Hobie Cat 18 User Manual page 25

Tiller
Balance
Tip - Try tightening rig tension for more power
Heavy Air
Main Downhaul
Outhaul
Traveler
Mainsheet
Jib Luff Tension Tight
Traveler
Jibsheet
Jib clew
Tiller
Balance
Sailing Downwind
Light to Moderate Air
Main Downhaul
Outhaul
Traveler
Mainsheet
Jib Jibsheet
Traveler
Tiller
Balance
Rudder
Moderate to Heavy Air
Main Downhaul
Outhaul
Traveler
Mainsheet
Jib Jibsheet
Traveler
Tiller
Balance
Hobie 16 Tips
The most critical telltales are those on the leeward side of the sail, usually the opposite side from the skipper.
Keep them flowing!
The best telltale locations are 9" to 12" aft of the luff of the jib and 12" aft of the boltrope on the main. Three
sets of telltales per sail are enough, one set in the lower half, one mid-sail, and one set in the upper half.
A windvane is excellent for determining the optimum sailing angles.
To depower in high wind: (1) downhaul and outhaul to the max, (2) travel out the main, and (3) don't sheet way
out to reduce power, this causes a lot of twist-off which makes the boat hard to control. In very high winds,
consider centering the traveler before jibing.
Work with your halyard. It is the most important adjustment. Keep leeward telltales flowing. Don't pinch on a
16.
Don't fiddle with your boat. A well sailed boat with a good start will usually beat a well fiddled-with boat that
isn't sailed well. Go Sailing!
Hobie University, NAHCA
Steer so that leeward tell tale below H is flowing but on verge of stalling
Boat level, crew and skipper trapezed, side by side, as required to keep hull
skimming
Very tight
Very tight
8" to 12" out. Increase if the hull continues to fly too high. If you must travel out
past halfway, try to loosen the jib halyard, then reset traveler at 8".
all the way in and play the gusts by feathering the tiller or sheeting out the main.
Keep the windward hull skimming.
Move outboard to compliment mainsail shape. Usually halfway to 2/3 out, no
more.
Very tight
1 to 2 holes down
Steer high in the gusts. Keep the windward hull skimming.
Boat level, double trapped, side by side. Move rearward for heavy chop or waves.
Moderate
Tight (you may loosen and reset for up-wind, but why?)
Out
18" to 28" between blocks. Tighter if your rig is loose. Sheet tighter in gusts.
Loose, crew may have to hold jib out. Keep telltales flowing if you can.
All the way out
Sail at 90 degrees or aft on bridle fly. Sail lower in gusts.
Weight forward, crew leeward
Try kicking up windward rudder
Tight
Tight
All the way out
Tight to 18" between blocks, play in gusts.
Trim to match main and keep telltales flowing
All the way out
Steer to keep bridle fly at 90 degrees sail lower than 90 degrees in higher gusts
Crew and skipper to windward, keeping boat level
Page 20
31 Mar 02