I have been having a problem with my 20 main sail. The comp tip actually is the problem I believe, anyhow when I hoist the main, the sail track on the comp tip opens and allows the sail to slip out. This makes it impossible to bring the sail down. It happens every time now. Now to get the sail down I must tip the boat and pull the entire sail up through the comp tip. Any idea's would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. - Daniel Evans.

--
Daniel Evans
N I20 Miami FL
N I20, N 6.0NA, H 20, H 16 Chesapeake bay
I have a hard time passing up a good deal on a big cat.
--

First, is this a stock Hobie brand sail?

Do you notice any damage to the sail track? Does the sail track on the comptip part of the mast look different than the rest?

It sounds like you either have a damaged track, or the sails bolt rope is too small or maybe damaged?

Looking at the Hobie 20 parts diagram
http://www.hobiecat.com/support/pdfs/PARTS_20.pdf
It looks like the track is sold as a part #, maybe it could be replaced if damaged.

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

How To Create Your Own Cool Avatar

How To Display Pictures In The Forums.
--

As far as I know it's an original Hobie sail but I'm not positive. It is translucent and has the kevlar (maybe) looking fibers running through it. The sail track on the comp tip seems to be plastic and does bend pretty easily. The sail is very used but is very usable besides the fact that it pulls out at the tip. I had thought about trying to add fabric to make it thicker but I have no sewing skills at all. Maybe tape would work. I was hoping it was a common problem.
Thanks for the parts diagram, I'll check it. - Daniel Evans.

--
Daniel Evans
N I20 Miami FL
N I20, N 6.0NA, H 20, H 16 Chesapeake bay
I have a hard time passing up a good deal on a big cat.
--

If it's a Hobie sail it will have a Hobie logo patch on it. Just asked because of possible bolt rope differences.

You might want to post pictures of the track and sail bolt in the problem areas.

Your problem is not common at all, so the cause should be apparent.

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

How To Create Your Own Cool Avatar

How To Display Pictures In The Forums.
--

I can get some pics but not for a while. Everything is still up for the winter. I did notice on the parts pdf there are two tracks listed at the top of the mast. One aluminum and one plastic, maybe the aluminum on was a fix for the plastic. I had considered screwing with flat head screws the center of the plastic track to the comp tip. It seems like the center may be bowing out to allow the tip of the track to flex, thus letting the halyard pull the sail out. Also affecting the this is the way the main is pulled from a pulley aft of the mast up top. This I think induces mast bow and also pulls the sail outward from the track especially as the sail reaches the top of the mast. It won't be until May 1st that I start getting her ready to sail again. Just wanted to get a jump start on the biggest problem I had last year. Thanks again. - Daniel Evans.

--
Daniel Evans
N I20 Miami FL
N I20, N 6.0NA, H 20, H 16 Chesapeake bay
I have a hard time passing up a good deal on a big cat.
--

This would be a good topic to take up with a hobie dealer. If you tell us where you are (fill out your profile) we probably can point you in the direction of a good contact

I'm located in Southern MD. Zip code 20674. I can search one, but never considered them. Actually I've never been to one. Usually get parts from Murray's. I'd like to find another used Main but I know that's a different section. The seem few and far between too. Thanks guys.

--
Daniel Evans
N I20 Miami FL
N I20, N 6.0NA, H 20, H 16 Chesapeake bay
I have a hard time passing up a good deal on a big cat.
--

well perhaps i was wrong, i can't refer you to any in that area, perhaps someone else can?

but i would defanatetly talk with a hobie dealer. this may not be common but it may not be the only one. i am sure there is a solution.. but it may be a new comp tip (may be a used one somewhere)

what about googling hobie 20 pics and trying to find out if your main is an original hobie sail that way?

it sure does sound like a too small bolt rope problem...

http://images.google.co.jp/images?hl=en&safe=off&resnum=0&q=hobie%2020&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi



edited by: erice, Mar 04, 2010 - 12:46 AM

The Factory Hobie 20 main sails are Mylar/Dacron laminate and pretty much all look like these.


--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

How To Create Your Own Cool Avatar

How To Display Pictures In The Forums.
--

Mine is not a Hobie sail if they all look like that. It's clear with a slight tint. Very heavy material and feels just like plastic. The thing is it didn't used to do that. Also the bolt seems big because it is difficult to feed into the feeder. It's frayed at the end a little. I'm going to look for some pics.

