Hobie University, NAHCA
Page
21
31 Mar 02
Hobie 17 – Rigging, Tuning and Sailing Guide
by Dan Kulkoski
This guide will help get you and your Hobie 17 in the ballpark, but remember it is only a guide, there are many
ways to setup and sail a Hobie Cat fast.
General setup
3-8 mph
9-13 mph
>13 (white caps)
See note
Mast Rake
26’ 11
1
/
2
”
26’ 11
1
/
2
” - 27’
1
/
4
” 27’
1
/
4
”
1
Rudder Toe under
1
3
/
4
”
1
1
/
2
”
2
Rudder Alignment
1
/
8
” toe in
1
/
8
” toe in
1
/
8
” toe in
Batten Tension
Fairly hard
Fairly hard
Fairly hard
3
Rig tension
Real loose
Slightly loose
Slightly loose
1 Chain plate hole difference
Tell Tales
– 2 sets a couple of inches behind the vertical panel. 1 third and 2 thirds up.
I also have one off the back, which should suck forward from time to time when going to weather.
Crossbars
– If your boat takes on water, more than likely, it is getting in through your crossbar cups. Take the
cups off and seal the peg and screw holes with 3M 5200 before reassembling. I also put MarineTex on my
saddles, placing a piece of saran wrap between it and the crossbar. Assemble before the MarineTex sets up.
This gives me a good stiff boat. Periodically check bolts for tightness.
Note 1:
To get this measurement, connect the halyard twist shackle to a 100’ tape measure, running it up and
lock the ring in at the top of the mast. Take your tape reading at the traveler track. I believe the boat should be
perfectly balanced with no helm. Mast rake and toe under go hand in hand to achieve neutral helm. Depending
on your weight (light skippers need less power, more mast rake) set your boat up, go sailing and play with your
mast rake. Keep notes so you can get repeatability.
Note 2:
If you have too much weather helm or lee helm, adjust your rudder toe under. You might even have to
redrill.
Note 3:
You can always flatten your sail afloat, but it’s real tough to make it more full (more power) afloat.
Punching your battens in will give the power needed to pound through choppy seas and you can still flatten the
sail using the downhaul, sheet tension and mast rotation, should the wind come up. One problem with tight
battens is the top one or two might not pop when you gybe in light air. I change these 2 out between H16 jib
style battens and H16 main style battens depending on the wind strength. Higher winds = stiffer battens.
Upwind sailing
3-8 mph
9-13 mph
>13 (white caps)
Note
Main sheet tension
Light
Tighter
REAL TIGHT
1
Downhaul (6:1 a must)
Loose, diagonal
wrinkles in sail
Wrinkles out to
fairly tight
Hand hurting
tight
Traveler
Center to 4” out
Center to 4” out
Out until you can
keep boat flat
Mast rotation point
toward
Dagger board
hole or slightly
in front
Slightly in front
of Dagger board
hole
Shroud
Skipper position
Sit on or in front
of crossbar
Just behind
crossbar or sitting
forward on wing
Trapped as far
forward as
possible
Skippers tend to get
onto the wing too
quickly
