Righting the H-14

Meh. The 3-point turn is embarassing. Better to keep your speed up by not pointing so high and tacking through 120-150 degrees, then as you accelerate you can point again.

Jim

Embarrasing? I do it most of the time and 1/2 the time I am turning faster than the guys tacking correctly. I have tried and tried, but in light or heavy air, I can't make the flipping thing tack without backin' her up, so I am resigned to that way of doing it in some wind conditions and seem to do okay.

I didn't see a single boat at last years 14 nationals make a tack on Saturday without backing up. I started on port in the first race to avoid an extra tack.I would bet very few made one on Sunday either including the three time National champion. Back that thing up!
Maybe Matt did.(he's really good)

_________________
Pat Bisesi
Fleet 204 Syracuse, NY

Okay I stand corrected. I guess I'm just used to the H16 where the turns are concerned. I usually do the 3-point on the 14 also, but I've been striving to improve my tacks.

When I have my turbo rig set up on the 14, she'll whip over in the blink of an eye, but Uni-rig is another story, especially when you're racing, totally stressed out and its blowing. Hard to concentrate on a proper roll tack. I just come to wind, back her up and go deep, then point up once my head is on straight. I HATE sitting in irons when the rest of the pack is blasting on by me!

How do you properly roll tack a Hobie 14. Can you give me steps.

Mark
Hobie 14

What is your email address? [email protected]
I am having trouble with a link, but I can email the instructions to you.
cw

Mine is [email protected]

In heavy air, it's really hard, like Pat said. You're more worried about the boat flipping over to weather on top of you. The boat is so light, it has very little momentum, so by the time you come in off the wire and get organized, you're backing up.

In the light to medium stuff though, it's much easier. As you start the tack, slide towards the rear corner of the tramp. Steer SMOOTHLY (can't over-emphasize that enough) through the tack and let off a LOT of mainsheet as the boat crosses head to wind. Sometimes, I even hike off the back corner to get the boat to pivot on that corner. Flip the tiller around and move to the new weather side, slide forward and sheet in GENTLY as the boat begins to pick up speed on the new tack.



BTW, Pat - I didn't back up at all on Sunday. Except when my mast fell down.

It sounds like you wernt going any where except under tow.

Mark
Hobie14

Actually, with only a little assistance from one of the chase boats, we re-stepped the mast on the water and I was ready for the next race in about 15 minutes.

It really bites, though, when you're leading the race and your mast falls down because of a loose bolt.

restepping on water i didnt know that was possible. I have enough trouble trying to step it on the trailer. How do you install that pin at the base so you can step it without worring about it slipping out.

Mark.
Hobie 14

You CAN'T install that pin while sailing. If you have it handy, you can, but the mast needs to twist while on the water. BTW, I use the three point tack when its blowing. Otherwise I can usually pull it around if I'm by myself. When I say blowing, I mean blowing (30 mph+, I've been out in the 40's). 6 foot + sea's. I also sail FJ's WITHOUT trapezes in wind that strong. My new Vanguard 15 hasn't been out yet, but it should be exciting with upwind planning capability (no trap either, a International 470 is in my future and that will have a single trap.)!

Sam

I didnt mean out at sea i mean when its on the beach or on a trailer.



Mark

Oh, sorry. I thought you meant on the water. Hobie/Murray's sells a mast step link kit that includes the neccessary pins and hinges. Its around $30. If you don't have a hole in your mast step base, you have to drill one I believe, or replace the casting.

Sam