Could not wait to get on the water today, so family and I took out the H16 on a small lake near home. Being new, I did not want heavy wind..........but some wind would have been nice. Actually, there was a slight breeze around 5 to 7 mph (sorry, have not learned mph to knots). At any rate, we made headway for a bit then the wind layed for about 30 to 40 minutes. Made for a little sunning time if nothing else. We finally made our way back to dock without mishap. Overall, it was wonderful and I cannot wait to get back out......... hopefully with better wind. I can see how sailing cats can be so addictive.

This brings me to two questions. While rigging at the dock I had difficulty in getting the main all the way up. It seemes to hang up about 1 foot from the top. I have read that one should not pull the main halyard with a lot of force but this seemed to be the only way I could get it all the way. Is there something I could be doing wrong?

And secondly, I noticed when the wind was into our side, the leeward shroud would have slack. Is this normal, or should I adjust shroud tension? I did have the jib forestay about as tight as possible.

Thanks guys and have a wonderful day,

Walter

Normal for lee shroud to be slack.
I presume you had nothing else like mainsheet/downhaul connected before you hauled up main. It should not be VERY tight to pull. Maybe a blockage in the track up there? Always have a tealight candle in your kit. Run it up both side of the bolt rope. Very good, clean, cheap, easy top find lubricant.

If your H-16 halyard has two beads, the one for the reefing point may have been getting jammed on the v-cleat at the top of the mast. If this is the cause try pulling up slightly off center until the bead is past the v-cleat.

The first bead was already past the bead cleat. It was after this point that it seemed to be a problem.

Apply some sail lube to the bolt rope. Have your crew push the sail up the track.

H16 mains are a nightmare to get up. put your harness on, wrap the halyard around the hook and sit down, stand and repeat. Make sure that someone is feeding the sail into the track prpoerly at the same time.