Hobie Cat Forums

My son took our 1983 Hobie 16 out yesterday...or he attempted to. He called me saying he couldn't get the main to go up the mast the last two inches so he couldn't get the bead on the halyard to seat in the jaws at the top of the mast.
I suggested he carefully feed the bolt rope into the track and release the outhaul to minimize tension. That didn't improve his fortunes.
The boat is new to us but when I've gone out with him, I've rigged her and with a little tugging and some dedicated feeding of the sail into the track the bead has seated every time.
Any thoughts as to what went wrong for him or how we can improve things?
THX

mine gets stuck there to, i have to push the boom almost out of the track then it comes up easy.

good luck

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http://youtube.com/optikid16030

1983 Hobie 16 Cat fever #55697
2008 Laser Radial/4.7 #190471
S.S.S.
S.Y.S.P

use some teflon sail track lube, I find the rope sewn into the sail will swell over the years and the very top of the sail track sees less motion that the rest. I just found keeping the sail lubricated usually helped.

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

Teflon Lubricating Spray.

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Every second that passes cannot be recovered, so make good use of every one of them that you have left.

Is sail lube the same as "Dry Lube"

Lube it is then! When we first purchased the boat I ran rags through the track to clean out the gunk and waxed the sail bolt rope but it looks like I'll need to do a better job. Thanks everyone for the input.

Clean and lube the track. I clean and lube mine several times/year. Lift the boom if necessary as Optikid suggested and you might have to feed the sail into the mast track those last few inches or feet. When you have the main most of the way up the mast you really are pulling a lot of weight. Sometimes you have to use every little trick you can think of.

I have only had a problem raising the sail that last few inches when I had the main sheet blocks connected and didn't pull enough line out between them. If all else fails and you want to get out and sail, lay the boat over on the beach (with a little help) so you can solve the problem and get the sail all the way up.

I am curious about a couple of comments here. Do you put the boom into the mast track before raising the sail? I never have done that. I also have never lubricated my sail or mast track. My boat is an '85 that I have owned since it was new. I sail mostly in fresh water so I don't have sand and salt to contend with.

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Howard

I'm like you Howard, I only put the boom in the track once the sail is hoisted and halyard hooked.

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Marc...
1978 Hobie 16 Keoke, sail# 36 84

Howard - I raise the sail first. The boom/gooseneck goes in last. I hope FlyNavy does it in the same sequence.
Lube the sail or mast track....I've always put a very light coating of lube in the mast track, without question, because I was advised to years ago. I'm not sure it's really necessary, but I do believe it's imperitive to keep the mast track clean.

+1

Dry lube works best:

McLube Sailkote Spray Lubricant


Also direct your bows into the wind

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H17

Have your crew stand on the tramp, putting their palms under the highest batten pocket they can (easily) reach and push up on the sail. Then you pull on the halyard. The last few inches can be a booger even with a clean and lubed track.

ditto...after the sail is raised, and halyard locked, install the boom and set gooseneck in the track

edit; read the ingredients on your lube of choice. Do not use anything on sailcloth containing petroleum products, which will attract dirt.

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