First of all, congrats on your new Hobie! What color sails did you get!? I just bought a 2019 boat a month ago. This is my first summer on the Hobie 16 and I have been crewing for a friend who is a great helmsman and experienced racer. We’ve been in 4 or 5 regattas this season and have learned a ton from other folks in the hobie community. Such a great and welcoming group of people with a wealth of knowledge. Division 4 in the PNW rocks!
My first recommendation would be to go to the Hobie events and start chatting with people. There are a ton of minor tweaks that can help the 16 sail better and faster. Show up with a new boat and you are going to get a ton of free advice.
My second piece of advice is get those Trapeze wires hooked up and get some harnesses! Trapping out is the funnest part of sailing the 16, for the crew and helmsman.
Check out Joseph Bennett’s videos on the Joyrider TV channel on YouTube. Tons of awesome well made instructional videos. I’ve learned so much there. Start by watching the videos on righting the boat when you capsize, because you will capsize! Don’t be afraid of it, it can be very manageable getting the boat back up if you know the right techniques.
Now to your questions:
1.) What are the best settings for the side stay adjuster holes? Currently I have them at the 5th holes from the top of the stay adjusters.
These settings will change depending on your total crew weight and the wind conditions. Being up or down one hole can make a big difference in the mast rake when the jib halyard is fully tensioned. Watch the Joyrider TV vids on rig tuning.2.) What is the best setting for the front Forestay Bridle Adjuster hole? Currently I have it at the 4th hole from the top of the adjuster.
Doesn’t really matter. All the forestay does is hold the mast up when the jib isn’t on. I usually put mine in the top hole when stepping the mast.3.) Currently my mast seems to be raked back quite far in looking at it.
yup the new boats are designed with tons of mast rake, just like the Wave. Raking the mast back so that you can get the mainsheet tight block to block will help you depower the sail in heavier wind. In light wind you can bump the shrouds up a hole and add jib halyard tension to reduce rake. Use two pins at once in the shroud eye. That way you can bump them up and down and always have one in place so that you can’t accidentally lose the shroud and drop the mast.4.) Is the Jib sail always required to be used? I have seen some Hobie's that don't have a Jib sail.
use the jib5.) Any advice as to how to attach and raise both sails would be great.
I raise my jib first. That’s what most of the other racers are doing...I just copy them 6.) I don't have the trapeze wires currently installed on the Hobie since I don't plan on using them at this point. Which out these I found it difficult to pull the side cables down into the side stay adjuster holes. Any suggestions on how to do this without the trapeze wires would be great.
with two people you can use the main halyard to pull on the mast to pull the shroud down to the desired hole. But put your traps on! Also use two pins like I mentioned before.7.) Suggestions on how to make sure that my block set has the ropes run through it correctly would be great.
Look at this image for the sheet routing through the block. https://images.app.goo.gl/ZQFxge4qdnj3f1KL8Good luck! Go for a sail and come back with more questions!