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PostPosted: Wed May 07, 2014 6:03 pm 
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Joined: Wed May 07, 2014 5:27 pm
Posts: 9
Location: Barhamsville, Va
Hello everyone. I've been stalking the forum for a couple of months for info and finally registered. I recently bought at 16' and needed to do a "little" work on it. Seemed like a fair deal with lots of extras included in the sale. What could go wrong?

Got it home.
Fixed soft spots, and found that someone had already done a lousy job of trying to fix them when I pulled up the anti-skid tape on the bows (surprise). No biggie. Just another order of West System.
Replaced entire rudder cam setup including buying the tap (anyone want to buy it?).
Salt water boat so I replaced a couple of clews, batten pockets, lines and caps.
New main sheet so I can move the old one to a righting line.
Stepped the mast solo with a redundant system using old climbing gear. Overkill. Worked like a charm. Lowered the mast in similarly secure manner.
Decided to add vent/inspection ports aft of front pylon. No problem. Enjoying my new project. This is FUN?!
Decided to fix a couple of cracks that had been fixed with caulk for some reason. Good price on gelcoat and I get a chance to try something new. Works great. I'm about ready to sail right?
Replaced shrouds with new ones that came with boat.
Re-analyzing the jib cleat setup (this is an 81 but I also got some newer crossbars in the deal).
Go to confidently step the mast again, solo, with a tweaked and streamlined system. (mistake) Ran into a problem, couldn't get it up further, couldn't lower the mast because of the climbing ascender that was locking it in place. Untied the halyard and started walking towards the bow. Realize that the boat was not strapped down to the trailer when it tipped forward, throwing me off balance, dropping the mast with it hitting the metal rack on our wood pile.
Big dent 2' south of tang.
Used all of my " special words".
Found a replacement mast source.
Walked out this evening to see if I needed anything else and I have absolutely no idea why, but the left rudder, which was in the up position, just dropped. It's broken at the aft bolt hole.
More of those "special words", a trip to the beer cooler, and then this post to the forum.

So, first off "hello and thank you for all of the good information I've gleaned so far". And secondly, I really don't want to spend much more money on this before I get it in the water this year, but what's the best, low cost replacement material/source for rudders these days? After what happened to mine I'm reluctant to buy any more used ones. Any suggestions or donations to the beer cooler would be appreciated.

Can't wait to sail this thing!


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PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2014 4:38 pm 
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Joined: Mon Jan 27, 2014 1:34 pm
Posts: 109
Location: Bellingham, Washington
Welcome to the forum!
As to the rudder replacement, I'm not much help being on the opposite coast. If you can't find one by posting on craigslist and really want to pay the shipping, I have one I'll sell ya. Hopefully someone near you will have one.

Having the mast fall is a real bummer and I can't imagine that it is not worse on the water. With that in mind I would replace the shroud anchors, forestay bridles and hardware. Cheaper than replacing\repairing the sail after losing the mast and ruining a great day on the water.

I'm sure you have already, but have a look at the "good" rudder to make sure that there are no obvious problems.

It sounds like you are on your way to getting the solo raising down, but you don't really need much in the way of gear. Just attach a block\pully to your winch post, tie a 10' length of line to the end of your halyard. Cleat off the halyard on the mast. Run the extended halyard end through the pully and back through the jib sheet cleat. Climb up, raise the mast, cleat the main halyard to the jib sheet cleat, hop down and attach the forestay. No muss, no fuss.

Todd

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Hobie 21SE
Bellingham, WA


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PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2014 5:47 pm 
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Joined: Wed May 07, 2014 5:27 pm
Posts: 9
Location: Barhamsville, Va
Thanks for the positive vibes. I think it's all worked out now, just bummed yesterday to be hit with the double whammy of the mast and the rudder after fine tuning the other stuff for a few weeks. I recently found a local source so I think I'm all set on parts now but I appreciate the offer. This is a great community. If I can make it through this weekend without any major setbacks I'll be set!
It feels good to revive part of the antique fleet but it would feel better to get in the breeze for a change.


