New to Hobie Cat sailing :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

New to Hobie Cat sailing

motorhead66

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 07, 2009

Last visit: Jul 07, 2009

Posts: 1
Posted: Jul 07, 2009 - 12:31 PM

I just bought a Hobie 14 Turbo and had it on the water for the first time this last weekend. I read all the info that I could on the Hobie Cat web site but I couldn't find any info on the main sheet traveler and how to use it. The day I sailed the boat I rigged the main sheet correctly but when I got out on the lake I saw that I had the sheet rapped around the traveler some how so I just left the swivel cleet uncleeted for the short time that I was out. My question is how do you use the traveler? Are you supposed to let it slide with the boom or are you supposed to cleet it in the center of the cross bar? I am new to catamarans and have only sailed monohulls in the past and none of them had this type of main sheet setup. Thanks for your help.
mma600psi

Rank: Mate

Registered: Mar 08, 2008

Last visit: Feb 05, 2017

Posts: 247
Posted: Jul 07, 2009 - 12:42 PM

I am guessing it is the same as the hobie 16. If so your traveler sheet should be tied off to the rear cross bar. It will them pass forward through the traveler and then through the traveler cleat. And yes cleat it off.

If you are sailing up wind (close reach), the traveler should only be out around 4 inches from center.
When you are running down wind it should be sheeted out to the end of the cross bar. For all other points you have to find the right spot in between.

Once that is setup you are then going to set your main sheet. This is really where most of your adjustments should be.

An absolute must for anyone with a catamaran:
http://www.amazon.com/Catamaran-Sailing-Finish-Phil-Berman/dp/039331880X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246984713&sr=8-3/
mbsailor

Rank: Lubber

Registered: May 27, 2008

Last visit: Jul 07, 2009

Posts: 7
Posted: Jul 07, 2009 - 02:46 PM

The traveler is essential for balancing your boat. There are books on this, but in a nutshell: When you're going upwind you want the boom over the center of the boat, and even with the mainsheet all the way in, this may not be possible. So pull the traveler as high as you can. This will enable you to point higher. But be alert: This will cause the boat to heel more and increase wind helm. If it heels too much, then drop down the traveler. You won't be able to point as high, but that's preferable to winding up on the water.
The best way to learn this is to put the boat on a close-haul course, then lift the traveler and feel how much higher you can point, and how the wind helm changes.
Good luck, and have fun!
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: May 22, 2024

Posts: 7089
Posted: Jul 07, 2009 - 03:57 PM

welcome to the cat sailing club. I am sure you will love the speed and thrills of a cat compared to the mono's.

another important use for the traveler is to depower when needed.

For instance you are sailing home but the wind is picking up. You dont want to let so much mainsheet out to create a huge pocket in the main (causing you to power up now with less control).. so travel out some.

This will keep a tight (flat) sail.. and you can more safely get to the beach
pomalley

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 14, 2003

Last visit: Aug 25, 2014

Posts: 31
Posted: Jul 07, 2009 - 04:43 PM

One more thing!!! While technically you can let the traveler all the way to the end of the crossbar when going downwind, be careful in really strong wind! We used to have a Hobie 16 and once, in a strong wind, we did an uncontrolled jibe and the traveler shot all the way across onto the other tack with enough force to shatter it, sending the bearings scampering off to Davey Jones. Less of an issue now on the 18, but I always left about an inch of clearance after that.
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: May 22, 2024

Posts: 7089
Posted: Jul 07, 2009 - 05:14 PM

good call Peter.
gybeing in heavy air is an art form that should be practiced in light air. there are a couple key things to making it less dramatic...

Keep your speed up when gybing.. i found turning upwind a little to heat it up (and match the wind speed) makes gybeing much smother.

Gently tack and when you get close to that point where the sail will move across to the "new Leeward side" grab the boom, or the blocks (sheet) and help it across..

edited by: andrewscott, Jul 07, 2009 - 05:34 PM
smfinley

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 24, 2005

Last visit: Apr 18, 2023

Posts: 709
Posted: Jul 07, 2009 - 05:24 PM

Also for high wind gybing as you help the boom across I usually sheet in the traveler so if it slips out of my hand it can't go very far. Then let the traveller back out as you round the gybe. I have heard horror stories like Peter's and do not want to experience one myself. In heavy air I often use just my main which makes tacking difficult so I get stuck gybing in heavy air. Gybing in windy conditions is an easy way to flip if you aren't careful.

--
Scott,
‘92 H18 w/SX wings
‘95 Hobie Funseeker 12 (Holder 12)
‘96/‘01/‘14 Hobie Waves
--
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: May 22, 2024

Posts: 7089
Posted: Jul 07, 2009 - 05:33 PM

Yes i went through my pretty new Tornado Sail window in 30 during a gybe. my mystere was new to me... and i was sheeting in the traveler to minimize the BANG on the other side... but i didn't expect a twist in my line to make it impossible to let out the traveler line when needed....

Flip
Rip
Splash.....

My sail window was replaced, but it never had the same shape.
turbohobo

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 19, 2006

Last visit: Aug 16, 2017

Posts: 613
Posted: Jul 07, 2009 - 05:39 PM

motorhead, not a good pseudonym for someone who now has no motor at all, welcome. Under Technical Help Gallery you will find an album H16 4:1 Mainsheet Setup, check it out, it will help you thread your sheeting line, the only difference being that the H14T only has one block on the boom whereas the H16 has 2. Make sure your line is controlling the traveler car and follow all/any advice as above, if threaded correctly, you should have no hang-up's.

--
TurboHobo
H14T
H16
P18
G-Cat 5.0
P16
--