--
Daniel Evans
N I20 Miami FL
N I20, N 6.0NA, H 20, H 16 Chesapeake bay
I have a hard time passing up a good deal on a big cat.
--

Does it pull out of the track while you are raising it or while you are sailing? How hard do you have to pull in order to get the sail up? I saw where you mentioned the comp tip is bending as you are raising the sail. What condition are the pulleys at the top and bottom of the mast? Do they spin easily while under load?

--
Scott,
‘92 H18 w/SX wings
‘95 Hobie Funseeker 12 (Holder 12)
‘96/‘01/‘14 Hobie Waves
--

i have heard of boltropes: shrinking, stretching, sliding and swelling.

i recently cut up a sail that was shot and was kind of surprised to learn the bolt rope was a styrofoam material. i dont know how this material could swell or shrink but perhaps some are made of other material.


It hurt me to cut up the sail.. but it had shredded across 3 pannels with no hope of repair.

I had jumped out on the wire, under full load.. and all of a sudden i fell about 1' down... i thought i was de-masting but realized.. i had more "twist" than possible... (it was sad) BUT.. it made a great window blind :)

Smfinley, It is extremely hard to pull the main up. The pulleys are in good shape except the center one at the base of the mast, so I use a side one. I've never seen it happen as I hoist the main but it could. See I have never locked the main in mostly do to it being to difficult to hoist fully. I get it close and cleat it at the bottom. I don't race just rec. I started tying the halyard to my ATV and backing up so maybe I over stressed it by pulling too hard. I did get some Mclube to ease the operation and it help a lot but still very hard.

AndrewScott I like the curtain idea. Very cool. I'm hoping my sail is still good for more than just that.

I got some pics of the sail today. I'll post once I find the cord to upload..

--
Daniel Evans
N I20 Miami FL
N I20, N 6.0NA, H 20, H 16 Chesapeake bay
I have a hard time passing up a good deal on a big cat.
--

Ok I have the pics but don't know how to post them.



--
Daniel Evans
N I20 Miami FL
N I20, N 6.0NA, H 20, H 16 Chesapeake bay
I have a hard time passing up a good deal on a big cat.
--

If you have them on your computer, first you have to get them onto the Internet so you can include their location (url) here.

Take a look at this thread for instructions and let me know any questions.
http://www.thebeachcats.c…ewtopic-topic-11075.html

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

How To Create Your Own Cool Avatar

How To Display Pictures In The Forums.
--

I had this problem on my H21SE. It is also a common problem on the H18. You need to replace the top 12.5" of the plastic luft track with the aluminum luft track. It costs about $33 through your Hobie dealer and it is definiterly worth the money. Be careful when popping the plastic luft track off the comp-tip. You can easily damage the the comp-tip with the flat head screw driver( or what ever tool you use to pry it out)



edited by: flightlead, Mar 04, 2010 - 10:05 PM

--
Flightlead Bimare F18 HT SpaceCoast
--

Quote

I have never locked the main in mostly do to it being to difficult to hoist fully.

You should be able to raise the sail by hand. It sounds like in addition to replacing the track in the comp-tip you probably need to check the rest of the track for dirt and being dented. The track should be smooth and straight. Also look to replace the pulleys. It is amazing the different some maintenance on the track will do to make raising the main easier. My brother spent an afternoon working on his SuperCat 20 mast track and pulleys and raising the main went from needing 2 people to pull on the halyard (or 1 person really straining) to a fairly easy 1 person job. One afternoon of work made the last few years of sailing much nicer for him. I can raise my H18 sail by myself including feeding the sail into the track and pulling on the halyard, your H20 should be similar.

So I would investigate the cause of the friction that is making it so hard to raise the main, while you investigate the bolt rope popping out.

--
Scott,
‘92 H18 w/SX wings
‘95 Hobie Funseeker 12 (Holder 12)
‘96/‘01/‘14 Hobie Waves
--

The 12 inches of aluminum luft track solves the bolt rope popping out. Use a 'plug' to run up and down the entire length of the luft track to check for possible areas where the sail might bind. There is usually some binding at the junction of the comp-tip and the aluminum mast.

--
Flightlead Bimare F18 HT SpaceCoast
--

EvansDB78

Smfinley, It is extremely hard to pull the main up. The pulleys are in good shape except the center one at the base of the mast, so I use a side one. I've never seen it happen as I hoist the main but it could. See I have never locked the main in mostly do to it being to difficult to hoist fully. I get it close and cleat it at the bottom. I don't race just rec. I started tying the halyard to my ATV and backing up so maybe I over stressed it by pulling too hard. I did get some Mclube to ease the operation and it help a lot but still very hard.

AndrewScott I like the curtain idea. Very cool. I'm hoping my sail is still good for more than just that.

