Hello to the forum, I am new to Cat sailing. I had a 78 H16 given to me this winter, the sheets and tramp lines need to be replaced. What is the proper diameter and length for these parts. Your assistance is truly appreciated.
Line lengths and specifications can be found within the Hobie 16 parts diagrams. Where an item is located on the boat will be a part number and length for each line.
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Thank you, I had looked at those diagrams. I wanted to make sure the part number is RM516xxx x 32, so that would be 32 feet of 5/16 line for the jib sheet?? My concern is the lines that are on the boat seem larger?? Maybe expanded from age and abuse?
Some people use larger blocks for the jib and main sails. In turn, they may hae used larger line. For some the larger diamter line is more comfortable. It all comes down to personal preference.
That is correct. I would not get larger than spec. Larger line don't run as easily through blocks. We have actually been going smaller. We currently use 3/8" for the mainsheets where as the original line was 7/16". You could use 1/4" for Jib sheets. Smaller diameter is harder to hold.
This is from the original black and white Hobie Manual (which means the simpler traveler and wider spaced lacing):
Center Tramp Lacing: 3/16" X 15 feet
Right Tramp Lacing: 3/16" X 7 feet
Left Tramp Lacing: 3/16" X 7 feet
Jib Sheet: 5/16" X 32 feet
Main Sheet: 7/16" X 37 feet
For Traveler with the two jam cleats:
Right Line: 1/4" X 7 feet
Left Line: 1/4" X 7 feet
Now, if you have the next newer traveler, with the swivel cam cleat and padeye, the main sheet and and traveler line are one and the same at 44 feet long, with each end doing its own thing. The first Hobies using the new traveler kept them seperate, but someone discovered it made good common sense to just have one longer rope flopping around on the tramp. If the skipper doesn't use the trap, you can shorten it back to 37 feet, to have less rope flopping about, and it will still be enough for the traveler.
Now, if you have a newer tramp, with more holes on the back lacing, then each lacing needs to be 3/16" X 15 feet.
Some folks found that the 7/16" main sheet would twist in a loop and get jammed in the main's lower block. To prevent that, they would use 3/8" rope; and someone makes a rope that is an undersized 7/16" that doesn't get stuck, but still give you a larger and more comfortable diameter than the 3/8".
And remember, you can always shorten a rope, but you can't make it longer.
Newer rope materials allow you to downsize sheet sizes. I use spectra (dyneema) core/polypro cover (e.g. Yale Lite) in 1/4 inch for the jib sheet and 3/8 inch for the main sheet. I find this to be a good combo of price, performance and handling ease.
You want pre-streched polyester (dacron) at a minimum for tramp lacing. Tramp lacing stretches a lot and you want a tight tramp, so you have to re-tighten the lacing often. Shock cord and, perhaps, other rope materials may be recommended for tramp lacing but I do not have personal experience with them.
Other threads in the past have discussed this topic so you may want to do a search.
All sorts of rope is available for purchase in the on-line store section of Catsailor.com.
Ditto CMerrel, and also Rick White and Matt Bounds for suggesting 5/16", dyneema core main sheet on the 16, it "sails" through the blocks. 