Tightening the sidestays / shrouds while H14 is on the beach

Hi all,

I have a very old H14 that is on the beach. I can't really take it off the beach, and I want to do the following repair.

Both the sidestays are a little loose. I'm not sure how to know exactly when they are tight enough, but they are definitely looser than those on my freshly tuned-up H16. And the sidestay adjusters have the clevis pins at the bottom hole already. So how do I tighten them up? Do I have to open the thimbles and shorten the wire and make new thimbles? How do I do that (I am a rank beginner). Or is there some way to attach the sidestays at a different point so that they don't have to be shortened?

I assume I have to take the mast down to do this . . . BTW, with a little embarrassment let me admit that I have only stepped the mast twice and did it with an old salt, and I am not even sure I remember how to do it. Are there any good videos or step-by-step guides with images for idiots.

Thanks, Paris.

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Broward County, FL
1984 Hobie 16, Olympic Edition (kept in NY)

For all intents & purposes, you really can't change the length of the shrouds once they've been built. I supposed it's possible to cut off the nicopress fitting from one end, shorten the shroud, and re-install a new fitting. But it's not something that most people would do and probably not a repair for a beginner unless you're very confident you can do it correctly.

However, the real issue is that having loose shrouds on a H14 is probably not a big deal. In fact, most (if not all) of the racers run the shrouds very loose to allow the mast to stand more upright when going downwind. Just make sure the shrouds are not so loose that the mast base can pop out of the step during a capsize (or tie the mast base in to prevent it from popping out).

As for raising and lowering the mast, on a 14, it depends on how old the boat is. The original 14s you had to lift the mast straight up and place it into the step on the front crossbar. Then connect one of the shrouds. The later boats had a small hook on the mast base that allowed you to lower the mast directly from the step. And the latest boats have a hinge that also lets you lower the mast by bringing it down to the back of the boat (although more securely than the hinge).

sm

With the sails up and the boat ready for sailing turn it into the wind bring the traveler to the port side honk down on the main sheet tighten the shroud on that side a few holes then do the same on the other side you should have a pretty tight rig do not over tighten just get it snug

The 14 likes a loose rig.

Racers commonly have the rig so loose that you can grab the shroud with your fist and turn your wrist 90 degrees.

I ran my hobie 14 and 14 Turbo with a snug rig I was not racing
When racing I used to not treat the boat very well
On the beach or on the lake I go fast
Racing and just fun sailing are very different with different boat set ups
nice and easy and fast is the way to go