Admins, thanks for the quick activation.
I sailed a rental Hobie a few times in Biloxi while in Air Force tech school back in 1981. And now all these years later I have purchased one. I could count all my outings on my hands without using my toes. So I’m a newb who likes to read a lot and go for it.
I bought a 1981 H18 a couple of weeks ago and I have had it out in light winds three times now. It appears mostly original. Deviations include 1983 prism sails, number 13069. And black plastic rudder cams with one broken and a missing plunger. Jib furler is inop and needs a tune up kit and new line. The tramp looks new but not sure if its Hobie brand, how to tell? The traveler needs help, too. The hulls appear to be in good shape overall. I have read here where to look for problems and about soft spots and I think I’m ok there. The only thing is a couple of gel coat chips in the point of one bow and the gel coat is rubbed off the bottom of the hulls, it is transparent looking inside out through the ports. However there are no cracks even on the area near the rollers, I know I should change to padded troughs. But I’m not sure if I should brush new gel coat on the thin area that runs the full length of both hulls.
This forum seems cordial and I think you guys and gals can put up with my need for newb advice. So I would like to outline my plans for repairs and upgrades to get feedback and avoid the pitfalls of my own making. I can post pictures but the boat is at a friend’s house and not close by.
The primary sailing will be Smith Lake in NW Alabama, and the lake at Guntersville is not far away, probably better there but I want to get more familiar with sailing at the lake I know best.
So far, here is the “tack” I’m taking. Any and all help, opinions, and advice are most welcome.
I don’t plan to do a rudder system upgrade, just new black cams, plungers and get them latching in and out properly. The rudder boltholes seem a little sloppy but have not removed them to check what’s up. Maybe the plastic washer kit, or the holes need to be repaired, I don’t know. Also the rudders are white polyester (?) I think. They have been overpainted with white paint as well and it is peeling off in places. I think I should strip the paint off, check the trailing edge shape and maybe repair the holes. I’m seeking advice in this area.
Almost all the sheets and lines are the wrong size or, in the case of the main, too short also. I have ordered new sheets and lines for everything, plus shock cords and a new jib halyard wire, mine is spliced and I’m unsure of its length.
The shrouds and forestay have cracked but not missing vinyl and I will inspect them carefully soon. I read that some folks replace them regularly but I believe inspection should indicate if this is needed. I will be very critical and replace if any imperfections are noted. I need to keep expenses to a minimum or I won’t be sailing.
Other parts ordered include a furler tune up kit, boom cleats, a rotator/diamond wire bolt (mine appears to be too long or stretched and it might have uneven tension from one side to the other. I’ll replace and adjust as needed.), factory traveler bearings ( I have the white balls but they are not round now and used up.), and some other parts I can’t think of right now.
I chose the factory traveler bearings for convenience of sourcing and I think the traveler will be centered most of the time, if not always. A beginner sailing in winds under 15mph most of the time equals a centered traveler? Is this correct? I wore the harness on the first outing but realized I had no need for it as of yet. Also any advice about tuning for light winds on a freshwater lake is welcome. I have read some about tuning but my experience level makes it difficult at this point to get a handle on it. I think I have ran everything too tight so far ( speaking of the downhaul and outhaul here mainly). The jib blocks have been fully forward so far, but I recently read what this affects and will check it out next time. One problem is the lake requires turns every two or three minutes and there is precious little time for me to figure out trim before the next tack. And I have had some trouble completing tacks as well.
And lastly, I have sailed with crew so far, but it is clear that I will have to learn to step the mast, and sail single-handed to be on the water as much as I would like. I’ll be trailering though my brother has a dock across the lake from the ramp I use. I tied up there for one night because I couldn’t get the main down. I understand now the problem with docking a Hobie so will not be doing that often. We capsized the boat and got the main down. It came loose when I touched it while slightly under water so I don’t know what happened. (that reminds me I ordered an Aussie loop ring but not sure if I should try it or not) But the fun part was the first time righting the boat. My righting line is tied to the top of the mast and I also know that is not necessarily the best place. With the line riding on the hull it wouldn’t even “know” where it’s attached until it rises off the hull and then the deed is as good as done anyway. I should move it to the dolphin striker I think.
Well, it looks like I have written a book for my first post. I apologize for that, but I’m anxious to make some repairs and hope for some wind on the lake soon.
If you guys can get through this post I would appreciate any feedback you have to offer.
And please correct any terminology I have wrong or any apparent conceptual mistakes.
thanks
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