New Sailor, a few questions about getting going

Hello,
Just activated my account after reading all the helpful information for the past few days. Thanks for such an active and useful site.

I have a few questions about getting going. History: I purchased an older Hobie 16 after catching the sailing bug on butterflies and laser. I really have only sailed a dozen times or so, but have a pretty good sense for what is going on. (Should be read as: just enough knowledge to be really dangerous!) In any case, last weekend was the first time out on a friend's Hobie and now I am itching to get mine up and running. Here are my questions:

The Jib halyard line (just learning names) looks pretty worn, almost line old cloths line. I read that 1/4" or 3/16" by 20' or 32' is the correct line? Could someone clear up this difference?

The aft traveler for main sheet block is sticky. It slides, but is rough. Is this important and what lube could I use for this and other moving parts? I read somewhere that the travelers (jib and main) are not too important for beginners, which I most definitely am. Is this true?

All the cables have been recently replaced and look in very good shape.

The rudder and tiller look original. People have said in general to replace the cam and rudder pin, but they look in quite good shape and I am inclined to start with it as is. Mistake?

My main block set has two separate upper blocks that attach to the boom. I gather that this is an older style, rather than the single set of triple blocks. Any issues here?

The batons on my jib stick out way past (2"+) the sail. They are tied in and then taped over. Any reason not to shorten them? What about the tape?

The boat is a bit dirty and I would like to clean it up. Just wash and polish with buffing compound, then wax? What wax?

The hulls look to be solid without soft spots. How can I check the bow tangs?

There is a length of 1/2 diameter line, ~7' long running from each shroud around the aft frame back to the bow frame and tied. It looks like a line for righting the boot, but the spliced eye around the shroud does not look like a good place to put any pressure for righting. I can't see undoing the shroud in the event of going over. Any thoughts what this legacy line might be?

Any other sage advice before I put on my Baby Bob and try to rig her up for the first time?

Many thanks for your time!

-Brad

Congratulations Brad on your purchase and welcome to a great forum!

By the sounds of things you haven’t rigged or set the boat up to make sure you have everything. I’d start by finding a safe area free of power lines, trees etc. to raise the mast, (make sure the mast hinge pin is installed) and fully rig the boat. Don’t be surprised to find that a shackle, pin or ring ding is missing.

Cleaning the boat is a great first step for improvement. I’ve used generic kitchen and bath cleaners purchased at the dollar store to easily knock off dirt and mold. Any wax will work at this point as I’m sure you’ll be doing it again and can improve as you go along. I’d caution you on waxing the tops of the hulls or at least the areas around the tramp for obvious reasons.

If your standing rigging is in good shape the next big step I would suggest is inspecting/replacing your lines and halyards. Another good thing to do is reseal all rivets on the mast with silicone sealant.

I’ve attached a link to some very good reading. Easy things to do like tightening the tramp will improve performance at minimal cost.

http://www.cat44.com/hobie-16-tuning-tips.htm

If your confident the boat is ready to go, hit the water and enjoy. One word of caution, use your life jacket!!! I just rescued three idiots who flipped a canoe last weekend, none of them wearing theirs or could really swim.. Things can happen fast, especially as the wind picks up!

Welcome aboard, BradO,

Make friends with your nearest Hobie dealer by ordering one through him, and have a Hobie catalog sent with the order. In it you'll find the names, number, and cost of every part.

Yes.
Try a silicone lubricant and avoid oil based ones like WD-40 since oil attracts dirt and sand.
No. You should learn to use everything on the boat.
No. Try it and if the rudders kick up smoothly and lock down securely then you're laughing. If not then consider replacing them.
Yep, they are older, and nope, they shouldn't be a problem. If they work use them. If they are worn or cracked and you have the dough then get new ones.
No.
Try sailing without the tape after shortening the battens. To keep the battens from hanging up on halyards you'll need to use a combination of shortened battens, good tacking technique, and when those two fail, stand up and separate the jib from the halyard by hand (usually in light winds).
Try cleaning with Barkeepers Friend or Bon Ami, and if that doesn't do it then you'll need either to try something stronger; search this forum for something stronger. Make friends with your Hobie dealer and buy some wax through him with the halyard.
Maybe you should include new bow tangs with your order, and keep the old ones as spares. I've seen them break under sail.
Probably a righting line. Your shrouds can take the pressure, but it's not necessary. My antique 16 tramp doesn't have tramp pockets so I've stored my righting line by wrapping one end around a front pylon, around the dolphin striker, then wrapped around the opposite pylon. When it's needed for righting I unwrap the lower end, throw it over the high hull and learn out. If you have tramp pockets or a bag in which to store a righting line then tie one end to the dolphin striker and stuff the rest away for when you need it (and you'll need it).
Check your mast for leaks by dunking it in a lake. If you see bubbles you'll need to reseal the leaks as you don't want a mast filling with water making righting impossible.
Check the hull plugs and maybe put new ones in with your order.
Spray the main sail luff and mast luff track with silicone lube to ease hoisting.
Check the shroud anchor bolts for bends (unscrew them completely), and if bent put new ones in with your order.

Have fun!

The jib halyard is 20'. the jib sheet is 32'.
A catalogue definitely makes figuring out all the parts & pieces easier.
A good relationship with a Hobie dealer is very helpful. Call and talk to them- they are eager to be helpful.
Definitely cut your jib battens. You can use a hack saw. It'll make tackiing much easier.
If you are going to be solo sailing, you should get a righting bag. If you search the forums, you'll see much written about whether one person can or can't right a 16. Most people can't, but a few can- go figure.
Welcome to the forum. Consider adding your location to your profile information. Last year was my first season on a Hobie and learning was a blast. This forum is a terrific resource.

_________________
Alfred
'87 H16 Sail 89907
If you aren't sailing on the edge, you're taking up too much room.