i've ust started sailing a hobie16 and i'm haing problems with tacking from wire to wire.there aren't any cats around where we're sailing so i dont have anyone to look at and learn.we're bot new to the cats.though have been sailng monohulls fo a long time.we've been having a blast the last few weeks taking the cat out.but want to get seriously into it now.i was wondering if anyone coud maybe give some answers/suggetions regarding my followin querries....

A.what are the cew actions and the helmsman's actions during a tack in about 15 knots wind with swelly seas?as of now (just to avoid those nasty nose up capsizes)we've been dpoing it this way:

Helm:
1. goes in
2. then bears in and eases the main a bit.
3. Gets on the other side ond hooks on.
Crew:
1. (asthe helm goes in) goes aft on the wire
2. eases the jib (to help the bow swinging in to the wind)
3. as the boat goes through head to wind, crosses over and sheets the jib in then takes over the main and the traveller.
4.hand over the main sheet and keeps the traveller.



This is how we've been doing it.but,dont want to develop any bad habits.any chance i can get a step by step procedure how to go about it?like i said,we dont have anyone to see and learn over here....

B.i was just going through the class rules where it says that adjustable Trapeze wires are permitted.Do most people use them?are they better of?do they use the same system as a 420?

C.What about foot straps on the side bars?are they allowed and good in especially rough seas?
can you suggest some techniques to improve boat handling?(e.g.in the 420's,we used to sail with the rudder blade up)
Thank You very much!

A good place to start is the hobie university which is found at www.hobieclass.com It's a great place to get a lot of information on hobies.

While easing the jib on a monohull gets the boat around, on a cat it is normal to backwind the jib to help push the bows around as a cat doesn't turn that well. As you improve, the amount you backwind the jib will lessen to zero.

I guess adjustable trapeze lines are a personal preference. I've seen many people with them and many people without. Also same with footstraps (mind you remember that it's easy to twist an ankle if you capsize while in a footstrap). Perhaps someone else who has tried both with and without straps and adjustable trapezes can give you the pros and cons.

I've read here about some people sailing with the rudders up but I don't really get it, if my rudders are up even a little bit I have ridiculous weather helm. I'd like a bit more of an explanation about this particular subject.

1) Begin to turn into the wind slowly (rate of turn is a big thing and takes practice).
2) Come in off the wire as the boat heads up (skipper and crew)
3) Skipper ease the main about two feet.
4) Crew cross the boat, let the jib back wind but ease it a little.
5) When the boat is below close hauled on the new course crew trims the jib on the new side.
6) As the jib goes over the skipper is crossing to the windward side
7) Skipper trims the main
8) Both back on the wire

Put the windward rudder up down wind. It should be ALL the way up so that it is out of the water.
Leave them both down upwind.

its not really very effective with hobie's due to their kickup system, the If you can get most of the rudder completely out of the water you get no weather helm. It works well on my nacra, but the rudder system is different. You are most defiately correct to not bother with it if weather helm is a problem, its not worth the tiny little edge it gives you. Plus if youir fighting weather helm its lsowing you down, its like dragging the rudder behind you in sideways in the water.