Hi guys:)
I recently put the 6-1 downhaul system on my boat. Seems to be going well, but I've got a question.
At a recent regatta, the overall winner, was de-rigging next to me and I asked him for some pointers. His main advise was that my jib uphaul was too tight (but my boat is very old compared to his new one- so i crank it to get a better luff on my old jib) and that i should really crank the downhaul. He cautioned me to make sure the old boat can take the strain, but said,"Downhaul equals pointing". And that I should really go for it.
Now I was under the impression that I should only really crank it in really strong winds to spill air and de-power the sail, and in very light winds to flatten the sail to allow the wind to flow over the sail easier.
He got this advise from a previous Hobie 16 World champion, so although it goes against what I've read, I'm curious to see what others think?

Clint <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Odd...

Class rules do not allow downhaul past the black band, so... is he doing more than that? The 6:1 is just easier and quicker. New or old boat should be a non-issue.

The adjustment made is not past the black band. The adjustment i'm talking about is between (using the numbered sticker) 2 and 7let's assume.
When I pull the down haul to say 5,it scares me how much the mast bends. Although this weekend on an up leg, a difference in the down haul from 2 to 4.5 seemd to make a difference in the boat speed <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I set my downhaul as follows for 320 lb. crew weight: very light wind - 2.5 inches above the black band; moderate wind (to 12 kts.) - 2 inches abb; windy (12+ kts.) 1.5 inches abb.
Your downhaul needs may vary.

I've searched the rules and can't find the definition of what can't go "past the black band". Bottom of the boom??? Top of the boom???

Matt - the rules changed this year to allow downhauling past the black band.

Rule 4.4 in the H-16 rules (compare this year's to last years).