H18 Outhaul

I spent yesterday afternoon sailing Sarasota Bay in the remnants of Faye. We had 8-10 mph winds with gusts to 20 or 25 as squalls moved through.

The outhaul just didn't want to budge in heavy air plus I hate those crappy wedge cleats. I've replaced my 3-1 downhaul with an 8-1. Is there a replacement available for the outhaul?

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The ox is slow but the earth is patient

While I'm not entirely qualified to answer your question, I suspect the outhaul is not very important, which is why you don't see many products or discussion on it.

Why did you want to adjust the outhaul?

I have always thought that you use the outhaul along with the downhaul to flatten the sail upwind or make it fuller downwind for better performance.

During the squalls yesterday I wanted to do the opposite because there weren't a lot of other boats out and I didn't really want to practice my righting procedures.

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The ox is slow but the earth is patient

It's easiest to adjust the outhaul if you ease the mainsheet first - especially if you want to increase the tension. I've never heard of an upgrade for the outhaul. It's usually more of a gross adjustment and not something that most people would be concerend about tweaking while sailing along (unlike the downhaul).

Some people upgrade the cleat with a harken spinlock for easier cleating and releasing.

sm

What if you moved the cleat in a bit, put a block on the existing line and then ran a line from cleat through the block and back. Would that effectively make it 4-1?

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The ox is slow but the earth is patient

Some of the internal boom systems use blocks for outhaul. I've never seen it rigged internally on the 18 boom but am certain it could be done. Pulley at the end of the boom and one inside would do it. Interesting idea but don't see much need for it as the outhaul is not typically trimmed during sailing.

My personal opinion ,buy a car rebuild kit.Clean the track out.(you must drill the rivets out anyway)Put new shockcord in and forget about it.In 25 years of sailing Hobies I have never found the outhaul adj. worth messing with once I setup for the day.You can load the boom up by really honking in on the line but this does little ,(in my opinion) to alter the sail pocket shape above the first batten.I think you may be overthinking this adjustment.
Shawn
82 H18 #8211
Div.3

I have to agree. Trying to make the outhaul more sophisticated is really adding complication to something that doesn't need to be complicated. Make sure the stock system works smoothly and that the cleat holds and you should be good.

Even during races, I rarely ever adjust the outhaul, it just doesn't make that much difference.

sm

Nice to hear the outhaul is not worth the trouble. I was just reading the HobieU.pdf and was about to ask the same questions here.

fwiw HobieU says

light wind downhaul - Bottom batten 1" - 2" draft
moderate air - Bottom batten 0" - 1" draft
heavy air - tight

I recall the Performance Manual saying 3 to 5 inches in light air, that's what we used and it worked well, especially with light air and choppy water when you need power.

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Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

Hey J.S. This isn't about the outhaul ....
I have a H18 and am about 40 miles south of you in Punta Gorda. I thought we might be able to help each other out now and then, and share some info about rigging etc.
I tried to email you, but it came back undelivered, so the address must be bad. My email link works, so send me an email, and we can get acquainted.
I'm interested to know if you use that Cheata motor mount, and do you like it? I may want to buy one for my 18.
Thanks,
Jerry

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Life's a reach ......and then you gybe.

The only time I worry/use the outhaul is when going down wind, helps for a fuller sail, pulling it tighter will just hurt the sail. Try it when on shore - not gonna help later on.

Rather ease your mast rotation to full to kill power, centre the traveller and sheet out main, encouraging twist.

Hey HotWings. I just switched to FIOS from Earthlink/BrightHouse. I have updated my profile. I couldn't find an email in your profile.

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The ox is slow but the earth is patient

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I would rather be sailing than talking about sailing!