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 Post subject: Mast position
PostPosted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 5:42 pm 
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Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:52 pm
Posts: 31
Is it better for speed to move the mast forward, by releasing the stays( moving up the hole) and lowering the hole on the fore-stay( moving it further down). Or is it better to move the mast aft? Also how will this effect tacking?


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 Post subject: Re: Mast position
PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 8:01 am 
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Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:30 am
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It is my understanding that in lighter winds you
may want less mast rake. as wind increases more rake.
you should be able to get mainsheet block to block and
sail in all the way. tacking i have to backwind jib, rigging
instructions tell you basic settings as a starting point. can't
remember them though...doug


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 Post subject: Re: Mast position
PostPosted: Mon Aug 08, 2011 1:37 pm 
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Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:44 pm
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Location: Oceanside, California
It's been pretty much proven over years of cat sailing and racing that mast rake aft is best all around. Few situations would be better with masts forward. Maybe lighter winds and heavy weights aboard, but you will always point higher with more mast rake aft.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)


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 Post subject: Re: Mast position
PostPosted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 1:03 pm 
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I attended a racing clinic last fall where I learned a ton about both my boat and how I was sailing it.

One of the long-standing complaints we've all had about the Getaway our difficulty in getting the boat to point higher into the wind when sailing close hauled. Here was a valuable technique that vastly improved my boat's performance.

It was early in the morning before the wind came up and we had my Getaway on the beach with the bow pointing towards the water. We could then grab ahold of the main sheet and walk back as far as we could from the boat with the sheet still in hand. We then hardened up on the sheet watching the sail's shape as we pulled in. We noticed that the leech of the sail was open even with the main sheet blocks pulled in block to block. So we raised the side shrouds one hole and pulled the forestay down as far as we could. Now there was enough room for the main sheet to be pulled in enough to cause the leech of the sail to be lined up parallel to the mast. Your boat may need some tweaking to find the balance between aft rake necessary and sail trim.

Later that same day when the wind came up the adjustment proved itself on the race course. No, the miracle of matching the pointing ability of a Hobie 18 didn't happen, but with the increased performance to windward I was able to come in 4th out of 9 Hobie 18's on corrected time.

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JT Cole
Clermont, FL
'03 Getaway
'05 Wave


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 Post subject: Re: Mast position
PostPosted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 9:23 pm 
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Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:52 pm
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Where was this clinic? I'll try doing what you suggested and try to point... 4 in a fleet of 18 is impressive
I would love to find a getaway class to help me tune this boat... Thanks


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 Post subject: Re: Mast position
PostPosted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:46 am 
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Location: Oceanside, California
Yes, there is a maximum rake related to the ability to properly sheet the main. I would also recommend adding leech tell tails to the sail. This is the best way to tell if you are under sheeted or over sheeted.

Image

This is an image of the 16, but works the same. If under sheeted, the tail flow aft. If over sheeted, they hook to the back side. Correct sheeting is a balance of the two... flowing aft and then occasional hook to the back side and return flowing aft. Higher and lower positions of the tell tails help you determine proper traveler position along with sheet tension.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)


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 Post subject: Re: Mast position
PostPosted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:59 pm 
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Matt, thanks for the diagram. Tell tales, well, tell the tale (sorry, couldn't resist).

The clinic was conducted by Red Gear Racing at the Lake Eustis Sailing Club in Eustis, Florida. Several hours on the water featured a coach out on the water with us working on starts and tacking were followed by a review of video footage taken out on the water. Then the Wild Cat Regatta was held there on Saturday and Sunday.

This year's regatta will be held Sept 30 thru October 2. It is a great regatta that attracts an average of 40 cats each year. some of the classes that attend are A-Cats, F-16, F-18, Hobie 16 & 18. I've been the lone Getaway to attend. Thank goodness for Portsmouth handicap system! So if you are withing driving distance come join the party!

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JT Cole
Clermont, FL
'03 Getaway
'05 Wave


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 Post subject: Re: Mast position
PostPosted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 2:52 pm 
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Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:52 pm
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nice ..
I'll put that on my next year list..
do you race you getaway? and how often? and can you "hip" me to a local to get some Portsmouth numbers.. that only one that I have seen are for the 16?
Thanks


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 Post subject: Re: Mast position
PostPosted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 8:01 pm 
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Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:58 pm
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Location: Indianapolis, IN
http://offshore.ussailing.org/Portsmouth_Yardstick/Current_Tables/Multihull_Classes.htm

Hobie 16 = 76.0
Getaway = 83.3
Wave = 92.1

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2006 Hobie Wave 7358
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 Post subject: Re: Mast position
PostPosted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 7:32 pm 
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Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:12 pm
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The best source of regatta schedules is on CatSailor.com.

For this year's Wildcat Regatta, being held in Central Florida's Lake Eustis on the first weekend of October, go to http://teamloewen.com/ for all the details.

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JT Cole
Clermont, FL
'03 Getaway
'05 Wave


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 Post subject: Re: Mast position
PostPosted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 7:25 pm 
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Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:52 pm
Posts: 31
WOw great I give this to my race committee
this should help Thanks all
Got another race this Saturday.. hope to make a better showing.
Going out Friday to get a little practice in .


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