Okay. Here's my idea for some mast-up storage. Our Houseboat has a 4 foot swim platform on the back of it, 15' wide. My thought is, I can pull the H18 Bow up and onto the swim platform. The platform is about 6" from the water. The stern of the H18 would still be in the water under those circumstances. However, I believe I can use the cables normally used for the trapeze to lift the Stern of the H 18 out of the water. I would simply bring these cables forward to the upper deck of the houseboat and secure them to the very stable railing that is attached to the houseboat. This concept basically uses the mast as a big lever to lift the stern the H18 out of the water. Comments please?

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Tim Young
Hobie 18' + other stuff that floats and goes.
Kentucky
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Are you talking about longterm storage or just for a weekend at a time storage? I am guessing to are thinking at least all summer this way. I would not recommend puttng those forces on the front 4' of the bows. Maybe for a weekend, but not all th time. Also a storm could push the stern around and possibly lift the stern when wind gets under the tramp. Maybe lines holding the stern in place would help secure it.

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Scott,
‘92 H18 w/SX wings
‘95 Hobie Funseeker 12 (Holder 12)
‘96/‘01/‘14 Hobie Waves
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~~ I think YOUR NUTS~~

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~ Vietnam Vet 69-71~ 17 Hobie w/big jib, ~18 Hobie mag,~DN Ice sailor,
and other toys.......
~~ I live in NY state on the north shore of Oneida lake in
Bernhards Bay. ~~~~~~
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I am skeptical

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Kenneth Purdy
Hobie 16
Nacra 5.2 (2)
Banshee
First Coast, Florida
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Theoretically it would work. My thoughts are that would would need to fashion some sort of a back stay though since the main will not be up and sheeted.

I think it would be much more desirable if you were to attempt this, to do it with the boat sideways. You might want to leave the mast step been in as well.

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Greenville SC

Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
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Thanks for the input. So far, based on input, I plan to fashion a couple of "pillows" for the bows to give some cushion. I plan to bring the halyard down to the outhaul and tighten the main sheet to create a back stay. Finally, I agree that wind lifting the boat may be an issue. I may need to use a pole between the mast and the houseboat to keep the boat from lifting. Sideways won't work in our houseboat slip due to width constraints.

The storage is just for a few weeks in the Summer during houseboat season. Longer term is mast down in my driveway.

I'm heading to the lake for a week and I'll try a few variations and post a photo or two. If you guys have more ideas put em on here and I'll add them into the "design".

One final comment. They said the Wright Brothers were "Nuts".

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Tim Young
Hobie 18' + other stuff that floats and goes.
Kentucky
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Make sure you don't have any water in the hulls, or extra weight when lifting the stern out of the water. Just like the mast any weight on the back would have a big mechanical advantage generating force where the hull is piviting on the dock. Even if no water on hulls, protect that pivot point so it doesn't crush the hull.

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Scott,
‘92 H18 w/SX wings
‘95 Hobie Funseeker 12 (Holder 12)
‘96/‘01/‘14 Hobie Waves
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If the point is to just get the boat out of the water for the work week. Why not get two barrels and float the stern. You could sink the barrels and use a shop vac to blow air in them to float the rig. When you are under way, leave the cat's bow on the platform, remove the barrels, and go.

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FYC, Nacra 5.2 "Chris's Flyer" & Nacra Playcat & Farrier Tramp
Previously owned: Trac 14, H14, H16, H18, N5.0, G-cat 5.0
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Tim,

Is your Houseboat kept in a slip or out on a mooring? A more practical and proven method of keeping the boat on the water mast up is with a float, some really nice ones have been built with a built in ramp and winch to pull the boat up dry onto the float.

I'll try to find pictures.

I think you underestimate the forces that would work on your described rig when floating.

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

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Guys, thanks for the input. Keep it coming. Agree that water in the hulls would make matters/forces worse. Will monitor that. Protecting hulls should be doable with proper placement of some cushions. Since it's my baby, a proper bed is needed.

I like the idea of floating the stern with something. Guys raise and lower their runabouts all the time with flotation at their small slips. A variation of that could work for sure. Wheels are now turning. I want the flotation to be connected to the houseboat if possible. I'll let it sink straight down when not in use. If the barrels are shaped properly, I may be able to head down the lake with flotation riding nicely behind me.

As for the forces, I thought I'd break out the luggage scales and measure how much forward force on the trap line(s) it takes to lift the stern. That would let me vector the other forces at work on the hulls and rigging. Of course that doesn't consider additional forces caused by wave action and storms.

More to come.

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Tim Young
Hobie 18' + other stuff that floats and goes.
Kentucky
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I have bought white plastic barrels from car washes before for $15 a piece. They need them gone anyway. Run a hose through them for a bit to get all the industrial soap film out before putting in the lake.

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FYC, Nacra 5.2 "Chris's Flyer" & Nacra Playcat & Farrier Tramp
Previously owned: Trac 14, H14, H16, H18, N5.0, G-cat 5.0
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You could raise the sterns with your system and then put somthing in between