Downhaul kit

I have trouble adjusting the downhaul on the main sail on my getaway. I can't pull hard enough, and it always seem like there is not enough downhaul tension. The groomet always remains about 6 inches above the black sticker line on the mast.

1- is downhaul really important on that boat ? Does that make a difference in speed and behavior on the getaway ?

2- have you tried the DownHaul kit (Hobie catalog page 27, part # 1511) ?

I used a Harken 6:1 purchase. First I found I needed to lower the cleat to allow room for the purchase blocks themselves. I use a small loop of line to "shackle" the purchase to the cleat. I may ad an eye pad later. I am now able to haul the tack cringle three inches into the kerf opening with a comfortable amount of effort. I do this before cleating off the halyard so the mastbend is in place as I cleat the halyard.

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Frank, sailing '02 Getaway in Wichita KS. Lake Cheney
(Hobie 17 RIP, storm of '05)

I'm using a harken setup I "built" myself.

See this post

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=9002

Looks good. Why didn't you go with the hobie kit ?

Also, do you see any positive effect with your 3-hole Jib Sheet Clew ?

What parts did you use for it, can you provide the list?
I thing it is great idea, do you remember the cost of it?

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2 Hulls Cezar

crobiecat

I did not know there was a "hobie" kit, I just walked into the local sail shop and grabbed some Harken parts.

The 3-hole Jib Clew works good, I could never get the Jib shape right with the stock 1-hole design, this could be because of my particular choice in mast rake, I don't know. But after installing the clew and using the "rear/upper" hole I can close the gap up top.

cezar
I don't remember the part number's, I just grabbed some parts that I thought would work, and they did. I used the stock attachment points supplied by Hobie, just moved them around a little.

I think the cost came down to about $100

That's interesting. I feel my jib is never closed enough, and there is always some luff at the top. May be I should try a clew plate.
Do you ever use the 2 lower holes ?
Did you notice a change in performance after you installed the plate ?




The Hobie kit (for the Hobie 16) cost a little more... but I really like your custom design !

No I never use the lower two holes on the Jib Clew, only the one you see in the picture. I don't know if it made much of a difference, I do however know I like looking at a correct sail shape rather then what I was used to.

I installed the 6:1 downhaul on my getaway.
Mostly because I was tired of pulling on the small rope that comes standard with the sail...

Anyone any idea about how much downhaul I should on this boat to get best performance for each kind of wind ?

Downwind I have to as loose as I can without getting wrinkles by the base of the sail.

Upwind and stronger wind with the sheet very tight I use a lot of downhaul to tighten up the sail and to get rid of wrinkles.

In essence the downhaul needs to match the tension on the main sheet.

Also in heavy wind to depower the sail you can use downhaul. It's mildly defective on the getaway though because of the sail/mast setup.