Hi I am new to thebeachcats and own a Hobie 14. I bought it as a used boat but have brought it back to life. My question is that my shrouds and forestay are all a bit shorter than the stated lengths on the spec sheet. I ordered new shrouds and forestay today but need a little help tensioning the rig. Some say they should run loose but I am not sure how loose. Any help here would be really appreciated. Thanks
Assuming you have a stock (not Turbo) H14...Yes, it is generally common to run the rig loose. In fact, it is often run so loose that the excess main halyard needs to be cinched around the mast and main beam to keep the mast from popping out of the step during a capsize. A mast rake line (flopper stopper) is used to force the mast forward some and keep it from banging around when sailing off the wind.
Here are some resources:
Hobie 14 Catamaran Tuning Guide | TheBeachcats.com
If you have a H14 Turbo, that is a whole 'nother story.
Hi Thank you for the reply. Yes I have a standard 14 but I have a front cross bar with a dolfin striker from a turbo. I guess someone in the history of this boat wanted to elevate the boom more for head clearance that may be why the shrouds are longer and the forestay is short. Is there any problem with running the rig semi tight for just general sailing? So you let a weight hang from the top of the mast then measure to the mast track? Well I guess I will see how it sets up when I get the new stock lengths. Again thank you for the help.
Welcome to the site and congrats on the new to you beachcat.
I sent you this info in answer to your email yesterday, but repeat it since there are probably others starting with Hobie 14's.
If you don't have the original Hobie 14 setup manual you can download it here.
Once you are setup, I have a tuning guide created by a Hobie 14 champion sailor that should help.
https://archive.thebeachcats.com/pictures/index.php?/category/939
Thanks again I think I get it now I will see how she sets up in the spring. I still don't get the twist of the shroud 120 or 45 degree thing It looks like he is twisting the shroud 90 degrees that would be really loose. Well I am sure I will figure the thing out thanks again.
Mark L
It's not uncommon for a H14 Turbo platform to be running unirig, and there were kits to mod the stock H14 into a Turbo...doesn't really matter. The dolphin striker trusses up the mast...I'd call that a plus. Regarding wire lengths, it is possible that you got a combination of stock H14 and H14 Turbo parts. The bridle wires and forestay are different on the Turbo to accomodate the swivel and roller furler...not sure about the shroouds. On a previously owned boat, anything's possible (read could be wrong).
It's no problem running the rig tighter while you're figuring things out. In fact it sounds like a very good idea. My comments above were referring to those who are racing competitively and want/know how to get everything they can out of the boat in all conditions and points of sail.
Make that thing safe to sail this winter so you'll be ready to run the heck out of it when it gets warmer!
From a performance standpoint, for non-competetive sailing, I don’t think you would notice any perceptible difference between a loose or a snug rig. In fact, the connection of the shrouds to the trampoline side bars inherently allows the rig to effectively loosen because the sidebars are so flexible.
I would suggest running the rig snug so that there’s no risk of the mast jumping off of the step and dismasting during a capsize You can use a trapeze line or the main halyard to support the mast temporarily while you tighten the side stays after stepping
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