Here is reacher;

Doug

Yehaw! A positive reply with reason to be optimistic. Reacher on your boat looks breat, well done.
I have checked your album and you have a little more ballast than me for the bigger winds. : )
Many thanks.

Warbird:

What do you weight. The boat is VERY manageable. If wind is to much, just travel out a bit and feather up in the puffs. It is a HOOT. We went out in 10-15 knots this weekend and had a blast.

Doug and Ashleigh Snell
Hobie 17 "Stress Free"
www.tcdyc.com

I am jealous! i spent the weekend house bound with hand damage after using a slim sheet and cutting them up. I think I am about 80kg at present.
Before I committed to this project I had a look around for an H17 and could not find one. Then I thought what the hell I have no F16s or Taipans to race against... take what I can from H17 and remain lighter on the beach. I am really enjoying the rebuild as I bet you did and I bet you love the result of your work.
The set up you have looks very much like my style and I am very happy I have it in the mix.
How do you find the rolled reacher with windage and if you can be bothered, no hurry, I would love a photo of the reacher system as the link you gave me is not very clear and I can't find a better shot of it.
I am pitching my boat for 8/15 and imagine it will be happy in those winds.
I am clear the speeds will be quicker than I am used to but also I am having many periods on my boats in high winds where everything seems to be in slow motion so am ready for the jump.

Warbird:

I don't really notice the windage when furled and the added advantages are nice. Whether in light air are really blowing the reacher is the way to go. I will try to get some photos soon for you as I now have a digital camera. If not this weekend I have a our big regatta on the 12th and 13th. Just remember you should furl going to weather in over 12 knots, it will beat the Pentex to death in over that. Reacher can't take the wind that the main can.

Doug

Thank you for the hint on furling.
My windrushs have taught me the value of arriving at the beach with one sail already rigged and I have often found the ease of return to beach just the bees knees.
Anytime with the photos would be great.

I had a thought about pressure on wing once trapping and of course the pressure DROPS hugely! a lot of the weight goes to the mast and rig and OFF the wings. The body weight is at that point pushing down the length of the frames and into the sheer strength of the bolts! It is far more likely I would break them while sit/hiking and working against foot straps with my body weight.

I think I need to chill about all of that.

Warbird:

My local guy said he could copy my reacher. Where are you located if you are interested?

Doug

New Zealand! : ) and I have someone lined up for the sails... : )
Bay of Islands...

l may visit you someday as I can work 3-4 week jobs anywhere once I get out of school as a NDT. My folks said NZ was AWESOME!! They traveled there before they passed away. Snow and sand at the same time. You will love the setup once you get it. Send photos when you get it done.

Doug
dsnell4 at houston dot rr dot com

sorry to hear about your folks. NZ is a special place but I have always wanted to sail the East coast of the states.

Warbird:

Mom was 89, Dad was 91, they had a good life. They are in a good place now. We are all going to move to Fort Walton-Pensacola Fla area wehn we get out of school. Fell in love with it when we got the Mystere 4.3 there.

Doug