New to this - SO many questions... please assist.

Some questions that have been ignored on other forums

1. In the online manual it says raise the jib to 4-6" of slack on the forestay? (huh whats that mean) I raise it to the TOP/tightest? is that right? or does it mean - lower it 4-6 inches? (there is no slack in the forestay).

2. My 16 is USED - heavily and amazing at around 30 years old is in as nice shape as it is. (amazing Hobie!)
anyway - the ropes like main stay are fuzzy and don't slide easily through the aft (tackle/block) does this mean get new ropes? or should they be snug? or?

3. My aft rail that has the sliding unit in it - sometimes gets STUCK - is there some maintainance that can fix this? how does this LOCK? is it just the upward PULL to the boom that keeps it (usually in place)?

4. I have a softspot on one hull - I found the repair page on here (thanks) will drill and fill it. It says "RESIN" that is the same as epoxy? I know they're similar. Just purchase a can of resin? (does it get mixed like epoxy?)

5. My jib top 3 battens are ALWAYS getting stuck on the mast and worse the lines (wires) running UP the mast... the ends of the battens catch. Because they're not smooth. Is this normal? any way around it? or am I rigged wrong? This happens mostly in lighter winds. (one batten broke) 2nd down from top jib. (where can I order this one replacement).

6. Shrouds - HOW tight? when sailing the back upwind shroud seems VERY LOOSE - is this normal? at rest with no sail up all are seem fairly snug.

thanks

The slack is from tensioning the rig,that is when you pull the jib up ;pull it tight, at that point the forestay will be slack.
Fuzzy lines, replace
The sliding unit is the traveler car check the little pins in it for bendege, if it is bent replace it, it should cleat in the center.
If the soft spot is in front of the front crossbar repair, but I do not recommend sailing in high wind even after repair
Trim the jib battens as short as possible and help it through in light air.
Run as much rake on the mast as the standing rigging will allow.

_________________
Bodhisatfa

Rojoyinc - You didn't mention where you're from. Ideally, there'll be a Fleet and a Hobie dealer near you and you can get more personalized help. You admitted to being new at this and this forum is only your second best option.
You have three wires or cables holding the mast up before you raise the main or jib. (#6) They should be fairly snug. (#1) When you raise the jib and tighten it, it pulls the mast slightly forward and causes the forestay to go slack - 4" to 6". The wire in the jib is now holding your mast up, along with both of your shrouds.
(#2) Fuzzy rope. I occasionally singe mine with a match or lighter. It works well for me and I sail a lot. I've had my H-16 since 1980. If that doesn't work, then you'll probably need to buy a new rope.
(#3) Sliding unit = Traveler. If it gets stuck, try cleaning the track and lubricating. How does it lock? Well, the boom has nothing to do with locking it. It's difficult for me to explain in writing. Again, it's best to contact a near-by fleet or Hobie dealer.
(#4) Soft spot repair - Although I've successfully done this twice, I don't feel comfortable offering advice on this matter. There are plenty of tips and explanations on this in previous posts on these forums.
(#5) Battens - This is fairly easy: Remove the caps and trim your battens, then put the caps back on or replace the caps with Jib Batten Hinges - Hobie Part #20390001
I hope this helps.
So.....Where are you from?
Richard

There have been a few threads recently about jibs getting caught on the mast... or halyard. The trick is, trim the battens a bit but also to leave it cleated when coming about, don't uncleat it until you've completed your tack, then the wind will help move it over without snags, most of the time. In light wind, you may have to uncleat it and give it a good tug to get it over.

_________________
1982 H16 (C:\Worthy)
Yellow/White Prism type sails

I've been using forums for over a decade (and this one is weird!) I THINK I replied to Little wing. (said save draft? huh draft?) I don't see the post.

Anyway - here's a reply to Rich and Pat.
I'm from Grand Rapids, MI - I live on a small lake. Surrounded by mostly cat tails, so no beach at this point and so far - launching and landing has been a pain to say the least. While the actual lanch and landing isn't bad - the PREP to ready the boat and the un-rigging has been a nightmare while the boat is in water (water that I can't standin). due to depth/silt). but it's been fun for 3 days - dispite massive frestrations. (snags, twisted lines, being on the wrong side of the mast to do what needs be done. It's like if anything could go wrong it does.

