Hello all, I am new here as well as new to the hobie cat scene (as an owner) The begining of last summer I purchased a hobecat in good sailing order with trailer for 400 dollars and i am looking to spruce it up this year as i did not get to last year (just got it in the water) First question is how much on an angle should the mast lean backwards, also on the shrounds shoud there be a screw adjust to tighten or loosen or just different positions for pins? also there is two positions to mount the base of the mast, which hole do i put the pin through and why are there two options??? Any help greatly appreciated.

First of all - welcome to the wonderful world of catamaran sailing!

The mast should lean back as far as it can go - leaving enough space between the boom and rear crossbar to fully sheet in the main sail. Given that you've got an older boat, you probably have the stock mainsheet blocks (two blocks on the boom; a double block stacked on top of the ratchet on the traveller). That and the short forestay are going to limit how far back you can rake the mast. Put the side stays in the bottom hole of the adjusters and see if you can hook up the forestay when you step the mast. If not, add another adjuster to the end of the adjuster attached to the bridle. A piece of bungee cord tied between the two adjusters will take the slack out when you tension the rig with the jib halyard.

There is no screw adjustment in the shroud adjusters - you just have the different holes to work with.

The two holes on the mast step link are to accomodate both the Hobie 16 and the Hobie 14 (the same part is used for both boats). Use the one furthest out (it should have a "16" stamped next to it).

Good luck!

My tuning guide is on the Division 12 web site
http://www.hobie-div12.org/
click on Hobie 16 Rigging Tips
The pins at the mast base are just for getting the mast up and down. It doesn’t mater too much what hole you put the pin in. Be sure to take the pin out when you go sailing so the mast can rotate.
You should probably pin the shrouds all the way at the bottom. I think the older boats had longer shrouds.
Also check out www.thebeachcats.com there are tons of how to articles about getting an older 16 back into good sailing shape.
Delamination Repair
How to Epoxy the Frame
Tiller Bar Upgrades
Rudder Adjustment
Parts Drawings from the Catalogue

Another suggestion is to go to this website; http://www.hobiecat.com/support/index.html

There are links to parts diagrams and assembly manuals, etc..

Hey thanks for the posts guys, i wish i had found this site earlier i guess i found it now because this is the season to get your boat ready around here, anyways, i actually have a new boom, and the main sheet is not original, i couldnt actually tell you right now how many blocks are on it (in storage) but i know there are quite a few and the sheet is extreemely long to get through the pully set up, also there is a mount so that i could set it up for a boom vang witch i have not yet done, although i must admit that i did not know you were supposed to take the pin out while sailing so the mast could rotate, i figured it must stay in to hold the mast in, are you supposed to rely on gravity and the rigging to not allow for the base of the mast to pop out?

Also forgot to mention i work at a marina and we do awlgrip painting. I have been trained by the people from awgrip and i am prepping my hulls for a nice new coat, i will post some before and after pics. Soon this $400 cat will look like a million bucks (i hope we'll see how i do)

Yes, gravity and the force of the rig will keep the mast seated.

If you are really new to Hobies, the best thing to do is find someone that sails Hobies and ask them to look over your boat and to sail with them once or twice. Most folks will be thrilled to help! This site (and others) are very helpful,especially with a detailed question. But one sail outing with an experienced sailor, will save you asking a thousand questions here and having to wait for the answers to trickle in. I helped some new folks out last year, and they were SO THANKFUL that I felt embarrased. It was just another fun sail for me, and it was thrilling to see the look on faces that experienced the Hobie speed for the first time.

Welcome to the forum, 96hulk!
You'll find this is great place to pick up on soooo much info.
I, too, am a new Hobie owner. I've had my late '70's model H16 for about a year and have made all the common mistakes (sailed with the mast base pin still in, dropped the mast upon derigging, etc. etc.) I've learned a lot just by reading other people's questions and concerns.
Won't be sailing today cause it's just too darned cold in Michigan (I know, Matt, I'm being a wuss!)but I'm looking forward to a great season and Catamaran Sailor magazine and web site is a great place to help get you "into the groove".

Welcome, aboard!

Nick

I don't think anybody's a wuss for not sailing today.

It was (is) 38 degrees, rain and 20+ mph winds at Cass Lake. We went to the park, packed up the boat and were back home by 9:30 this morning.

It was dangerous cold.

Yeah, Rabs sent out an e-mail postponing this weekend's Fun Sail. Too bloody cold!
May in Michigan can be an interesting time. You really don't know what you're gonna get. Some years it's really warm, straight into summer temps and you wonder where spring went. Other years (like this one) you really wonder why we can't shake off the winter winds.

Well, here's hoping that this means we'll be sailing well into November this year!

Fair (and warm) winds,
Nick