Hobie 17 square top

I just bought a Hobie 17.
Any photos of same with square top?

check out whirlwind sails

http://www.whirlwindsails.com/photos.htm

Here's mine (Attachment). It's a Calvert boomless, and I added the "super jib". I ordered them through Murray's, but suspect you could get them right here too. Brian

You will LOVE the 17 with a squaretop, especially when the wind is 15 and up. It will fly. Here is my old one.

Doug

Thanks guys, that is great, but Doug, I can't see your one.....??

Warbird, attached is one of mine. From Sabre Sails...nice addition....Tom G

How much different is the Tiger main from a custom square top? Could you put a used Tiger main on a Hobie 17? Could you also add the spinnaker?

A Tiger's mast is about 3' longer than a 17's and the sail luff is probably 18" longer. The foot of the Tiger's sail doesn't have the "upsweep" that a 17's boom requires - it's fairly level.

You'd have to remove the hook on the Tiger headboard, too.

Other than that, it's a perfect fit. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The 17's bows are very tender laterally - that's why a bow foil is used on the sport version. You'd have to be very careful with the spin that you didn't overload the bows.

Sorry Attachment didn't take. It was a BAD boy!!! Have a custom one made, Pentex is real nice.

Doug

Here's my 17 Hobie with a ''super jib''~(from Murrays).
I don't have a square top, but it goes.. I don't think it's a good idea to put a ''spin'' on it. I've been told the mast wouldn't take the load unless ya have ''diamond wires'' Alotta stress on the hulls to, they are tender <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

I also had a custom reacher made for mine. Sabre should have the specs some where.

Doug

This should answer the question. I have sailed with this spin for a couple of years now, in winds as high as 20 knots. In high winds the main must be centered, the sheet never released, downhaul off.
BTW, yes that is a 14 foot pole and a 235 sq ft chute.

Phil, Did you have to modify the mast to handle the extra load of the chute?

If you add spin, NEVER put it up without main cleated in tight in pretty tight. You will SNAP the computip!!

Doug

Doug, you should ad that since the 17 has such a skinny tapered comptip that a back stay is recomended. The main sheeted in will only help for so long till the thing grenades on you.

Lee

This should answer the question. I have sailed with this spin for a couple of years now, in winds as high as 20 knots. In high winds the main must be centered, the sheet never released, downhaul off.
BTW, yes that is a 14 foot pole and a 235 sq ft chute. [/quote]

Holy crap, that is great! What Chute did you use and how far up the mast is the tang?

How does the boat compete with other cats?

Holy crap, that is great! What Chute did you use and how far up the mast is the tang?

How does the boat compete with other
cats? [/quote]

The mast is stock with comp tip, no mods other than the tang for the chute.

The boat is still hibernating at the club, so this is from memory. The tang about 25 ft from the base. The sail is custom from Whirlwind Sails.

The picture was taken during the 2007 Statue of Liberty Race. I made up alot of ground with the chute after being stuck in the Narrows with no air and a foul tide for 45 mins on the upwind leg. I corrected to a 3rd place finish.

Phil, You are an inspiration! Don't know if I'll ever get around to it, but it sure would be fun to run one of those babies on my boat! Thanks !

Phil - did you make any mods to the forestay / bridles? I notice you don't use a bow foil (like on the 17 Sports) to reduce the lateral compression on the bows.

Also, how tight do you carry the rig? The 17 tends to like a looser rig (so the mast rotates freely). How does that work with the pre-bend in the pole?

Ditto. I don't want to break the boat but this looks like a very sensible option.

No mods to standing rigging.
The spinny doesn't load up the bows like a jib or hooter. Mine is also not cut as flat as as an F18 chute. I cannot reach as high as they do if the wind is up. But in light air I am close to boat for boat with them going downhill. The long pole gives me more lift than normal which help keep the boat from tripping over its low buoyancy bows, they sometimes actually lift out of the water. I wildthing in anything over 5 knots. It also helps me bear off when a puff hits.
The rig is very tight, I tried it loose and both the mast and pole wandered like a couple of drunks. I use the same mast positive rotation setup that I use with the stock boat.

Maybe this will help you do more than think about it.....

The stock 17 is a beautiful boat to sail upwind, but a real dog going back down. Still you do it so you can go back up again.
Well, with the chute, I wont say I don't like going to weather anymore, but I can't wait to pop the chute and go on a sleighride.
I was very reluctant to practice sailing stock for the NA's last year.