Nearest dealer I think is gun lake - around an hour from me. (50 min anyway) not really close and not sure what they have/will help with as I've never been there.

AH - much better explaination of the jib/forestay issue. Though still confusing me. My forestay is really tight... my jib slides up the forestay. (on a white clip). When my jib is up top - TIGHT - my forestay is still VERY tight. (as far as I can tell). But I'll try and check that issue next time.

Thinking... the only way the forestay would go slack is if the jib is connected to the forestay aduster and really pulled extreme tight. My jib connects to the bottom of the forestay adjuster to a old D-clip sort of thing. (the guy I bought it from has some funky rigging and something just don't seem right). I'll check this next time.

Rope - singe it WOW didn't think of that - have done that to ends before but never thought of it to the rope itself. Clever. Else what/where to get the rope - it just plain ole rope - (braided) kind like from Lowes? (buy by the ft) or is it something special?
Size needed? I notice the front rigging (jib) uses smaller rope than back, so what sizes do the front / back require? so when at the store I'm not guessing or buying 30ft of the wrong stuff.

Traveler (clean and lube) I tried to clean it today - splashed water in the track and that seemed to help a lot - but not totally - should this car slide with no effort on my part from side to side during a (jive?) turn. Lube with? I read somewhere not to lube anything as that can get sticky and attract dirt. So what to lube with?

Soft spots - okay, I did find a PDF on the hobie site that explains the process, drill and fill. I use to fly sailplaned and we often had to do this to delam wings and parts. So didn't seem to complicated, until I noticed the that inside has some softspots too. Maybe wiat until it exploads and then get a new hull or find another used one.
I imagine they're easy to swap out - (one bolt per trapeze frame) it appeared?

TRim - ok... sounds good. I didn't know I could/should. They're glass I assume? Best way to trim? scissors? hack saw?
One is broken in the center, any way to easily fix this? else order a replacement?

Thanks Rich. (Grand Rapids, MI) 30miles E of Lake Michigan shoreline. But I live on a small inland lake.
had good winds today - rolled the boat... any tips on here to stop that from happening? I wanted to get it up on one hull... as I tried to ease back a bit - it just keep going up and over... was like in slo-mo. Once tipped - I was sitting on the back corner and - well dove in where I didn't see sail under me. I then donned my life vest and pulled the main sail sheet? (I think it's called) over the top hull - tied it to the front trap frame leg. MAde a nice loop. I laid back inside the rope - hanging out as far as I could. This lifted the mast a bit - but not enough. The wet sail (in water) just didn't want to come all the way up. I'm only 5'7" around 160. Not even close! Fishermen came to help - couldn't do much - finally my son noticed and came out and pulled down on the skyward hull with the wave runner and righted the boat. I took off and sailed another couple hours.
From then on making sure that the main sheet was in close reach and that if anything happened I could pop the sheet/line from the cleat. OR - it seemed like if I turned INTO the wind that the lift would fall off faster. When I rolled it I tried to turn out of the wind and the sail kept going over...

Barren - thanks - From my massive 3 days experience. I had better luck today. I don't think the guy I bought the boat from has the jib rigged properly. I messed with it some and had it working fairly well. Sailing myself today I would go to tack/jive? turn... and would throw the rudder... make a partial turn, would release the "cleat?" (the pinchers) on the rope and pull it like almost a loop pattern to move the jib. I'd then go back and grab the rudder and complete the turn. It seemed to me that the boat didn't want to make the turn until I rotated. (looped the jib) to the other side. I'm not sure what the jib is for... but it seems to be helping me in turns. ??

So to not uncleat it - move it until after the turn (tack?) wouldn't allow it to help me turn. anyway with the rigging some what adjusted up front the jib did much better today, but then the winds were stronger as well. That may have been why it worked better.
I think trimming the battens (since suggested I can) will help a lot.

New questions.

My rudders hum - when moving along pretty good... My boat is old and the bolts that hold the rudders in place have nuts that are cracked. The nuts don't seem like metal? Are they nylon or something? can I replace them with new stainless nuts? Not sure of the bolts material. Must I order Hobie parts for the nuts to get nuts of the same material?

