Educated guess from H16 and H14-Turbo owner (short version; the long version is LONG!):
First of all, keep in mind that there's no telling what mods/hacks previous owners may have done to this older boat. If it ever really had a furling system, then it was almost certainly an add-on kit installed after the boat left the factory, and it probably worked pretty much as you've described (like the H14T)....drum on bottom, swivel (spinny bit) up top, and jam cleat on main beam for furling line. (The H14T has no jib halyard or regular forestay...the jib luff wire acts as the forestay.)
Furling gear will be crazy expensive if you can even source it. Assuming you have stock forestay and bridle wires, your best bet by far is to get a good used stock jib and battens. The stock jib is larger, has more shape to the roach, and will perform WAY better, especially off the wind. (That'll solve your clew issue as well). Furling on the H16 is complicated by the fact that, unlike most cats, the entire rig tension is set by tightening the jib halyard and the jib luff wire (not the forestay) carries that load. The jib luff wire is then so taught that there is no need for more hanks (there's only one near the top to aid in raising it).
If you want to keep the existing jib as a spare, try punching in a new (oversized?) grommet with some nylon webbing backing up both sides. Or source/fab a clew plate as you suggest. (I'd just get a stock jib and not bother.)
You could benefit greatly from some local, knowledgeable, hands-on help, and beachcat sailors are usually more than willing to provide it. Put your location in your sig and contact a nearby fleet rep (
https://hcana.hobieclass.com/hobie-fleets/) to see if they can hook you up. Tons of valuable info on Hobie's Support pages (
https://www.hobie.com/support/hobie-16/) also, and you can post questions/help requests on their H16 Forum, too (
https://www.hobie.com/forums/).
Fire away with any more questions.
Edited by rattlenhum on Apr 28, 2024 - 10:04 PM.
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Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi
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