I got some pics of the sail today. I'll post once I find the cord to upload..

My main was pretty hard to raise on my P18 especially that last 2-3 feet of it. It took 2 of us pulling from behind the boat and another by the mast make sure it was feeding into the track ok.

I took a sponge and some soapy water then wrapped a wash cloth around it and ran it through the entire track several times. I then let it dry and liberally applied MCLube to the inside of the track. I then clean the bolt rope on the sail as well as I could and again liberally applied MCLube to the entire bolt rope of the sail.

The last sail of the season last year I raised the main on my own standing right next to the mast where you have very little leverage. Hooked and set it first try and the downhaul all set and tied in before my wife who was coming to help could even get there.

I suggest you try the same If you watch West Marine sometimes has the MCLube on really goods sales as well good to stock up. I plan to make this part of my Spring tradition in getting teh boat ready for the year.


--
Dustin Finlinson • Magna, UT
Member: Utah Sailing Association
1982 Prindle 18
1986 Hobie 17
1982 Prindle 16
1980 Prindle 16(mostly)
1976 Prindle 16(mostly)
Check out "Prindle Sailors" on Facebook.
--

EvansDB78

It is extremely hard to pull the main up....

See I have never locked the main in mostly do to it being to difficult to hoist fully. I get it close and cleat it at the bottom....

Like the others have said, start by fixing this problem. It's really frustrating when something on your boat doesn't work as designed, just makes every day you use the boat a pain instead of a pleasure. We've all been there.

If you don't sail around a lot of other boats it's easy to believe that the problem you have is normal, like having to use a vehicle to pull the main halyard! Not hooking your sail could be the source of your sail popping out of the track, you are changing the design and stresses, especially as the mast rotates.

As others have stated, you should be able to EASILY! pull up the main.

Think about this, can you lift the main off the ground when it is rolled up? Doesn't weight very much does it? That is all the weight your are pulling when you pull the main halyard, everything else is friction, fix the friction and your sailing day will be a lot more pleasant.

Besides the cleaning and McLubing, a frayed or swelled bolt rope can be a major source of friction. Luckily if the rest of the sail is good, the bolts can be replaced by a sailmaker.


--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

How To Create Your Own Cool Avatar

How To Display Pictures In The Forums.
--

i agree with clean and lube the track. ( i think i will clean mine today)

also look at how tight your battens are.. tight battens make it MUCH hard to pull up your sail

if you have to pull hard, and bend the mast.. its very believable that it will pop out

I uploaded the sail pics to the tech gallery but can't figure out how to get them here. I think you can look at them there. (And a shot of my girl!)

I think you guy's are right. I need to make it easier to hoist the sail. I'll clean the track and add mclube to the mast this spring. I'll try it with the battens loosened too. I think doing these will help a lot. I'd rather not replace the comp tip or track so maybe the easier fixes will do it. And no there are not many cats around here. None like this one.

Eventually I'll get another main too.

--
Daniel Evans
N I20 Miami FL
N I20, N 6.0NA, H 20, H 16 Chesapeake bay
I have a hard time passing up a good deal on a big cat.
--

I don't think that main is factory, but it looks in fine shape to me, bolt rope doesn't look damaged.

To embed your pics here.

Easiest to do using Firefox

Open two browser windows, one with photo album, one with your forum post.

Right click directly on the picture you want to show, choose "copy image location"

Come back to the forum post, clickon the "Image" button (in the group of URL Email Image Quote)

That will insert this in your post

<code class="prettyprint"></code>

Right click bewteen the image tags ](right click here)[

and paste in the url of the photo.

I'll do the first one for you.


--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

How To Create Your Own Cool Avatar

How To Display Pictures In The Forums.
--

Aw I you have an Admiral for your boat.

--
Dustin Finlinson • Magna, UT
Member: Utah Sailing Association
1982 Prindle 18
1986 Hobie 17
1982 Prindle 16
1980 Prindle 16(mostly)
1976 Prindle 16(mostly)
Check out "Prindle Sailors" on Facebook.
--

Quarath

Aw I you have an Admiral for your boat.

I can see that she has left you speechless.

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

How To Create Your Own Cool Avatar

How To Display Pictures In The Forums.
--

I need one for my boat...


--
Flightlead Bimare F18 HT SpaceCoast
--

Quote

I have been having a problem with my 20 main sail. The comp tip actually is the problem I believe, anyhow when I hoist the main, the sail track on the comp tip opens and allows the sail to slip out. This makes it impossible to bring the sail down. It happens every time now. Now to get the sail down I must tip the boat and pull the entire sail up through the comp tip. Any idea's would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. - Daniel Evans.

