[quote=Dogboy]Been using this system on Hobies for decades. The most critical things are 1) have the boat pointed [u]directly[/u] into the wind when hoisting and lowering the sail. 2) Know which way you need to rotate the mast to engage and disengage the ring from the hook.
The way these halyard systems generally work is with the boat pointed straight into the wind, you should be able to raise the sail all the way to the top of the mast until the halyard stops. Then release the halyard and the ring will drop onto the hook - all done. If you have difficulty getting the ring to hook, you may need to slightly rotate the mast so the hook turns towards the ring while lowering the sail.
To drop the sail, leave the mast unrotated. Hoist the sail all the way up until it stops and hold. Rotate the mast 90 degrees so the hook turns away from the ring (whichever side of the mast the hook is riveted to, turn the mast that way). Then release the halyard and lower the sail until the ring is below the hook. Then straighten the mast and let the sail down the rest of the way.
The type of ring can also effect how well the system works. In my experience, for Hobies, the best system is the halyard ring with the small loop welded on top for tying off the halyard and with the twist shackle not welded to the ring. Use the smallest overhand knot you can tie off the halyard to the ring.[/quote]
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