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PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2014 6:05 pm 
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Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 2:34 pm
Posts: 621
Location: NC
There is a pretty active fleet in your area, Hobie Fleet 32, in Virginia Beach. I would definitely try to get a hold of them. As a matter of fact, they have a regatta coming up over Memorial Day Weekend. I've done it in the past and it is a blast. I don't know if you have the time or not, but I guarantee if you showed up and introduced yourself to the sailors they'd be more than happy to let you look over their 16's and answer any questions once they get back to the beach. Regardless, I would try to contact them and see if you can get them to look your boat over. They've got a webpage and facebook page if I am not mistaken.

As far as the rudder goes, depending on how bad the damage is, you can fill it with thickened epoxy and re-drill the hole for the bolt. If your rudder is damaged beyond that, I've got two lexan rudders and can spare one if needed. What you will want to do though is be on the look out for some EPO's. They make an incredible difference in the handling of the boat. They are significantly stiffer and lighter than the lexan rudders.

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909


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PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2014 6:39 pm 
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Joined: Sun Sep 20, 2009 4:00 pm
Posts: 560
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Hey, man, we should sail some time! You are right on my way to my favorite launch spot: Gloucester Point Park. I recently upgraded my '78 to a '00 and am still digging all of the improvements.

Rudders: you buy my '00 rudders so I can buy EPOs.. :)

Solo mast stepping: as he said, you lift by hand and then tie off with a thoughtfully prearranged halyard extension. All you need is to have a sawhorse or something to put the mast on and be able to keep the shrouds and traps clear of the aft tramp corners.

Seriously, let's sail some time.

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'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages


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PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2014 7:08 pm 
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Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:21 pm
Posts: 379
Location: Winston Salem, NC
Anton is right. Use about 8' of line tied to the jib halyard and tie the other end to the bridle. After manually raising the mast, lean into it and reach down, uncleat the jib halyard, and pull it tight to hold the mast up. Re-cleat it. I built a simple tripod that I set up behind the boat to hold the mast off the traveler track. To keep the shrouds and traps from fouling on the rear corner castings, I stretch the trap bungees and pull them around to the front of the front corner castings. That keeps the trap wires taut and then I lay the shrouds inside the trap wires. That prevents any fouling.

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PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2014 7:00 am 
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Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:18 am
Posts: 778
Location: Virginia Beach VA
Wow! All of that and you're not even in the water yet. Wait till you see what can happen out there. :wink:


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PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2014 8:13 am 
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Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:31 am
Posts: 79
Location: Michigan
What you got into? "You got into something really Cool" but , you'll come to realize that, once you get out on the water with it. This part of going through everything to make sure its "Ship Shape" and ready to go, is a good thing. Its how you get to know your rig, and its is priceless when you get out on the water, then realize, what it took to get there.
I, along with alot of others out there, go through this process every year. Up here in MI, at the end of every season, I strip everything off, evauluating it to see what needs to be improved/changed/fixed/replaced. Then plot out, what my plan is to get back on the water next year. You'll have a greater appreciation for it, If your the primary reason that boat (1981?) is still sailing. It will speak volumes, not just to others, but to yourself, as a Sailor.
It does not: have to be the prettiest, nor perfect, nor the fastest, it just has to work.
We all started with these older boats somewhere, Hell, I'm still sailing mine (1979) Small upgrade here, small fix there.

Hey Man! just trying to give you a vote of confidence, Its a "Zen " thing. Don't Ya Know!
Welcome To The Brotherhood! Your going to be just Fine.

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PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2014 8:43 am 
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Joined: Wed May 05, 2010 8:28 am
Posts: 791
Location: Clinton Lake, KS
abbman wrote:
There is a pretty active fleet in your area, Hobie Fleet 32, in Virginia Beach. I would definitely try to get a hold of them. As a matter of fact, they have a regatta coming up over Memorial Day Weekend. I've done it in the past and it is a blast. I don't know if you have the time or not, but I guarantee if you showed up and introduced yourself to the sailors they'd be more than happy to let you look over their 16's and answer any questions once they get back to the beach. Regardless, I would try to contact them and see if you can get them to look your boat over. They've got a webpage and facebook page if I am not mistaken.
.



This right here! If you are asking "what have I gotten into" at this point, just go meet all the nutcases at a Hobie Regatta! You will really be asking yourself that question then, and loving every frign minute of it!!!

Go to the Regatta!

