Hi John
there is the manual on acrobat ,-see other post
http://www.hobiecat.com/support/pdfs/TheMightyHobie18&SX_Manual.pdf 1-the jib on roller furler > you attach the drum on the bridal wires then the forstay and adjuster {plate with holes} goes through the center of the furler drum and is pinned at desired length ,--next the jib is attached with a schackle ,-its best low ,there are two holes above the drum ,one for the pin and one for the schackle ,this also gives a backup if the pin ever let go . The jib halyard goes up inside the zipper luff ,once up use a larger dia 3/16 line for jib downhaul ,-that is from the schacle up to the pulley at the end of the halyard then down to the jib cleat ,add an extra purchase if desired ,-you just need enough jib downhaul to take out the wrinkles ,--unlike the 16 .
note --most just take the little pulley off the jib halyard wire and use the loop , its less obstructive when raising the jib and one less thing to potentially break .
2-mast rotation arm - set the cleat on the boom about 2 ft back ,-tighten the screw to place or adjust . then run a line from it thru the arm pulley and back thru the cleat ,adjust the amount of rotaion desired ,-generally 30 to 45 degrees .
3-the loose foted main attaches to the provided metal projection with holes that allign with mainsail plate,a fast pin is handy there as you can quick disconnect when on the beach for lunch between races ,
One other pain is the top hook and release devise at the top of the mast for the mainsail , most just take the flipper part {release } off ,-you can just raise the main and use the rotator arm to turn the mast sideways to allow the ring and mainsail to be lowered.
The ideal way to set up a H-18 the first time is find another H-18 and go rig up and sail with em .
There may be a local club or cat sailing group in your area ,-most are happy to help a "newbe"
Its a great cat design ,raced them through the 80s and just purchased one again for the kids and lake --I,d love to see it built again though this time with lighter modern building techniques to weigh under 280 {like the hts } with a spin snuffer system . Its radius crossbar , seakindly hull profile, and numerous good features made this a very popular cat ,-its a shame a 20 ft version was not produced , though H-21 had similar hull lines .
The original design was supposed to weigh 350 ,-then advertised in 77 at 375 ,-but most H-18s are 400 plus .
Its a great seaworthy design and great fun ,-H-18s have been sailed through the N W Passage -uper CA ,and across the Atlantic ,-one w spin was sailed in the earlier Worrell 1000s as well .
They surf really well in large seas.
have fun
