What ever the hassle with rigging... the boat will sail better with the mast properly raked aft.

Basic rule of thumb for rigging: The boom blocks should touch or nearly touch the traveler blocks when fully sheeted for the days sailing conditions.

History: In 1982 Hobie redesigned the mast step casting for more rake and made the shrouds shorter... forestay longer. In 1995 we went to a single part number for shrouds (17s and 16s), so the shroud wire became approx. an inch shorter. Current shrouds are 18' 11". On new boats we use an "Aussie" jib halyard system with a longer forestay which is 18' 7 1/4".