Downhaul 6:1

Hi all,

I wonder if the recent changes to the class rules, especially the 6:1 downhaul system are already available in the States? The rules state that at least the attachments must be Hobie Cat provided. Are these already available?

Regards, Claus

The "Hobie Cat" provided attachments are:

Lower end: Traveller car top plate, held in place with machine screws and square nuts (just like the old mast cleat). This is the same little stamped piece of stainless that attaches the mainsheet to the main traveller car.

Gooseneck: Tiller connector yoke and bolt. The bolt replaces the vertical pin in the goosneck and provides a secure attachement for both the yoke on top (where the sail is attached) and the yoke on the bottom (where the top block of the downhaul is attached).

Understandibly, Hobie Cat didn't want to have to develop tooling or sub out any new parts when these work just fine.

Photos are in the next HCA News, which should be up on the web by Thursday.

Thanx a lot, hopefully the needed spare part numbers will be listed in HCA News too. The current dowhaul I have on my boat (2:1) is really a hassle. Shouldn´t some bearings be incorporated in the part of the gooseneck that slides in the mast?

Gooseneck slide?

Yep... the part is called a Gooseneck Bearing # 1511 page 37.

It is a plastic top and bottom for the gooseneck slide and a long screw that holds them on. Works great!

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

So for the recipe we need:

- Gooseneck bearing #1511 (page 37, only for boats before 95)
- Yoke Connection #3205. Do you use the same bolt as for the tiller connection in the gooseneck?
- Traveler Car Top plate part no. 11870000
- upper triple block and lower triple block with cleat. The cleat probably should not me moveable around its vertical axis (no swivel cam cleats)

Thanx on any further input!

regards from spain, claus

Hy Matt(s)

Is it possible to provide a photo of the assembled system ?

Thanks a lot

Tomas from Brazil

HC16Brazil,

you have a photo of the gooseneck slider in the Hobie catalogue on this web, and of the downhaul in the new HC News (may-june) also on this web, though with poor resolution.

So which blocks are being used? Are those Harken 29mm carbos, with a becket on the bottom block?

We will have kits available soon, but here is the hardware list:

1 11870000 Deck Plate
1 8020041 Clevis
1 10860000 Ring
2 8030320 Screws
2 8051301 Square nuts
21 8044670 3/16 Sta Set X Poly
1 H344 Harken Triple 29mm Carbo
1 H347 Harken triple w/ cleat 29mm Carbo

The rule states that the cleat cannot swivel.

You can also use the micro triple and triple with cleat H228 and H231

Making the downhaul ring connection stronger is optional at this point. If you keep the downhaul in a normal range, the load on the ring will be the same, but working the downhaul will likely wear the connection more over time and if you go past normal downhaul loads, you could fail the cotter key connection.

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

Thanks for the detailed pictures Matt - that's exactly what I was looking for.

So, looking at the picture, I don't see much different in the entire gooseneck assembly. Are we required to replace this? Or will the blocks also work with existing gooseneck.

This is my gooseneck (with the old 2:1 downhaul and the gooseneck slide already installed):



I have two options:
i) leave the old downhaul, getting rid of the plastic wheel and attach the block at the bolt that now carries the wheel
ii) replace the old downhaul by the yoke connection, also using the yoke bolt with the nut.

I think ii) might provide the more stable solution, but will it be "legal"? The HCA News mention this tiller yoke connection but in mmiller´s list it does not show up. Is this the optional "downhaul ring connection"? Turns out to be quite difficult understanding this technical stuff in english

The class rules state:



Since Hobie Cat USA does not plan to make "custom attachments" for either of these fittings and has adapted an existing part from another assembly on the boat for the lower fitting, the same logic can be followed for the upper fitting. We are merely adapting a Hobie Cat supplied part (the tiller connector yoke and bolt) to the gooseneck.

I used mine for the first time in a regatta this past weekend and I must say, it is a nice improvement. I've always loosened the downhaul going downwind - it's no longer a chore and the 6:1 means the crew can get it back down to the upwind setting quickly and easily.

I would also recomend a quick release shackle in place of the normal shackle connecting the top block to the goose.

A little off the topic... does everyone really think these adjustable downhauls will make a noticeable difference in performance? I understand you want your sail flat, but downhauling is ultra simple without a 6:1.

On the beach:
1. point your boat nose into the eye of the wind and sit on it.
2. Thread your selected downhaul and snug it tight.
3. Sheet the main all the way block to block.
4. Re-tighten your downhaul.
5. Let loose of the mainsheet.

??

I think the point of this is 'on the fly' downhaul adjustment. Its a b#### to snug up the DH when your coming around C mark with the current way of doing things. I did see the pictures of the proposed DH system and it was very helpful in identifying what that stuff was for on my new 20!
Now if I can just figure out what is meant by a 'barber hauler' I think I am set.