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 Post subject: having trouble tacking
PostPosted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 11:52 pm 
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Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 11:48 pm
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Hi recently got a hobie 14 and we cant seem to tack as soon as we turn into the wind the boat stalls and we stop moving and cant turn back we just end up getting pushed with the wind any help would be much appreciated


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 3:29 pm 
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Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 11:36 am
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Location: Oklahoma City, OK
As you're turning thru the tack, you need to release the mainsheet (about 3-4 feet, more or less dependent upon conditions and experience) and make sure the boom gets away from centerline, otherwise you windvane into irons. If the wind won't sheet out the main after releasing, you need to push the boom to the new leeward position.


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 4:36 pm 
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Location: Czech Republic / SB / Lipno
Very helpfull is keep jib tighted to backwind cleat. Then wind start turning you on other side sooner then you are directly upwind.
mainsail help you to turn directly upwind. then is very important to release it as wrote hobieokc


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 7:27 pm 
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Location: Sydney, Australia
If you get stuck in irons push the boom out with your hand and hold it there. You will start sailing backwards, now reverse the rudders and this will make you turn onto your new tack. Once you have enough angle off the wind sheet in and you'll go forward again.


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PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 12:22 am 
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thanks for the advice the cat doesnt have a jib was thinking of putting one on would that help. we did try pushing the main sail into the wind then reversing the rudders didnt seem to work though even in strong wind


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PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 10:16 am 
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Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2004 12:36 pm
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Location: Tri-Cities, WA
Prior to tacking make sure you are pointing as high as possible without losing too much speed, loosen the main sheet just a bit as you initiate the turn and don't turn too sharp. The boat should be balanced fore and aft (flat on the water). Once the battons 'pop' sheet back in. Rudder control throughout the turn (e.g., during the hiking stick cross over) is also important. :wink:


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PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 10:24 am 
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Joined: Mon May 09, 2005 10:25 am
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Location: Jersey Shore
yetti22 wrote:
we did try pushing the main sail into the wind then reversing the rudders didnt seem to work though even in strong wind


In order to do a "K-turn" you need to let out a lot of mainsheet - like all of it and push the boom way over to the opposite side of the boat. It can help to actually stand up on the tramp and lean against the boom. Do this while simultaneously pushing the rudder away from yourself (so you're pushing both the boom and tiller to leeward). Wind will fill on the backside of the sail and push the boat backwards, the rudders pushed to leeward will turn the bows off the wind. The boat will continue to turn until the sail weathervanes again. At this point, you reverse the rudders (pull towards you) and gradually begin sheeting in the sail. If you straighten the rudders or sheet in too quickly, the boat will weather vane and you'll have to repeat the process all over.

Timing and finess is everything with these boats and the only way to improve is through time on the water.

sm


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PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 7:38 pm 
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thanks all for the help


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PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:33 pm 
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Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:53 am
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Location: Storm Lake, IA
yetti22 wrote:
we cant seem to tack

two people on a 14 will make the boat sluggish and harder to tack. the boat really is designed for one sailor


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PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 8:13 am 
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Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:27 am
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Location: Cedar Falls, IA
yetti22 wrote:
thanks for the advice the cat doesnt have a jib was thinking of putting one on would that help. we did try pushing the main sail into the wind then reversing the rudders didnt seem to work though even in strong wind


Tacking the 14 in higher winds can be pretty tough. One thing I do (or ATTEMPT to do) is really pay attention to the waves before the tack. If you time it right, you should be able to get the waves to actually help push the bow onto the new tack. It really takes some practice though. I have ended up having the waves totally stop me more than once!

_________________
Ben Wells - Hobie 16


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PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 9:11 am 
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Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 4:54 am
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Location: Apollo Beach, FL
Tacking a 14 without a jib can be a bit of a pain, especially if there is much chop. I'd suggest a technique called roll tacking. It works well for me and some say it's the only way to tack a catamaran. There is a description of it by Rick White in Hobie U 2002 located here:

http://www.hobieclass.com/site/hobie/ihca/downloads/hobieu/HobieU.pdf

Rick White also discusses it in his book "Catamaran Racing for the 90's" which I highly recommend. There is also a Rick White DVD that demos the technique in different boats.

https://store.catsailor.com/pc/viewcategories.asp

HTH


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