I've been sailing a Hobie 20 for 2 years now and am getting more confused by tuning advice. I have gotten advice that tells me to rake the mast way back, 24" behind the transom when you use the line-to-the-bridle-to-the-stern measure, and adivce that tells me to leave it pretty vertical. On the issue of spreader rake the comments range from 1.5" to 3". I would love to hear from anyone who successfully sails an H20 and has experimented with these settings (mast and spreader rake). I sail at 300 to 330 depending on the crew I use.



I'm going out in a couple of weeks to try to experiment with another local H20 skipper to do some serious testing. As you all probably know, you really can't test these things alone and even with another boat, its still hard to minimize the variables as the wind changes all through a day of testing.



Maybe we should try to get the top 5 finishers at any national to let the rest of us "duffers" know how they set up their boats...wishful think, I know. Thanks in advance for any advice. I'll use it during the test day.

Bob Curry's articles in Catamaran Sailor published by Mary Wells, stated "Start by marking off in 1" increments from behind the rear beam 5 through 10 inches. We will want to set the rake at 7" behind the rear beam for starters. This will allow the sailplan to generate lots of lift in the lulls. This is a great setting because it doesn't hurt in puffs near 25 mph. If the sustained wind was in the mid-20 range, then we would want to begin our mast rake at 10" behind the rear beam. If the sustained winds are upper 20's with gust in the 30's, rake all the way back (Remember to set your rig tension to your racing setting before you check your mast rake.)" General rigging and tuning guide by Steve Leo as published in Hobie U from NAHCA has the mast rake at 6" from tip of rudder. Rudder should be up and locked. So we have the range 7" from the rear beam to 6" from the rudder tip. If testing with other boats make sure weight (boat & crew), sails and other variables are accounted for. Maybe you could switch boats after a lap and see if you have the same out come.