I noticed in the International Hobie class rules that for the Hobie-18 you are allowed to locate the cleats for the jib sheets in locations other than the stock on the block set up (as long as it does not interfere with other stock gear or compromise integrity of the boat). I'd like to do this, because most of the cussing from my crew relates to cleating/uncleating the jib due to sheeting angles, especially when we have our weight forward in light air. And, being lazy, I don't feel like adjusting the angle of the cam cleats on the blocks everytime I go sailing. Questions are: 1) Is this class legal in the U.S.? Probably a silly question, but there it is anyway. 2) Has anybody done this, and what locations were tried with what results? 3) Am I missing an easier solution to this? I've got quite a few years on this boat, the easy way out hasn't occurred to me yet.
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<br>My current idea for this is to remove the cleats from the blocks, and mount two rotating cam cleats (like the one used for the traveler updated with a roller feed instead of the plastic eye-hole) on the forward crossbeam just inside of the hulls (or maybe further in). They could then be used easily from the foredeck, and should function fine from other positions as well. The other idea is to mount two standard cam cleats on the crossbar for forward work, and one on each hull for windward sheeting access. Out of the two, I think I like the rotating idea better but I'm undecided and I don't want to drill holes until I have a clear idea.
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<br>Any thoughts on this one?<br><br>Keith Chapman, Annapolis, Md.
<br>H-18
<br>Northstar 500 (monoslug)
<br>WRCRA - www.wrcra.org