I have a Hobie 16 with the stock main traveler car. I just bought a used Harken mainsheet system. The mounting pins on the blocks have a 1/4" pin, the traveler car has a 3/16" pin. Is there a special shackle I need to buy, or is there an adapter plate for the traveler car?

Put a shackle with a 1/4" pin on the end of the block, and a 3/16 pin through the traveller car with the shackle between the two sides of the traveller. See the murrays catalog for a pic of the block with shackle.

Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a try, I just thought putting a shackle around the 3/16 pin would bend it in heavy wind...Have a Hobie Day!!!

I had the same problem and i have never bent or broke a shakle so dont worry!!

I use a stamped 'D' shackle on mine, if you go to west marine or check the catalog you will see one. It is stamped from a flat piece of stainless with a clevis pin. It is plenty strong enough but also has a flat profile so the load on the 3/16" pin is not at one point but spread out a little.

If you’re going to race your boat don’t use a shackle. Due to the excessive mast rake carried by the 16 when racing you want to limit the distance between the boom and the back beam. That means low profile blocks and no room for big shackles. Attach the harken block directly to the traveler car with the 3/16 pin. You will need to bend open the traveler car a little bit. That’s how the fast guys do it. I’ve had mine rigged up like this for a few years and never bent the pin.

I connect mine the same way,only what i did was file the post on the block down a bit instead of bending the traveller car attachment.