To adjust on the fly, I would recommend having a swiveling cleat on either side of the mast. On the Tornado and FrankenKitty, I have the downhauls led to the outer hull. I race FrankenKitty singlehanded and have sailed it in 30 knots of wind singlehanded and adjust the downhaul while on the trap.
It is possible, but is it worth it?
I have found that with the carbon sails and the stiff Prindle mast, the downhaul adjustment is very limited. I typically have 3 adjustments; light air wrinkles just removed, on the wire with a full arm length pulled and heavy air which is a bit more snug. There is not much shape change with these sails - we designed them that way. For everyday sailing, I'm not sure how much benefit vs hassle and extra lines on the tramp having a double ended downhaul would be.
-- Scott
Prindle Fleet 2
TCDYC
Prindle 18-2 Mod "FrankenKitty"
Tornado Classic "Fast Furniture"
Prindle 19 "Mr. Wiggly"
Nacra 5.8 "De ja vu"
Nacra 5.0
Nacra 5.8
Tornadoes (Reg White) --
I'm not sure how much benefit vs hassle and extra lines on the tramp having a double ended downhaul would be.
Agreed - i have seen upgraded h16's downhaul but never on a wave - probably not need - i was just saying it is certainly possible to adjust on the fly and while solo
Just as an FYI. My local sailing center offers sailing lessons... Here is some of what they say:
As a single sailed catamaran, the Wave is perfect for introducing the theory of sailing to those who have never sailed before. Once you are ready, the next lesson on the Sunfish will emphasize how to physically balance the boat, as the basic maneuvers learned in the Wave become more challenging.
In other words, the Sunfish is harder to sail than the Wave. Also, a well sailed Laser is every bit as fast as a Wave. (The Laser's D-PN is 91.1 while the Wave's is 92.1 which means the Laser is technically faster.)
If you are looking to "level up" from your Sunfish or go faster than a Laser, then the Wave probably isn't a good choice.
...In other words, the Sunfish is harder to sail than the Wave. Also, a well sailed Laser is every bit as fast as a Wave. (The Laser's D-PN is 91.1 while the Wave's is 92.1 which means the Laser is technically faster.)
If you are looking to "level up" from your Sunfish or go faster than a Laser, then the Wave probably isn't a good choice.
I still think a Hobie 14T will look so good next to my Sunfish.
In other words, the Sunfish is harder to sail than the Wave. Also, a well sailed Laser is every bit as fast as a Wave. (The Laser's D-PN is 91.1 while the Wave's is 92.1 which means the Laser is technically faster.)
Meh - a sunfish is a very different boat and is MUCH more weight sensitive (will rock a lot easier since it is a single hull vs 2 hulls that are a few feet away from eachothere - that is why it will teach you weight distribution) - that doesn't make it harder to sail - I would say it is much easier to handle, learn on, and depower if hit with a gust (just let go of the mainsheet and the sail will blow directly downwind - de powering it almost completely / immediately, where a catamaran sail will hit the side-stays and still "show it's face to the wind" in many points of sail
they teach little kids on optis (small single sail dingies that look like bathtubs) - the sunfish is pretty similar boat besides shaped differently
Catamarans are harder to tack due to the fact you have to push the leaward hull around the windward hull
The Laser is a fiberglass olympic class racing dingy - the wave is a plastic (rotomolded) beginner catamaran (although can be enjoyed by any age/skill)
saying a laser is faster is true but apples to oranges
The Laser is a fiberglass olympic class racing dingy - the wave is a plastic (rotomolded) beginner catamaran (although can be enjoyed by any age/skill)
saying a laser is faster is true but apples to oranges
I only mention it because sun said earlier, "I wanna smoke all the Lasers!" I just wanted to warn that on a Wave, there won't be a lot of Laser smoking.
I only mention it because sun said earlier, "I wanna smoke all the Lasers!" I just wanted to warn that on a Wave, there won't be a lot of Laser smoking.
And the last few season there's been one for sale around Traverse City, MI.
Or have you thought about an A-cat,those are lighter and can be lots of fun too. On the classified there's a Taipan 4.9 which has the same weight as the Hobie 14 and much newer model.
Taipan 4.9 which has the same weight as the Hobie 14 and much newer model.
problem with these cat's is there is no N.American support and parts would be hard to come by - and if found would be shipped from Down Under (unless you get very lucky and someone in N. America has spare parts)
In other words, the Sunfish is harder to sail than the Wave. Also, a well sailed Laser is every bit as fast as a Wave. (The Laser's D-PN is 91.1 while the Wave's is 92.1 which means the Laser is technically faster.)
they teach little kids on optis (small single sail dingies that look like bathtubs) - the sunfish is pretty similar boat besides shaped differently
-- Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap --
And the last few season there's been one for sale around Traverse City, MI.
Or have you thought about an A-cat,those are lighter and can be lots of fun too. On the classified there's a Taipan 4.9 which has the same weight as the Hobie 14 and much newer model.Edited by dwk on Dec 02, 2022 - 01:14 PM.
Ocean City is such a great venue for sailing. And there is a H14 for sale there. Lucky people. I need to find an H14 just like that. It looks as if it is in good condition.
Taipan 4.9 which has the same weight as the Hobie 14 and much newer model.
problem with these cat's is there is no N.American support and parts would be hard to come by - and if found would be shipped from Down Under (unless you get very lucky and someone in N. America has spare parts)
Also they seem to be advanced for my current skills.
Meh - a sunfish is a very different boat and is MUCH more weight sensitive
A Sunfish has a hard chine which gives it some stability - not as much as a catamaran, but all the same, and you really have to rock it to get it to tip
Also they seem to be advanced for my current skills.
Meh, you can dummy it down (and flip often) - till you learn to stop (and what u did wrong)
you learn from your mistakes - and sailing with good sailers
my first cat was a H16 - didn't have a clue
then a h18 and met the local cat sailers - found a clew
got my 5.5 (same rigging as a a modern tipan 4.9)
I put 2 and 2 together and "got it" (upwind)
understanding downwind sailing was a whole new skillset
Nothing wrong starting and learning on 90's sail plan - esp if you have basic sailing skills to start with