Hobie Cat Forums

I've had my AI out several times now, in various conditions and I am still having some difficulty in completing the tack without peddling. I could use some suggestions. Also, what position should the drive be in while sailing? I've been keeping it with one peddle to bow and one to stern. Thanks to all for sharing their knowledge.

Rez
Red 07

There is a lot of drag and windage when tacking the AI... the boat slows, best to pedal right through the tacks. Its not cheating!

You can do it, but maybe on flatter water is easier.

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Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

Matt's right, it's not cheating. I've been able to tack without pedalling, so it is possible, but doesn't work flawlessly for me all the time. I use the pedals quite often to get me up to speed. It takes a lot of force to get something moving, but less force to keep it moving, so by pedalling through the tack, and slightly beyond, you bring the boat up to speed quicker, and allow the wind to just keep you moving, instead of having to start you up again.

Pedals are part of the fun for me. In bigger winds, I sometimes pull the drive and use the plug, but if it's a bit gusty or calm, it's easier and just as enjoyable to sail with the pedals.

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I agree with Matt and augaug. The pedals and sail can compliment each other really well if used together properly.
If you are keen to sail without the pedals, it's possible to tack in winds of about 5-12 knots as long as you ease right off on the mainsheet as you come into and through the wind. Much less than that and the boat tends to just come to a halt. Much more and the sail luffs like crazy, which must be bad for it. If you get caught in irons in moderate to high winds, you can reverse the rudder and sit there ignominiously waiting for the boat to be blown backward, which will complete the tack.
One way that always works is to gybe and travel around through 270 degrees, instead of tacking through 90 degrees. By my testing, it takes 30-45 seconds longer than a successfully completed tack, but it's infinitely faster than an unsuccessful tack. It also feels faster, even if it's not.

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The TI with it's additional mass is easier to tack most of the time without pedals, but the AI takes much more skill and luck to do it often.

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

A little trick I use is reaching up with my free hand and putting pressure against the sail... that "back winds" the sail slightly, keeps the luffing under control and brings the boat about a little quicker... it works for me...

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CaptRon
"Anything's gonna happen,
it's gonna happen out there"

Cool trick. Also related to the old "head tack" trick.

Try pushing it across with your noggin, you will have less chance of tearing the fragile sail window and edge. Plus you can keep your hands on the sheets and control tiller.

If needed, another trick is to hike up on the gunnels or tramps before and after the tack. I think this causes the upwind Ama to bite in and helps turn you sharper. As the turn completes, jump to the opposite rail or tramp and watch the wind fill your sail.

It must be done smothly. With 2 people and tramps, you can simply alternate positions in the cockpit. Good fun. Like real sailing.

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"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."
- Ayn Rand

That's using your noggin...

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CaptRon
"Anything's gonna happen,
it's gonna happen out there"

wind below 5 knots

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“Remember life is short- eat dessert first.”
The world is 70% water – So that means we should spend 70% more time sailing than mowing lawns!
Larry

Hi Rez. A bit was written on this very issue a while back which helped me out.

viewtopic.php?f=71&t=14234&p=78585&hilit=jibe#p78585

Hope it helps you too.

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

Thanks all for the rapid response. I've no problem powering through the tack with the drive. I just wanted to be able to tack without the drive and do it smoothly. I'll give some of the suggestions a try.

Rez
Red 07

I have to say, the difference between tacking and gybing on this post and the previous post, has used up a lot of my brain time in the past few weeks.
The way I understand it is..... Gybing or tacking is used when you want to turn your boat around. To gybe is when you turn your boat into your full sail to turn around. This is the way I usually turn. It's fast 4-5 sec. To tack is when you turn your boat into the wind to turn around.
I figure I can count on any one of you to tell me if I'm correct or not. Wasn't it Einstein who said, "You are sure you know something if you can explain it to your Grandmother."?

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Fly'n C Lion

Fly'n C Lion,
Another way to think about a tack and gybe...the bow (front) of the boat crosses the wind when you tack...the stern (back) of the boat crosses the wind when you gybe...use a tack when you're sailing upwind...use a gybe when your sailing off the wind (downwind)...hope that helps

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CaptRon
"Anything's gonna happen,
it's gonna happen out there"

Easiest to remember is:

Tacking is moving the bow across the wind and

Jibing is moving the stern across the wind.

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

Whoowww Whoooo You guys did it!!!! It is now set perfectly in my mind. So simple! Thank you.

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Fly'n C Lion