Hobie Cat Forums

The cam-cleat for the main sheet on my AI works just fine. But I didn't like having to reach up so high to pop it loose and then hold it up there while trimming the sail. So I mounted a run-of-the mill old fashioned cleat to the starboard gunwale just forward of the seat. I run the sheet from the forward harken block under the Ama crossbar. No tangles and I can trim the sheet with my hand resting comfortably on the gunwale. I recognize that I can't just pop it loose in a sudden gust, but it's not a big deal if you stay on top of things.

Subjective, of course, but I find it easier and more comfortable.

I wonder why Hobie didn't think of that

Slower on a quick release of the sheetline, but otherwise nice and simple.

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http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

I suspect they did. Most folks probably prefer the camcleat. In fact, if it would have fit in the same area, I would have just moved it. But the gunwale wasn't wide enough.

Wasn't the camcleat I objected to, it was the angle of the line needed to keep it out of the camcleat that I didn't care for.

I agree with the poor sheeting angle. It makes it hard to play the sheet.

You could try adding a wedge to the Harken Cleat like in this post to change it's angle: http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=27537

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http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

Thanks for the information. For now I'm liking the standard cleat. My opinion may change after further use. I'll keep the suggestion in mind. Thanks again.