I'm looking back at the Hooter posts and will try to answer some of the questions. I spent about 40 days on Lake Erie last summer with the Hooter deployed. Erie has steady winds and large waves.
The system held up well. I leave it set up all summer with a sail cover protecting the Hooter sail when not in use. Add 20-30 minutes set up time if you trailor your boat.
I weigh 200lbs, my wife 110lbs. Sailing alone I can handle 12 mph winds, with my wife 14mph. This means sailing under control, flying a hull without fear of capsize. I/we did go over a few times in higher winds but no big deal, IT'S A WAVE! Most of the time when in trouble we would depower by either pinching or heading downwind depending on our point of sail at the time.
I partially furled the Hooter when tacking or jibing as seen in this photo.The Hooter is a big sail with lots of overlap. The sail would not clear the rigging unless I furled some. The photo shows me beginning a tack. I have good speed and have just furled the Hooter. As I pass head-to-wind the Hooter will backwind a bit and push the front of the boat through the tack. Then unfurl, sheet in, and off you go.
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Rick Wattengel
H18 "Puka-Luka"
Fleet 119-Lake Erie's Finest