| Re: I know not what I do
[Re: RonnieCache]
#43843 02/03/05 03:06 PM 02/03/05 03:06 PM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 1,252 California mmiller
veteran
|
veteran
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,252 California | Counseling to make you stop? You are going to need counseling to make you stop, so you can work or be with the wife, or other day to day issues. Sailing is addictive, but is excellent thearapy for life. Sailng is not to be considered "a problem"... the rest is the problem! You have a nice looking Hobie 16. The largest class of catamarans in the World. The gelcoat can be painted, but the boat would be heavier and therefore slower. I would guess your son would likely get over the color in favor of lighter weight. You can download a manual from the Hobie Cat website. You can also find videos about assembly and other books and videos about sailing and racing them here on catsailor.com or www.hobiecat.comAlso, take a look at the Hobie Class Association website for racing information: www.hca-na.orgCongratulations on the new boat and Welcome! | | | Re: I know not what I do
[Re: mmiller]
#43844 02/03/05 06:54 PM 02/03/05 06:54 PM |
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 217 West Texas JaimeZX
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 217 West Texas | Look at the manual Matt posted for how to set up the boat. Assuming the sails are in good condition (and I don't know why they wouldn't be) then it looks like you could start sailing right away. You should make getting a righting line a priority, though, since eventually you're going to flip it and then you'll have to get it back up again! Fancy ones are available from the Hobie Cat company ( http://www.hobiecat.com/support/pdfs/16_17.pdf ), Murray's ( http://www.murrays.com/archive/45-46.pdf ), or you can do like me and just get a big thick 25' rope, tie a loop in the middle around the dolphin striker, and run it around each front pylon to the back pylons. Then I used bungee cord to hold the ends in. (Bungee diagram in the Murray's link.) Lots of pics feature the rope setup on my boat at my site. ( www.JaimeZX.com/Boating/Hobie parts 4, 5, & "Random pics.") The type with the internal bungee cord, however, is the best I've used. I might get one of those this season. Once you guys get used to the boat, you'll want to get a set of (double) trapeze wires and some harnesses, but that may be a month or three into your sailing when you've gained a bit of confidence. At the top of your list of stuff to buy, however, I would put Rick White's book Catamaran Sailing: For the '90s. Every serious H16 sailor I've met so far has one in his library. Congrats, good luck, and welcome!
Warm regards,
Jim
| | | Re: I know not what I do
[Re: RonnieCache]
#43846 02/04/05 10:33 AM 02/04/05 10:33 AM |
Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 206 Virginia USA CMerrell
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 206 Virginia USA | Congratulations! Don't worry about getting addicted to cat sailing, after a while it will seem normal . It looks like you have picked up a very nice, ready-to-sail H16 for a very good price. That's the good news. The bad news is that to make this boat even minimally ready for racing, you are going to have to spend a bit more. Even so, getting into cat racing is relatively inexpensive and good racing is available at a skill and cost level with which you are comfortable. Of immediate concern: Hulls: From your picture, the hulls appear to be in really good shape. I would not go through the expense, labor and added weight of painting them. Instead buff out the oxidation with a random orbital buffer and buffing compound. Then seal the gel coat with Starbrite/Maguires-type boat polish. I think even your son (I'm assuming he's a teenager) will be impressed with the results. Rigging: It seems likely that you have the original shrouds/forestay/bridle/trapeze(s). Replace all of these and upgrade to a double trapeze. Purchase (2) trapeze harnesses. Righting system: Can be as simple or as complex as you wish. Main blocks: The OE is a Seaway 5:1 system (2 single upper blocks and a double block over a ratchet block on the bottom). Replace with a 2.25 inch 6:1 system (triple on top, triple on the bottom). Wind vane: A bridle mounted wind vane is vital, especially for downwind sailing. Also replace any telltales on the sails that have become frayed. Rudder pins: Get a couple of sets of aluminum rudder pins. They wear quickly. Recommended: Batten caps: Get a complete set of the black batten caps for the jib and main. On the main, one cap goes on the inboard end and one (adjustable) on the outboard end. The OE white ones will crack and fall apart (if they havn't already). Downhaul upgrade: Add the little plastic bearings for the gooseneck and a block for the downhaul. Beach wheels: Roleez or Cat Trax. Saves your back and the bottom of your hulls. Tramp: Examine the tramp carefully. UV will degrade the vinyl. To be class legal, a new tramp must be from Hobie. Lace the tramp as tight as possible as this is critical for a stiff boat. Future upgrades: Jib adjustment system: There are numerous upgrade kits. Requires adding cleats and turning blocks. Comp Tip: Class required modification to your mast. You can get away without it for a while but it is required. You can butcher your existing mast or buy a new factory mast w/ CT and then sell your old one. Aussie halyard system: Reduces mast compression and allows easier rotation in light wind. Rudder upgrade: Replace the crappy Lexan rudders with the FRP "racer" rudders. Mucho $$. New parts are available from many sources: Cat Sailor website, Hobie, Murrays and Sailing and Ski Connection in Myrtle Beach. Used parts can be had from Dan "Cat Reaper" Berger in Virginia Beach. SC is in Division 9 of HCA of NA (is/was NAHCA). Loyd Graves in Raleigh is the Division Chairman (e-mail addy at the class website). Also consider attending the Spring Fever Regatta on Lake Hartwell, GA on March 25-27. SFR is the early spring Woodstock of cat racing. Show up even if you don't intend to race. You can get enough free advice to fill a book! This forum is an excellent resource. H16 sailors of all abilities, including some very experienced racers, post here. If you have questions, please ask. Sailors here love to relate their experiences and dispense free advice . The forums at Hobie Cat are also a good resource although I would say they are more focused toward general interest than racing. Welcome aboard! | | | Re: I know not what I do