AND - I read that when raising the main sail that I'm suppose to pull tight until 2nd metal retainer on the cord can be hooked in the little fork (lock thing). I can't ever seem to get the sail up enough to get the 2nd metal thing down under the fork. (I'll have to lower/step down the mast and see what is going on... but my question. Are these two metal things suppose to be INSIDE the slot in the mast that the sail goes into?
One is out - and the other is in. (but sometimes out) think the one that is in and out is going in and out at the top. The other one (the 2nd lower one) is never in the slot. I tried it get it in the slot today, but no go.
Should it be? so far I'm forced to tie off the sail, without the metal piece in the fork/lock.

Another: when running - is the rudder suppose to really be pulling hard toward the wind ward direction? I mean it's like a tug of war amount of pull - to keep the rudders tracking straight. Is this normal?

Rojoyinc - It appears that you won't be able to get one on one help from a fleet member or a local dealer. I think your next best option is to have a phone convesation with a knowledgable person about your boat. I've never met nor spoken with Jeremy from Surf City Catamarans, but he has posted on this Forum numeous times and appears both knowledgable and very helpful. His number is: (831)359-5918. Murrays Marine is also very good: (800)786-7245. Both ship parts and accessories. A conversation with a knowledgable person is better than this forum if you're new and need a lot of help.
I'll help you with some of your easier concerns:
When raising the main, the top or second metal thing is supposed to be inside the slot. Sometimes it's not easy under ideal conditions to raise the main all the way up the mast, but to attempt this while treading water.....??????
Rope? Jibsheet Line is 5/16" spun braid, 32' long.
Main sheet Line is 7/16" spun braid, 44' long
This is from "Hobie 16 Line Lengths and Wire Guide".
Lube the traveler - attracting dirt??? Sounds like good advice for a bicycle chain. If your boat is on or near the water I don't think you need to be too concerned about this. Just clean and lube the traveler TRACK and wipe off the excess - just like a bicycle chain. I would use something light and penetrating.
Sounds like you need a righting line and maybe a Righting Bag. You also need to use a better technique when righting your boat.
When you think you're in trouble and about to capsize, you need to lose power (spill air) FAST!!!
(1) Pop the main.
(2) Push on the tiller and head up into the wind.
Or (3) Do both quickly and simultaniously!
When sailing you need to be certain that your rudders are all the way down and locked (Hear and feel the "click").
Please call Jeremy or Murrays for a one on one conversation. Sounds like you could use a little help with rigging and ordering a few parts.
Rigging and sailing your Hobie should be fun - Not a nightmare.
Best of luck, and enjoy your summer.
Richard

Rojoyinc - I just thought of something else.... It sounds like your boat isn't easily trailerable. See if you can find a nearby Hobie Regatta this summer. Contact the Director and see if he can find a skipper in need of a crew. Or, just go there and hang out; maybe help out a little bit.
Take a camera ( most cell phones have a camera and a recording device) and take pictures and notes. Talk to people and make friends.
You might have to drive a ways, but you'll have fun and learn a lot. You don't need to bring your own boat. Take your family along.
I hope this works out well for you.
Richard

At this point I suggest you google hobie sailing and find some info on hobie sailing there is plenty of literature out there, start with the hobie web site and look for hobie university.

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Bodhisatfa

Rich - THANKS! most helpful... (line size info etc) thanks!

lilttle wing - (I thought I did that- went to hobie forum to find help, pictures, tips. I have to say (your not much help) but at least you replied. I use to scuba dive and it was common chat in and around the water docks and marina's that most sailers are snobs. (fellow motor boaters would say, they won't talk to you - they're sailers. I'm starting to find that out online.

Rich you're the exception. I appreciate the help.

My observation- I've gotten into MANY sports, hobbies and have always used forums to learn new things. (I enjoy learning which is why I get into so many new things). In my many years of being online... I have to say with much experience that trying to get help from the sailing community "online" at least is like pulling teeth.

