Hobie Cat Forums

Finally I have the new graphite sail together with 8:1 purchase.

Sailing on Saturday and Sunday was great with sail setting perfect. Only problem is that I am of the view that my old Dacron sail is faster when running with the wind. I am told it is just getting used to how to set it up.

The 8:1 downhaul is brilliant. Minimal effort required and wow ... it puts a great amount of bend into the stock standard aluminium mast.

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Richard Stephens

Sweet!

That setup looks awesome...I can't imagine it being slower than the Dacron sails....

Richard,
treat those sails with a great deal of care. Not only to preserve your investment, but also the llife of the sails. Roll them up instead of flaking them, do not repeatedly crease them if you help it. I've had years of experience with laminated carbon fiber or kevlar style sails and have seen good sails wear out early. They break down if you don't treat them well.

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Chris
'88 H18SE Arís

The sails look great, Richard. Who made them?

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Irie, mon....
'82 Hobie 18 SE with '85 Nationals Prism (White) sails
'73 Laser HID# 3463

Sails were made by QUANTUM SAILS, South Africa.

In the USA there are many branches of Quantum sails...... no doubt they will have to get the pattern "inter-branched" from Quantum Sails SA.

The materials that I used were the Fusion Membrane Fibre, Carbon Technora FF.

Essential that these type of sails be used in conjunction with an 8:1 downhall.

In last weekends long distance race ... Round the Island +- 26 Km (+- 16 miles) and wind at approx 4 - 6 knots, I achieved a H18 class first position with time of 2h 38min. Having started 20 minutes prior with better wind and falling therafter off, the leading Nacra F20 finished in 1h 58min and leading Tiger in 2h 04min and only Wildcat with 2h 45min and only FX1 with 2h 15min.

So all in all not too shabby.

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Richard Stephens