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PostPosted: Mon May 05, 2014 4:43 am 
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Joined: Thu May 23, 2013 12:02 am
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Location: London
Hi,

I have a kicking strap (or at least I think that's what it is called) on my H14T that connects diagonally from the boom down to the lower part of the mast.
Is this a standard feature?
Is my understanding correct in assuming this helps iron out any creases thus creating a more favorable sail shape?

Thanks
SRG

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Hobie 14 Turbo (~1979)
Hobie 16 Carumba (1983)
Hobie 16 1990 (storm damaged)
Hobie 16 1996 (my latest)


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PostPosted: Mon May 05, 2014 6:09 am 
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Location: Virginia Beach VA
Sounds like a boom vang. Somebody must have added it. I don't think Hobies ever came with a stock boom vang.


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PostPosted: Mon May 05, 2014 7:07 am 
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Thanks for your reply sunvista.
The setup on the boat looks similar to this:
Image

Does it make a noticeable difference when sailing?

Thanks
SRG

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Hobie 14 Turbo (~1979)
Hobie 16 Carumba (1983)
Hobie 16 1990 (storm damaged)
Hobie 16 1996 (my latest)


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PostPosted: Mon May 05, 2014 9:30 am 
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A boom vang is rarely used on a catamaran. More hassle than it is worth, I think. It simply holds the boom down when the main sheet is eased out for downwind sailing. The 14 does like to sail very deep down wind, so can be effective in some downwind sailing situations.

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Hobie Cat USA
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PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2014 5:07 am 
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A kicking strap (known as a vang in American English) is not used on a Hobie 14.

You can use one, but as Matt M. said, it's more trouble than it's worth. It gets in the way, and there's no real benefit to it.

Racers use the fitting on the boom to rig a shock cord preventer that has a hook on the free end. Sailing downwind, the hook is clipped in to the forward trampoline track near the corner casting, keeping the boom out to one side in light air.

Class rules prohibit attaching the preventer to both sides of the boat at the same time (like on a bridle), so it has to be unclipped / reclipped in order to gybe. An unplanned gybe is a very bad thing, which usually results in a high-velocity hook when the shock cord breaks.

The preventer is stowed most of the time - the hook is clipped into a loop of line at the gooseneck.

You can see one in use here (barely) - it's the blue line leading from the boom to the front corner:
Image


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PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2014 10:43 am 
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SRG: I'm sure the Matts will correct me if I'm wrong, but....

The info above about sailing deep (almost straight) downwind and using a vang/preventer, is really geared toward the stock (unirig) H-14. The unirig is typically rigged loose with a line to rake the mast forward while sailing very deep (where the preventer is handy).

Going downwind on your H14 Turbo, the jib will increase/move your apparent wind, and I believe you'll see better performance by running a tighter rig, leaving off any vang/preventer, and broad reaching like you do on your H16.

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PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2014 1:24 pm 
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Location: London
Thanks for your feedback and great explanations guys!
I think I will remove it. The bottom connecter (mast) has sheared a rivet that will need replacing, not sure what the stainless steel loop mounts are called but you can see it has been sheared by the kicking strap / boom vang from the picture below as well as the broken mast base that I posted about in another post.

Image

Thanks again,
SRG

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Hobie 14 Turbo (~1979)
Hobie 16 Carumba (1983)
Hobie 16 1990 (storm damaged)
Hobie 16 1996 (my latest)


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