[Re: JaimeZX]
#43847 02/04/05 11:39 AM 02/04/05 11:39 AM |
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 3,355 Key Largo, FL and Put-in-Bay, ... RickWhite
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,355 Key Largo, FL and Put-in-Bay, ... | JaimeZX's recommendations were fine, except our own www.OnLineMarineStore.com also sells the same products. For righting system, just go to http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&grp=146There you will see a choice of the many righting systems available -- the best bang for the buck is the Power Righter. and for the book of Catamaran Racing: For the 90s go to http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jqcmhpjpeand you really should.., no MUST get the 5 sailing videos at http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jsdomprmk. No one has ever done a teaching video prior to these coming on the market and they are professionally done. This is info directly from my Sailling Seminars that I conduct each year in Key Largo in April. For info on the seminars check out www.sailingseminars.comOr, you could do it like I did it back in the 60s when I started sailing.., make a lot of mistakes, break up the boat by capsizing and hitting things and finish last place in most races. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Good luck, and most importantly, have fun, Rick | | | Re: I know not what I do
[Re: CMerrell]
#43848 02/04/05 12:06 PM 02/04/05 12:06 PM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 975 South Louisiana, USA Clayton
old hand
|
old hand
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 975 South Louisiana, USA | Dang Merrill don't scare the guy!!! Let him get his feet wet first and have fun. First check the boat out like they said, rigging etc and make sure its safe. Then as you sail and get comfortable with the boat, check out the others your area and determine what you might want to upgrade first. The whole procedure is fun, upgrade as your skills get better. JMO for what its worth, Clayton | | | Re: I know not what I do
[Re: RonnieCache]
#43849 02/04/05 04:31 PM 02/04/05 04:31 PM |
Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 23 South Carolina RonnieCache OP
stranger
|
OP
stranger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 23 South Carolina | Your not scaring me off. I appreciate the information and glad to have found this site. Yes son is 17, and I like the idea of buffing the hulls the color wont make it faster. I like Lake hartwell, I have kayaked there several times with a friend from work. I'll bee there ready or not. | | | SAY WHAT?
[Re: Clayton]
#43851 02/05/05 11:11 AM 02/05/05 11:11 AM |
Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 206 Virginia USA CMerrell
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 206 Virginia USA | Okay, maybe I need some counseling too. My recommendations were from the perspective of what I would do to get a 1983 boat ready to do some racing. I agree that if the sailing skills are not quite there then the first priority is to get time on the boat. Tiller time is the cheapest go fast gear you can "buy". Rick's books and videos move you up the curve even faster. Ronnie spent $450 on what appears to be a boat in very good condition and is ready to sail recreationally. Hopefully he has some additional change to make some upgrades. I've seen folks show up to regattas with badly blown out sails, polypro rope for tramp lacing, etc. Such boats cannot be competetive and it has to be frustrating for the sailors. You need both decent equipment (but not neccessarily every go fast gadget) and decent skills. Kind of a yin and yang thing, have to feed both sides. | | | Re: I know not what I do
[Re: RonnieCache]
#43854 02/05/05 02:04 PM 02/05/05 02:04 PM |
Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 35 Hudson Valley whoa
newbie
|
newbie
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 35 Hudson Valley | Simply amazing! Somebody in this thread said that this forum was a great learning place. That is an understatement if ever there was one. I am a bit burned though. Reading about an '83 used 9 times bought for $450 is depressing I bought a well worn '83 last fall for $1000 I do appreciate my white hulls though Hey Jaimezx, I have seen that picture of your boat(very similar to the ones just about everybody on this forum has) about a hundred times since I bought my boat- twice just on this thread Could you at least change the pic? Thanks. cmerrell, I appreciate all your tips, but what is an Aussie halyard system? I think my boat came with a system that takes compression off the mast and step with the little metal glob that locks under that fork up there. Hey don't worry Rick, I think most forum users are aware of the OnLineMarineStore. I am using the forum to figure out what I need to order first so I am ready when the ice goes out Everybody, keep those suggestions flowing! | | | Re: I know not what I do
[Re: RonnieCache]
#43857 02/06/05 10:42 AM 02/06/05 10:42 AM |
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 5,558 Key Largo, FL & Put-in-Bay, OH... Mary
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,558 Key Largo, FL & Put-in-Bay, OH... | I'm not sure what you mean by "gear." You have a boat, you have a motor (the sails), you have a trailer to get it to the water. At this point the only gear you need is life jackets and a paddle (backup motor). (And, of course, you need a trailer license.) Go sailing for the first time with an onshore wind and stay close to shore in case the mast falls down. If that happens, you will know what you need to buy for the boat. If you get cold, you will know what you need to buy for yourself. Sailing can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. Sort of like snow skiing. The first year we lived in Vail, I skied with second-hand equipment and wore bluejeans and a Kmart jacket. If you don't even know whether you are going to like sailing or like a particular boat, why would anybody spend a lot of money on doing it? Just do it with what you have and see what happens. | | |
|
0 registered members (),
673
guests, and 163
spiders. | Key: Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod | | Forums26 Topics22,405 Posts267,056 Members8,150 | Most Online2,167 Dec 19th, 2022 | | |