w00t! w00t!

The new sails rock. My tacks were better, I was able to point higher, and I had a much easier time getting the sails up.

I'd like to keep these sails in great condition. Help me out. I'm being really good about putting them away dry, rolling them, releasing the batten tension, and putting them in the bag. It's the keeping them out of the dirt thing that's driving me nuts.


The problem that I am having is that I can't seem to keep the jib off the ground when I'm raising and lowering it. My three day old jib is currently covered in dirt when because it ended up on the ground while I was attaching the halyard. Is there a trick to keeping it off the ground?

Also, is there some magic trick to getting them both to fit into the sail bag that came with the sails? I used to be able to get both of my old sails into the old bag. Should I be removing the boom before putting the sails in the bag?

Yes if you expect to get the jib in there too.

Dirty jibs are just part of sailing 16's (and other cats too). It pretty much takes two people if you want to keep it off the ground.

Just be glad you don't sail in Georgia or South Carolina.

The easiest way for me to get both sails in the sail bag was to roll them up together starting from the head of the mainsail with the jib on the inside, Rolling from the top down also helps keep any moisture that is on the bottom few panels on the outside of the roll and will dry better. This method also keeps the boom and blocks on the outside as well, helping to prevent possible rust stains on the sail.

I put "hangers" (s-hook) on my blocks so they could be easly removed from the boom when i owned a Hobie 16 (and 18). They make storage much easier.

http://www.ronstan.com/marine/range.asp?RnID=223

what sail maker did you use? can i be so nosey as to ask what new sails cost?

I bought the OEM hobie sails, both of them cost me a hair over $1200.

I've been told that I could have bought them from various sail makers for less, but I'm finally starting to understand racing. Besides, in a couple seasons when I upgrade to a newer-used boat I'll just take my nice sails with me.

I'm not what you'd call competitive and only take it out on sundays, since the lake is an hour away, so I expect them to last me at least 6 seasons.

I'm really not in it to win, I'm in it to know that I am rounding the marks well and becoming a better sailor. If I've improved some, then it is a win for me.

Should I be taking the main off the boom? Is the main going to last longer if I do? I know all the scow sailers that I know take it off.

While hoisting the sails keep them on the trampoline. With a 16 you do not need to zip the jib to the forstay so you can just hook up the halyard to the head while it is on the trampoline. On a day when there is very little wind you can hoist the jib before you attach the tack to the chainplate.

As for the bag, just make a bigger one. It is not really good for the sails to be rolled too tight. It is really easy to make another if you have even the slightest understanding about how a sewing machine works. You may want to make one for the main and use the one you have for the jib. That is what I do with Hobie sail bags.

Later,
Dan

I don’t think it will make a big difference. It probably would save a little wear and tear over the life of the sails but there are 1000's of sailors that don't and their sails last decades. If you were competitively racing for a living it may be worth it.

Actually as i understand it, pro racers only use their sailes a few times. There are many local sailors here that purchase used Tornado sails from some pro's.. they are basically perfect and 1/2 price (still expensive and only last a year or 2 at best, but great sails.) There are 2 Mystere's and 2 G-Cats in the pic with Tornado sails.





.. but as mentioned above, i would remove the blocks. This will save you some stretching in spots, and probably some stains.

I'll have to try raising the jib from the tramp. I was going to go sailing this morning, when I decided to burn a personal day that wasn't going to roll over, but some fine individual decided to steal my bow shackle off the chainplate.

At first I thought I had lost it and was going to use the spare that I keep hanging off the tramp lacing, only to find it too was missing.

Hope they needed those shackles way more than you did. A hand lost due to thievery does not seem worth it to me if they are caught...oh wait, wrong country.

Get up the main first. Then you can hoist the jib on the lee side of the main from the tramp even with quite some wind and once it is almost up, attach it to the bridle.

Here is a shot of my new H17 pentax square top from Chip Buck.
Easy to deal with and the sail is wonderful. $1,280 USD delivered to NZ.

SWEEET!!!! (but wheres your jib?)