbar 1) to get my weight as far forward as possible and 2) to present more area to the wind.

Thanks Matt. That certainly makes sense.

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

so matt, do you go completely dead downwind then, and go wing and wing?

or is that done with the jib furled / no jib?

Ive always gone about 5 or less degrees off just to keep the sails consistent. but then again i go downwind most in really low winds when i want to just have some easy movement. so should i be changing this?

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Peter Scranton
'14 Tandem Island "Awesome"
'03 Windrider Rave "Menage a Trois"