I recently bought a used hooter and pole for my P-19 originally built for a NACRA 6.0. I dicovered that I will have to attach the hound about five feet above where the hound for the shrouds is attached. Am I asking for it or can the boat handle it relatively well?
I understand that the main becomes the backstay and a dumped main in a breeze is a fast track to a broken mast. Will I be better off going to the added expense of getting the sail cut down so it attaches about 30 inches above the shrouds? Any opinions are welcome.
Thanks

I believe Bill Roberts recently mentioned that the best place for the spin. hound was one third of the way up from the main hounds. Measure the distance from the main hounds to the top of the mast, divide into thirds, one third up. The topic he was commenting on was mast survival. The Tornados I've seen have the tang half way. My Mystere is half way. I don't have any experience with Hooters but it's my understanding they produce greater loads than a spin. I would opt. for a lower tang and get the sail recut. Less hassle than replacing a mast.

The old theory was to put the tang about 30" above the hounds, and then folks started going nearly masthead -- and we witnessed a lot of mast breakage. The Robert's idea of 1/3 makes a lot of sense, depending on the mast.
For example, on my Taipan 4.9 the tang is only 30" above (flexible mast), while on the Hobie Wave it is nearly masthead (stiff, non-bending mast. )

The reply above this one says the loads are higher than spinnakers, but that is mainly going upwind or on close reaches. Off the wind, it is about the same. And when you are going upwind or close reaching, the main is always sheeted in.., or should be.

It would seem to me there are two ways to go about the project: get the pole lower or have the sail recut, but I would not go really high up the mast.
Good luck,
Rick

Thanks very much for the replies. I found a local loft who will recut and rebuild the tack and clew for a little more than a hundred bucks. I think I'll enjoy some peace of mind and still give the spinnaker guys fits!
Thanks again.