Hi guys:)
I recently put the 6-1 downhaul system on my boat. Seems to be going well, but I've got a question.
At a recent regatta, the overall winner, was de-rigging next to me and I asked him for some pointers. His main advise was that my jib uphaul was too tight (but my boat is very old compared to his new one- so i crank it to get a better luff on my old jib) and that i should really crank the downhaul. He cautioned me to make sure the old boat can take the strain, but said,
Downhaul equals pointing
. And that I should really go for it.
Now I was under the impression that I should only really crank it in really strong winds to spill air and de-power the sail, and in very light winds to flatten the sail to allow the wind to flow over the sail easier.
He got this advise from a previous Hobie 16 World champion, so although it goes against what I've read, I'm curious to see what others think?
Clint <img src=
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Odd...
Class rules do not allow downhaul past the black band, so... is he doing more than that? The 6:1 is just easier and quicker. New or old boat should be a non-issue.
The adjustment made is not past the black band. The adjustment i'm talking about is between (using the numbered sticker) 2 and 7let's assume.
When I pull the down haul to say 5,it scares me how much the mast bends. Although this weekend on an up leg, a difference in the down haul from 2 to 4.5 seemd to make a difference in the boat speed <img src=
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I set my downhaul as follows for 320 lb. crew weight: very light wind - 2.5 inches above the black band; moderate wind (to 12 kts.) - 2 inches abb; windy (12+ kts.) 1.5 inches abb.
Your downhaul needs may vary.
I've searched the rules and can't find the definition of what can't go
past the black band
. Bottom of the boom??? Top of the boom???
Matt - the rules changed this year to allow downhauling past the black band.
Rule 4.4 in the H-16 rules (compare this year's to last years).