mmiller wrote:
Hey... if you have a standard jib halyard and are happy with it. What the heck?
I like Matt Miller's response on this one. However, I learned to sail in Southern Cal (Long Beach) where the conditions are a bit stern (high winds/rough waters). The Ausie did enable me to tack much easier to starboard. Don't know what kind of conditions you sail in but I think it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Note: there had to be a reason that Hobie made the upgrade standard equipment on the H16.
I know you don't want to spend the money and you're trying to justify this expenditure but this is sailing. You're going to spend money. I made a couple of acquisitions for my boat that I thought I was going to have to seek therapy to get over it. In the end, I was glad that I made them. Take the advice of some of the more seasoned sailors on this forum like the Matt's (Bounds and Miller). They will save you a ton of money, in mistakes. Don't ask me how I know !!!
But it's like M. Miller said, "if you have a standard jib halyard and are happy with it, what the heck ???"