Downhaul 6:1

I sure wish the rules would allow the cleat to swivel. What is the logic for it being stationary?

I think the point of it being stationary is so that you can't adjust it from out on the wire. There is a difference in being able to adjust your downhaul coming around the weather mark, and being able to adjust it from the wire, at speed.

_________________
Marcus
H16
Narragansett Bay, RI

Well, if you round from the same side it doesn't have to swivel. Just face the block to the side you will be on when rounding.

If you have not used this setup before, I think you will find is fairly tough to re-cleat the way it is pictured on this thread. I highly recommend adding an eye-strap on the cam cleats otherwise you are going to be playing bullseye or sitting at the base of the mast fiddling with it.

I still think this additional feature will be marginal as far as performace.


Barberhaulers: sheets that open and close the slot between the jib/genoa and main. The H16's I have seen don't have enough jib sheet left to barberhaul anything. You can adjust the slot by adjusting the jib halyard tension and the jib sheet traveler.

Is it class legal to put a swivel block to adjust the jib tension?

This is not a performance option. There were several things allowed recently that were "ease of use", not increased performance options. The original downhaul is difficult to say the least. Add a female or youth crew and it is impossible. With this a youth can actually get the downhaul set. It will not be permissable to use it from the wire. The 2:1 outhaul is the same idea. Just easier to pull.

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

Feedback: works fine. However, the restriction of not allowing a swivel type cleat really is a hassle. Due to the mast rotation the cleat usually points quite a lot to the leeward part of the boat so that the one who wants to change the setting has to be on this side of the boat, which is dangerous in strong wheather. At least it should be possible to control the setting from midship, imho.

You need to be a little more specific - luff tension? (Not class legal)

Downhaul Feedback:
Both Bill Jeffers and I used the new downhaul system at MidWinter's East. It takes a little getting used to (especially since it points to the leeward side when sailing), but it makes adjusting the downhaul at the marks so much easier.

It's also nice between races - easy to let off tension so the sail doesn't flog.

Matt is quite correct. I loved the new downhaul just because it was easy. My crew Karen got to play with it all weekend. It was just done before I even looked at it. I used to play the downhaul but I have been sailing with so many different people that I had stopped. Now it is easy enough that anyone can do it.

cheers
Bill J.

I do not see a price in the new hobie catalog for the 6:1 down haul kit?

Look on page 43, retail is $135.00 part number 2089, your Hobie dealer should already have them sitting on the shelf AWAITING YOUR PHONE CALL!

Thanks,
Brad Stephens
www.sunjammers.com
Hobie Division 15 Chairman
Authorized Hobie/Vanguard/Hunter Dealer
[email protected]
850-235-2281
Panama City Beach, FL

Just another feedback: In my case the two screws with square nuts that hold the traveller car top plate were not enough: the plate would start to slide up the mast after a few times out sailing. I added another screw/nut just on top of the traveller plate, this avoids that the plate slips up.

You can also file a flat spot on the back of the mast to keep the plate from sliding. This gives more contact surface and, if you do it carefully, with sharp transitions, you get an inset that the plate won't move out of.

Will this allready be on my 2005 Im picking up from the dealer Sat?

Standard equipment?

The "Power Pak" items are not standard equipment... yet. Maybe after a year of so of in the field use some may become standard. This is a typical lag in changing new boat production. First we make sure it is EXACTLY what the sailors want and it works well. Also has to make sense for the reecreational and rental buyers of the boats.

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

I have an older '16 and I would like to have repeatable downhaul settings. How is the graduated sticker next to the 6:1 aligned? Is the "10" level with the bottom of the slot where you insert the slide into the luff track? I presume that the sticker/decal is available in the catalog.

Thx,

_________________
Eric
H16
Sail# 11500

A friend of mine just installed a 6:1 downhaul on his boat. After crewing for him I noticed that, because the H-16 does not have a mast limiter, the bottom block and cleat are always pointed towards the leeward side of the boat making adjustments underway somewhat cumbersome. Is this just something he has to live with on an older Hobie (1984)?