I had this exact problem with the H21SE. The cord would pull through the top of the luft track. after many hours of research on Hobie.com and others I saw that the H18's had that same problem. I had to tip the boat over to release the sail from the hook. Once the boat was on its side I saw that the cord had pulled out of the track. Hobie dealers will order the fix for you; the 12,5" aluminum track. It is very easy to install, but just to re-iterate, be very careful when prying off the plastic track, cut 12.5 inches off the plastic track. I was lucky to have access to a chop saw. Of course the aluminum track is harder to install since it is not as flexible. You need a rubber mallet to pound it into place once you have it in position. You may need to file off material between the plastic/aluminum track transition to smooth it out. Problem solved.....good luck(Sorry I can't remember the part number)

--
Flightlead Bimare F18 HT SpaceCoast
--

I just noticed that this thread is actually in the wrong forum. I'm moving it to the Technical Help forum instead of the Site Talk forum (Site talk is about features and problems with this website)

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

How To Create Your Own Cool Avatar

How To Display Pictures In The Forums.
--

i cleaned/ lubed my track yesterday and my sail went up so nice and easy today.. glad i did it..

BUT i would personally not use mclube. it is very expensive ($18/can). requires removal of any previous silicon (with a solvent) and when you spray it in the track.. most will settle in the back of the mast track (where the sail/boltrope will never touch it). I guess if you coat the heck out of the track, some will mist in the right spot.. but again i wouldn't go that route

what i do is use a slug (part of a bic pen), wrapped in a folded rag (tshirt part) and liberally sprayed with $4 silicone. i run it up and down, remove, re-soak (spray liberally) and do it again... all while on the trailer so i have access.. do this every few months and ... ahhhhhh so much easier to raise (and lower). took me about 2 minutes to do...

andrewscott

BUT i would personally not use mclube.

This is a good point with all the mention of McLube in this thread.

What I do is clean the mast and track with WD40, using the slug method you mention. WD40 is a great cleaner and doesn't leave any sticky residue. Then if the sail needs any more help spray the McLube directly on the bolt rope. ( this isn't usually neccessary, in fact the sail can get so easy to raise that when you release the hook the sail fall all the way down like a curtain)

WD40 does a nice job on the outside of a black anodized mast, cleans it and makes it look new for a couple of months.

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

How To Create Your Own Cool Avatar

How To Display Pictures In The Forums.
--

i will definitely try that next time... sounds like a good idea. for some reason i love the smell of that stuff too.

PS McLube has it's place.. today i liberally sprayed my spinnaker with sailkote (mclube)... the best part... wasn't my can!!! (thanks jimmi)

to bad i didnt pull out my chute.. just wrong angle for where we were sailing



edited by: andrewscott, Mar 06, 2010 - 11:14 PM

I have a H20 and I feel your pain. The sail is heavy and the comptip can make it complicated. In the last year I have had to replace the long plastic luff trac twice. One place to really concentrate your attention to is the interface between the metal part of the luff trac on the mast and the plastic comptip part. This must be exactly flush or you will have all sorts of trouble. The plastic pece cant start to warp and pull away at this point. This costs about a 90 dollars to replace with a new one. you can take off and file away on the plastic piece to make it flush.
Get rid of the little metal sail feeder at the bottom this is only gets int the way and can chew the foot of the sail. Make sure you seal the screws back in when youre done.


You really need to be hooked in at the top. This main can need a lot of downhaul causing lots of stretch on the halyard and stress on the roller at top.

windvane

I have a H20 and I feel your pain. The sail is heavy and the comptip can make it complicated. In the last year I have had to replace the long plastic luff trac twice. One place to really concentrate your attention to is the interface between the metal part of the luff trac on the mast and the plastic comptip part. This must be exactly flush or you will have all sorts of trouble. The plastic pece cant start to warp and pull away at this point. This costs about a 90 dollars to replace with a new one. you can take off and file away on the plastic piece to make it flush.
Get rid of the little metal sail feeder at the bottom this is only gets int the way and can chew the foot of the sail. Make sure you seal the screws back in when youre done.


You really need to be hooked in at the top. This main can need a lot of downhaul causing lots of stretch on the halyard and stress on the roller at top.

I have the sail feeder on my H21SE mast. It is chewing up the bottom end of the cord when I feed it in for down-hulling. But then again, I have old sails; time for new or newer set of sails anyhow.

--
Flightlead Bimare F18 HT SpaceCoast
--