Which boom to use

I have the old Seaway blocks on my H16 with 2 upper blocks and 1 lower block with ratchet. I have 2 booms, one with a single block hanger (which was installed when I purchased boat) and one with 2 hangers. I have been wondering if I am better off using the boom with 1 hanger and putting each of the 2 blocks on it with 2 shackles (what the previous owner showed me) or should I go back to the other boom with 2 hangers and hang 1 block on each hanger (1 block in front of the other)? It seems to me like the 2 hanger setup would be better in that the blocks and mainsheet would be less likely to bind or interfere with one another. This is my second full sailing season and have not had a lot of direction other than the previous owners 15 minutes of instruction.

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'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

With the old Seaway blocks, you will need the boom with two bales. When you sheet in all the way, the lower blocks actually almost go between the two, giving you more sheeting ability than if you were to connect them both to a single bale.

If you convert your Seaway's to a low profile (see post in this Forum) or purchase low profile blocks then you can use the other boom (or use only one bale of the other boom).

Hope that helps!

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2001 H16E (European Boat) Sail #108348 Cabo
Club Wave
1991 H14T (Crushed by a Tornado)
2006 Bravo (sold)
1986 Hobie 16 (sold)
1981 Hobe 16 (sold)
1980 Hobie 14 (sold)

Use the boom with 2 bales and remember to put the block with the becket furthest aft. (The becket is the extension on the bottom of the block to which you tie the end of the sheet.) Otherwise the line gets twisted and doesn't run smooth.

There is an old saying that you can learn all you need to know about sailing in 15 minutes and the rest of your life you spend trying to go faster.

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Howard

Thanks guys. If I attach the block with the becket to the rear bale, the lines seem to interfere. It looks much cleaner putting that block on the front bale. Maybe the lines are not run through the blocks in the correct manner. Does anyone have a photo or diagram of how the sheet should be run through the blocks?

Thanks again.

_________________
'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

I couldn't find my original assembly manual but did locate one on the Hobie site available for free download. The details of rigging the main sheet are for the 6 to 1 blocks but if you go to page 25 you find an overall view of the rigged boat that must be from the older version. You can zoom in and see the rigging of the 5 to 1 block and it clearly shows the becket in the back.

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Howard