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PostPosted: Wed Mar 28, 2018 12:34 pm 
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I have an issue that every time I raise my sail it gets stuck in the track and no matter how hard I push (feed) or pull, it won't go all the way. I've tried reducing tension on the battens, feeding the sail before pulling up the hallyard. However, the only thing that ever seems to work is to push up on the 4th or 5th batten up with my tiller extension while someone else pulls the halyard hard and then it just gives at some point. Sometimes this doesn't always work and I have to turn the boat on it's side to and feed the sail past the stuck point at which point it doesn't feel as stuck.

This is only required to get the sail the last 6-12" up and the halyard locked in to the hook. However, the sail luff is sticking lower down in the track.

I'm looking for some advice on how to troubleshoot the problem. I've inspected the track but don't see anything obviously wrong.

I always treat the luff track with a health spray of McLube Sailkote. However, I only do this a couple of times a season as the boat sits on the beach for the summer. Regardless the problem persists even after the first coating.

Any thoughts?


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PostPosted: Wed Mar 28, 2018 3:37 pm 
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Very common issue. I even see World Championship racers struggle with this. I wrote an FAQ on this a long time ago. It works. You need to be sure the halyard puller is not getting ahead of the feeder.

If you have a older mast with wire halyard. Be sure the reefing and full hoist slugs are outside the luff track. You can tie the end of the halyard to the shackle and as if hoisting a flag... raise the slugs to the top and by holding the halyard aft of the slot... and lowering it again, you get them outside the luff track.

When lowering the sail keep enough tension on the halyard to guide these two slugs outside the track on the way down.

https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=371

mmiller wrote:
Raising the mainsail of a Hobie can be more difficult than need be.

Several factors can cause the mainsail to be difficult to hoist:


Dirty luff ropes and luff tracks. These can be cleaned with soapy water and a scrub brush. If you want to use a lubricant, keep away from oils and waxes that can attract dirt. Use a dry silicone spray. Most all Hobie sails now have a Teflon threaded bolt (luff) rope to ease the hoisting effort.

Battens and sail shape. The battens stiffen the airfoil shape of your sail. Over tensioning of the battens can cause a couple of problems. Luff protector caps can be forced against the mast and cause drag when hoisting. The battens also force the sail shape into a curve. The luff curve (seen when laying the sail out on the ground, as a large arch) is typical to Hobie Cat main sails. The sails "airfoil" shape is mostly created by the miss-matched mast bend and luff curve of the sail. The luff curve is more than the likely mast bend and when the mast is straight (while hoisting) the difference is dramatic. This luff curve going up the straight mast can cause significant drag and hoisting problems when done incorrectly.

Outhaul. Be sure the outhaul is fully released before hoisting.

Hoist Technique:

Keep the batten tension to a minimum. Hoist the sail slowly, while feeding into the mast opening. When the sail gets about 3/4's of the way up, begin aggressively feeding at the bottom opening and reduce the amount of halyard effort. If the halyard is pulled tight when the sail is not being fed into and up the track, you will have problems. The sail luff will pull taunt and the curve shape will bind in the (straight) mast track. Lower the sail slightly and begin feeding again.

The best way to feed the sail is to stand in front of the mast and reach around either side to "sandwich" the sail between two hands (above the feeder opening) and push the sail up the track. Pull with the halyard, only the slack created, then feed again. If the sail binds, lower slightly and begin feeding again. This technique can be done by one person, but is certainly easier with two working together. It is VERY important that the person on the halyard only pulls the slack up the mast and does not get ahead of the feeder.

Locking the Hobie 14/16/Getaway halyard:

Once the sail is fully hoisted (be sure that the sail is fully inserted into the feeder). Pull the halyard forward of the mast by 3-4 feet. Hold the halyard on the centerline of the mast. Pull hard and hold the tension while bringing the halyard into the mast. Release the halyard tension and see that the sail remains fully hoisted. This seats a small bead, in the halyard, under a two finger prong "hook" and the top of the mast. If the sail slips down when downhaul tension is added, repeat the final hoist technique again. Be sure the bead is clear to pass the hook before pulling tension on the halyard.

