Mast Rake

Well I finally got around to getting my boat in the water and do some sailing. I have always put both side stays in the middle hole. After reading several posts about raking the mast as far back as possible to help the 16 point better I decided I would but the side stays in the bottom hole Even there I can not the main sheet blocks any closer than about 7 or 8” apart. Do I need to take the side stays off and shorten them? I also had to rake my rudders as far forward as I could to get the windward helm off the boat. Anyway here I am in all my glory!

http://www.crystallakesask.com/pics/IMG_0798.jpg

Rake...

The shrouds were shortened in about 1982 and then again in 1995. The length is now 18' 11"

Rake the mast back till you can "two block" (touch or nearly touch the boom blocks to the rathcet blocks) the mainsheet system when you sheet as hard as you would while sailing.

Using the rudder FAQ to get the rudder rake set for best performance:

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=467

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

in case you do not plan on upgrading to the shorter version of shrouds... You could take out the twisted stainless steel part that connects the shrouds to the hulls - This should safe you another inch.
In your pics it look like you are using the old style mainsheet - IIRC those will require some more space than the Harken style triple blocks... in other words you will sheet block to block earlier.
Rudders... yoh! this is exactely my experience. If you decide to rake the mast further you will not be able to compensate with the rudders -at least not without making modifications (drilling new pivot holes)
You might want to stop where you are at this point.

Patrick

Do NOT remove the twist toggle...

This piece is the "universal joint" of the shroud attachment to the anchor pin. It helps to relieve the side loading forces against the anchor pin.

You could bend and fail the anchor pin if the twist toggle is not in place as designed.

And... if racing... it is required to be there in the rules.

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

OMG Matt I would never do anything that would upset you LOL. I also didn't like the suggestion about taking off the twist tang, Is is possible to shorten the existing shrouds or are you better off just replacing then with the new shorter ones?

Shorten or replace?

If your wires are old enough to be too long...

You should probably replace them.

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