(does anyone post pictures? actually share/help?) for example - my rudder pole/rod/tiller? has a really nasty connection (the previous owner hogged up) to make this connection with a big nasty rusty bolt that is just waiting to puncture my main sail when I lower it. I want to redo this but looking at parts, not sure what I need or what will fit, as I'm not sure I have stock tiller rod or holes or connections.
It would be easy for me to post a pic - show what I have and (get a response) as I have with other learning experiences on other forums.
Yet I don't see this sort of interaction on here. Sad - is there a more active/more helpful (pictures, diagrams etc) forum that anyone can point me to? I'll then not bother you here any further. = (

(even getting access to this forum was strange, not only a email confirmation - but then had to wait to be "turned on" or - accepted? not a good reputation for the sport.)

Not as bad a reputation as getting porn and spam in the forums. We are tight on the registration process to help prevent this. It works. At least you can read all of the forums as a guest. We just want to know who posts.

BTW... I don't find many snobs in our forums here or in Hobie Cat sailing in general. All very helpful people, but not everyone has the time for detailed training via the net.

You have posted your questions in several forums and forum locations... hard to keep track of what has been answered by now.

There are several helpful articles in the sailing FAQ that answer some of your questions above.

Sail hoist and halyard locking: http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=371

Rudder hummm: http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=12859

PS... People are happy to help, but less inclined to do so when you smack them around for not answering quickly enough or in enough detail.

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

I'd add to Matt Miller's reply by saying that your first posts were a bit overwhelming. I'm good with answering a question or two, but I'm not going to take an hour to type out a comprehensive response. I'd rather be sailing or working on my own boats.

There are some additional resourses to download -
The Hobie Parts and Acessories Catalog - has lots of pictures of the bits and pieces that make up your boat.

The Hobie Class Association HOTLINE Magazine - while it's geared towards the racing crowd, there's a number of tuning articles & stuff in there. The March/April 07 issue has a whole article devoted to the different types of lines (ropes) available and what they're used for.

There's a fairly active fleet of 16s about an hour south of you on Austin Lake in Portage (near Kalamazoo). They have races on the lake every Tuesday evening. Their web address is http://www.geocities.com/Pipeline/Dropzone/6199/. Hook up with someone in that fleet (Dave Stiemsma is probably the best one). He'll let you launch from his yard into the lake and give you all kinds of help with the boat.

Good luck!

I wonder how any one learned to sail their hobie before the Internet, I was not trying to be a smart ass, try the library, I hope your computer does not crash, you might not get on the water

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Bodhisatfa

Welcome to the club!
it would be very helpful to know where you're located. There are local resources all over the country.

J

I have found this forum to be very friendly and helpful. For example from searching the forum, I figured out that I had my rudders on reversed, which made steering the boat a PIA.
Have you spent time searching the forum? I always spend a good bit of time searching, before posting a new question only to get responses with links to previous threads on the exact same topic.
There is a sticky on how to post pictures and many people do. You just need a free hosting site to paste a link to. I use photobucket.com
In answer to some of your questions.
You can trim the battens with a hack saw. Trimming them makes a big difference.
To keep from flipping as much, don't cleat your mainsail- when you start going over, every second makes a difference A lot of small lakes are gusty and if your sail is cleated when one hits, it is an invitation to capsize. If you are on the tramp, throw your body backwards as you let out the sails and turn into the wind.
Regarding locking the main sail traveler. The end of the main sheet should go through the cleat and guide on the center of the rear rail, through the traveler, and into the loop behind the cleat. You can just use a figure 8 stopper knot. Cleating this end of the main sheet controls the location of the traveler.
Rudder hum is not unusual. it has to do with the profile on the trailing edge. there are articles on how to correct this.
Get a parts catalogue from a dealer- it is very helpful in understanding all the parts and pieces. If you spring for a Hobie 16 manual you'll get a lot of helpful info on sailing, rigging, and maintance.

As MBounds suggests. Trying posting just one or two related quesions and you will get much better responses. Regarding snobby sailers. That maybe true of mono hullers, but I agree with Matt Miller that there aren't very many in the Hobie community.

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Alfred
'87 H16 Sail 89907
If you aren't sailing on the edge, you're taking up too much room.