Image

To release... fully release the downhaul and outhaul. Partially feed the sail up the luff track. Hoist with the halyard to the top till it stops, hold... pull the halyard line forward 3-4 feet away from the mast, ease the halyard to lower the sail.

Locking the Hobie 17/18/20/21 Halyard:

It is best to simulate the halyard locking with the mast down so you clearly understand the system.

Then, depending on how old the boat is, be sure the hook does not have the old "flopper" stainless piece hanging on the hook. This old device caused difficulty in raising and hooking but would make it easier to release and lower.

Also, be sure that the knot tied to the ring is very low profile. A long bowline knot will hit the mast head before the ring gets to the hook.

If the ring has a small loop at the top... The line should be passed through the loop and a small knot tied. The knot (when ring and shackle are affixed to the sail) should be facing the mast. This tilts the ring closer to the mast.

Image

Then (before attaching halyard shackle to the sail) spin the halyard 3 or 4 times clockwise (looking down on the shackle). This "pre-loads" the halyard line and causes the ring to swing back towards the hook. Keep the boat into the wind and hoist. Should lock easily.

To release... fully release the downhaul and outhaul. Partially feed the sail up the luff track. Hoist with the halyard to the top till it stops, hold... rotate the aft of the mast base to starboard, hold the mast rotated, ease the halyard a few feet before releasing the mast. Lower the sail.

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Hobie Cat USA
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 29, 2018 7:46 am 
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Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:24 pm
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Thanks Matt. I've read that post in the past trying to apply it to my problem.

I have a '94 boat with a comp-tip mast using a new Halyard from the last couple of years. I definitely minimized the tension on my battens. And tried the feeding but the luff still gets taught up the top even after feeding.

Unfortunately, I'm usually alone trying to raise the sail. I'll try following your method again this season and report how it goes.


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PostPosted: Thu Mar 29, 2018 8:57 am 
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Joined: Mon May 09, 2005 10:25 am
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Location: Jersey Shore
Do the sheaves at the head of the mast turn freely (under load) and no worn/flat spots on the sheaves?

Check the mast track for pinches or damage, typically caused by not securing the mast adequately while trailering or from dismasting.

Are you leaving the boom attached when you raise the sail?

This is a situation where you can never have too much lubrication. Liberally spray silicone on both the luff track and the bolt rope.

sm


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PostPosted: Thu Mar 29, 2018 1:02 pm 
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Location: Chicago
Just a thought - I used to have this problem when my mast was not quite straight.

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PostPosted: Thu Mar 29, 2018 3:59 pm 
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Location: Opelika/Lake Martin, Alabama
I too have suffered from this problem before. The problem cleared up for me when I cleaned my mast track. The sail goes up much easier with a clean track.

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1984 H16 Yellow Nationals Redline, "Yellow Fever"
Lake Martin, 'Bama.


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PostPosted: Sun Apr 01, 2018 8:12 pm 
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Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:22 pm
Posts: 20
Location: san francisco
Have had the same problem. My solution was spraying McLube in the mast track from top to bottom. I also spay the top leading edge of the sail. Now it goes up with with very little effort. Also make sure your pointed into the wind. YMMV. One heavy treatment seems to last the entire year.


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 10:02 am 
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Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:20 pm
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Location: Clearwater, FL
I just put some Dawn Dishwashing Foam on the top 1-2' of the luff rope of my 1987 Blue Prism mainsail before I hoist the sail each time. It keeps the track clean and is very slippery.

I also add some of the Dawn Dishwashing Foam to the jib and mainsail traveler tracks each time to clean them and make the travelers slide smoothly.

Since I trailer my boat and sail in saltwater, hosing off the boat/trailer after each trip easily rinses off any residual Dawn in the luff and traveler tracks and keeps them clean.
Image

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Tim
84 H16
82 H16
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Clearwater, FL
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Last edited by Tim H16 on Thu May 13, 2021 11:55 am, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 4:01 pm 
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Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:44 pm
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Location: Oceanside, California
Check my old rigging video and about 7:25


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Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)


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