Hi;

This is my first post. I have really learned a lot reading many pages of previous posts.

I have a question about the main sheet rigging on my 1984 Hobie 16. The boat seems mostly stock and unmolested, but I have never seen three separate pulleys mounted to the boom in any pics of rigging I have seen.

HERE IS THE SETUP:
Mounted to the the car is a seaway ratching cam block, that has attached to it a single Harkin triple block above it. This feeds three separate harken pulleys, each one separately mounted to the boom. Is this stock? All pulleys are all harken with the exception of the Seaway ratcheting block. Is this an acceptable setup??

Not sure, but it sounds like the mainsheet rigging for a(n) (older?) Hobie 18. Sounds like a lot to manage, a lot of stack height (limits mast rake), and a lot of friction. Low-profile 6:1 set-up is preferred, but if it works for the type sailing you do, that's all that counts!

I looked closer and the third pulley looks to have been added on. Not sure why

Did you say "Seaway" ???

Your thought that your boat is in it's "stock/origonal" state is correct .... "Seaways" where "origonal" equipment on H16's and TheMightyHobie18's .... as they discovered that w/ more "mast rake" ==> better upwind performance on the H16 ... very quickly the mainsheet stack was upgraded to "Harkin Triple Blocks". This reduced the "stack" height ==> more mast rake. (I also think the "Seaways" were no long availible ... but they do last aloooong time)

Please check on the Hobie Cat Forums/H16 ... look for Matt Millers "FAQ" thread ... the information you need will be there ....

Harry
H18Mag/P19MX

(I started w/ a 3-digit H16 #572 a looooong time ago ....)

I believe the 5:1 Seaway setup was still standard in 1984. That setup included a double block above a ratcheting block on the beam and two single blocks on the boom. Sounds like someone has modified your system to a 6:1, possibly using a block set from a TheMightyHobie18.

Sounds like it could be an TheMightyHobie18 setup from what you are saying. I will give it a try. If I don't like it I guess I will see if I can rig it using only the 2 pulley setup?