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www.thehobiewayoflife.com


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PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2014 10:29 am 
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Joined: Wed May 07, 2014 5:27 pm
Posts: 9
Location: Barhamsville, Va
Thanks again for all of the advice and the warm welcome everyone. Even though it's taken me a couple of weeks longer to get in the water, you're right. Working on the boat is a great way to get to know it. It's been a lot of fun so far and it feels good to keep this boat alive. I've sailed other boats in the Finger Lakes area of NY but it was years before I finally decided to get that Hobie I've been telling myself I should buy. And thanks for the "head's up" on the local fleet. I've been talking to a guy about parts and I think they also have something going on next weekend as well. I'll likely swing by and check out the group to see what it's all about.
And Anton, I'm sure I'll run into you at the Gloucester Point access. I work about 1/8 of a mile from that spot, looking out the window at the river every day! We'll definitely have to catch up with each other. You think the Navy escorts would mind if we raced them?
(If any of you work on the armed Navy escort boats at Cheatham Annex, that was a joke) :)


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PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2014 12:05 pm 
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Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 2:34 pm
Posts: 621
Location: NC
And hey man, if it makes you feel any better, the very first time I tried to raise my mast I was doing so under the advice of my dad who used to sail hobies recreationally some 30-40 years ago. I immediately learned that the shrouds are an important thing to attach prior to raising the mast and shortly thereafter how much a mast base costs. That mast when up and then right back down over the bows, breaking the mast base clean off. I'm very fortunate no one was hurt and that the mast didn't receive any real damage. It could have been a lot worse.

But as others have said, you have gotten yourself into one hell of a fun sport and community. In a way I wish I was in your shoes, just so I could take that first white-knuckled sail again.

I really would try to make it out to the regatta (Sail the Bay), not to sail in yet, but just to introduce yourself and get in good with some folks. I've had another event come up on the same weekend that my wife and I attend and just can't pass up, or I would most certainly be there. It's a buoy race, so you may be able to get a decent view of some of the action. I can almost guarantee that they will be more that happy to help. I would try to talk to them once they are back in from racing, just as a courtesy. Not that they would shun you away prior, it's just that most people are doing that last little mental shakedown of their boat before shoving off. Heck, you might get lucky and taken out for a ride.

My first real regatta was a Sail the Bay and I felt very welcomed by the fleet. As a matter of fact, after travelling the four hours to Va Beach for my first race and setting up the boat, I realized I had somehow lost/misplaced the pin that holds the bottom mainsheet block to the traveler. Of course it isn't the same size as anything else on the boat, so there I was watching everyone else shove off with no way for me to join them. A wife of one of the sailors noticed I was still on the beach and came to see what was wrong. I told her of my situation and she immediately started talking to wives and friends of the sailors and sure enough found the part I needed. That's just one of many examples I can share about how awesome the hobie community is. I think the only thing that makes a hobie/beach cat sailor happier than being on their boat, is seeing somebody else on theirs.

Sail it like you stole it. Have fun, man!

http://hobiefleet32.com/UPCOMING_EVENTS.html

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909


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PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2014 5:32 pm 
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Joined: Sun Sep 20, 2009 4:00 pm
Posts: 560
Location: Charlottesville, VA
The Rappahannock Rivah Regatta was last weekend, probably about an hour and a half from you. It would have been a great introduction to the Hobie folks that are even more local to you than Fleet 32. Maybe this weekend I will post some pix.

Anyhow, I'll PM you next time I have a weekend day to go sailing. Are you ever available on weekdays?

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'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages


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PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2014 5:41 pm 
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Joined: Wed May 07, 2014 5:27 pm
Posts: 9
Location: Barhamsville, Va
Thanks abbman, I'm glad to see that this community is as helpful and friendly as some of the others that I've had the privelege to hang out with. Seems like rock climbers, skydivers and sailors all have their priorities in order:)
I'll definitely be checking out the upcoming regatta if nothing else, just to get a feel for the flow of the event. I know better than to show up at boogie time with a new rig so to speak. Sorry it took so long!


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PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2014 5:47 pm 
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Joined: Wed May 07, 2014 5:27 pm
Posts: 9
Location: Barhamsville, Va
Anton, I was JUST checking out the Rappahannock regatta pics from last year. Looked like fun. My schedule is irratic what with me shuttling a 7 and 9 year old around and coaching their soccer teams. BUT.....yes, I'm occasionally available and intend on driving my boat to work this summer on those afternoons that demand it and lend themselves to proper exploitation. So, if you're in the neighborhood let me know and it might work out!


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