Mast rotator rigging / use

I have an 82' H18 and can't quite figure out how to rig or use the mast rotator. Can someone help guide me through it?

I've read about situations where the mast should/could be rotated to 110 degrees. I don't see how that's possible, but maybe becuase I haven't seen the rigging set up. It seems as if the side stays would wrap around the mast too much. Maybe someone could help explain.

Thanks!!

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1982 Hobie 18

Have you rigged it correctly?
See page 59 of the 2006-07 catalogue, or look up the parts diagram on the net. Go to the boom.
Without a boom in front of me, I can't remember if there are two cleats on the top of the boom or three. Not that it matters. So from memory, the 3/16ths" line runs from a cleat 61070000 near the front of the boom through the end of the rotation bar #61210001, and back to another cleat 61070000 further towards the rear of the boom. (The middle cleat.) If you have only two cleats, then forward cleat = rotator adjuster, and rear cleat = outhaul. Rest is the same.

This is not to be confused with the cleat that secures the outhaul. (The "end" cleat.)

Adjust rotation at the front/middle cleat.

If you have already got that all done, then try 'really tight' for in medium to strong wind, and 'loose' in light wind. Tighter means the end of the bar will line up parallel with the boom.

Adjust in conjunction with the downhaul and outhaul to get the best sweet spot in the main, depending on wind, weight of crew and wave height. Lots on the Forum on this one. Hope this helps. If still not clear, I have my boom in the basement, and can check. Leave a post on the Forum as required.

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2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

Rotation is going to be limited by shroud tension. I can't think of a reason to rotate it 110 degrees nor have I ever read that this is recommended for the 18. It would require a positive rotation device to hold it at that angle even dead downwind. I typically set mine so that it points at the shrouds with the sail centered. I have forgotten most of the downwind adjustments since adding the spin. None of my booms have 3 cleats on them, only 2. I tie off on the rotator and use the first cleat to adjust. The proper setup is to tie off on the cleat, go thru the rotator and back to the cleat. It gives you a 2-1 if set this way and is easier to adjust while sailing, I tend to set it and forget it. It is also possible you have the old style rotator with a pulley on the end, replace it. I have had that rotator bend in strong air and its not a good thing, the 2 arms connected with a clevis is just not strong enough.

That is really good info....THANKS!!
I'll look at my boom this evening and see what's there. I just bought the boat and only sailed it once; without any mast rotation rigged. I plan on sailing her tomorrow so I'll print all this out and see where it gets me.

I definately have the older style rotator arm...I'll get to replacing it this winter. Thanks for the tip.

The 110 rotation came from Rick Whites racing for the 90's book. He wasn't referencing any particular boat.

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1982 Hobie 18

Silly me, there are only two cleats on the top of the boom.

I checked over the weekend, and wished I could be sailing instead of raking up leaves, especially with the temperatures at 22C - 72F and SW wings up to 20 mph.

Yes, Mr. M., I got rid of my old style rotator bar, the one with the pulley on. It gets jammed and bends easier than the new style. We also moved the cleat about 8" further aft on the boom, for better leverage.

Like most H18 sailors, we lock it tight for most sailing, and go looser in light winds or running.

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2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

The pully and cleat are real close. I'll move mine back some too...maybe 6or 8 inches. As it is now the pulley hits the cleat some. Probably one of the reasons I couldn't figure out where to hook up the rotator; thinking that it couldn't be on that cleat.

Anyway...I had the boat out in some real wind on Saturday, 15kt+ (guessing). WOW WOW WOW...what a speed demon. By far the fastest thing on the lake. I can't beleive the power this things gains from the wind. So much fun!! Between my wife and I hooting and hollering, and the rudders whistling; everybody else on the water had to hear us coming. We get back to shore and my wife immediately calls her sister to tell her of our fun...."We were going at least 50mph!!!" I laughed silently.

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1982 Hobie 18

Glad to hear you enjoyed the boat, Luffed. I don't like to go out until I see white caps on the water, and in winds less than that I'll go out only if someone wants to learn to sail. Friends who don't sail have been known to scoff at my wind speed requirement and label me a snob, but many minds have been changed once they, too, know the difference a good wind makes.

For another level of excitement wait until your first capsize or pitchpole with your wife. Yeah. . . that'll separate the women from the girls, and maybe separate you from the bed to the couch that night.

I can see getting to that point with the wind, but right now I'll go out behind a decent fart just to get on the water.

Oh...the day(s) of capsize will come. I could have easily lifted the hull on Saturday, but this was maybe my 4th time sailing ever and I really didn't want to discourage the wife. I'm just happy that I have enough skills/knowledge to keep it under control. I'll admitt...I was nervous going out. I went back out Sunday and the wind was much more calm and I feel like I increased my skills with the boat.

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1982 Hobie 18

Did you get her out on the trapeze? It sounds scary at first, but after one gets used to it it becomes a much more comfortable postition to sail. Then try putting the trust she has in you on the line and fly a hull with her out there. The hard part is convincing the crew to lean further out when the hull lifts too high for comfort. Fear tells one to get back on the boat, but physics says one is better off throwing one's head and arms back.

As for the fear of a capsize, forget it. With the boat heeled so much it will lose power and be moving a lot slower, so if/when you do go over it's like jumping down into the water. Capsizes are a big deal the first couple times, but when you learn the dynamics of it through the experience the fear goes away (and in my case capsizes become fun). Whatever you do, do everything you can to NOT jump feet-first into the sail to avoid tearing it.

Pitchpoles, on the other hand, are never fun.

1:20:15 PM - On boat
1:20:16 PM - 40 feet in front of boat.

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Tim
Unofficial Fleet 72 Communications Officer and Div 4 Webmaster
http://www.hobiefleet72.org
http://www.div4.hobieclass.com/

'Pitchpoles, on the other hand, are never fun.'

THAT is the reason I went to an 18 from the 16 in 1988. Just could not stand that downwind reach that felt like a rocking chair on ice.

Sooner or later your wife will get used to flipping the boat, like Skipshot says, once your over that far your speed has really fallen off.

One of our first times out on the 18, it was blowing 20+ and we just could not slow her down, even with the sheets/sails fully eased. It was then I realized I had a hot rod... what fun!

now that I have her back after a 13 year absence, I can't wait to get an asymetric on her!

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Chris
'88 H18SE Arís

I owned a 16 for many years... never capsized... moved up to a 18... started to brag.... bad call.... We were hanging out on an island in clearwater fl.... i was filming people fly over my head and decided i should try it.... I should have known that when i get on camera either i would capsize or explosive diarrhea would kick in..... Thank god it was the first option...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTznLz-lojg