Aestela
First I would recommend that you have a wind indicator on the bridle. The downwind rule of thumb on a Hobie 16 is to keep the apparent wind at 90 degrees. (if it’s windy and you want to de-power bear off)
Upwind is trickier. When there is good wind (double trapping) you want to make sure you bear off enough to get the boat going fast. Basically if you are slow first try bearing off and if that doesn’t work it’s a sail trim problem.
When it’s lighter air you do need to pinch a 16, but not too much. The ‘not too much’ part is the trick. If you pinch too much you slow down and never get going again. You need to develop an instinct so that you know when you’re going to slow down before you slow down. Just before you slow down you should ease the main a half inch and bear off three degrees.
A Hobie 16 tacks in about 100 deg when it's realy windy and realy light down to about 90 deg when it's full power conditions.