Hobie University, NAHCA
Page
29
31 Mar 02
Hobie 20 - General Rigging and Tuning Guide
by Steve Leo
This guide will help get you and your 20 in the ballpark, but remember it is only a guide, there are many ways
to sail a Hobie fast. This guide is good for general sailing, more specific settings for racing follow.
Rigging and Setup
Spreaders
A straight line between the tips should fall 1” to 2” behind the rear edge of the mast. 1” if
you want more power and 2” if you want less power. Crew weight and fullness of sail is used
to determine which you want. Light crew weight = less power. More crew weight = more
power
Diamond Wires Tighten until the middle of the mast prebends 1.25” forward
Mast Rake
Rake it back, start at the second hole from bottom of shrouds. Add a 3’ piece of line to one
of your crew trapeze handles. Unhook it from the shock cord and while holding the mast
centered (no rotation) pull the trapeze line forward and tight touching the very top of the pin
attaching the bridle wire to the hull tang. Mark this spot on the line with your finger or a
piece of tape. Next, with your rudder locked up, move to the back of the boat and hold the
marked spot on the line against the trailing edge of the rudder. It should touch the rudder
approximately 6” from the tip of the rudder. Adjust your forestay and shrouds until you get
this measurement.
Rig Tension
Not too tight, eased enough so mast rotates freely (
≈
2" to 3" movement in shroud).
Rudders
Parallel, no toe in or out.
Tramp
Tight, tight, tight.
Batten tension Just snug enough to where you have a slight snap in the battens when the bend from one side
to the other
Sailing Upwind
Light Air
Main Mast Rotation Point at leeward shroud.
Downhaul
Just take the wrinkles out of the sail (set with main sheeted lightly).
Outhaul
Bottom of sail should have about 4" draft at the center of the sail (distance between
the boom and the foot of the sail measured parallel to the trampoline.
Traveler
Slightly off Centered about 2 “
Mainsheet
Light, do not over sheet as sail will become too flat and hook to windward.
Jib -Halyard Tension until luff is just smooth so no wrinkles show. Don’t over tighten in light air.
Jib Traveler
Varies by mast rake. Sheet your jib snugly and then put pressure on it with your
finger approximately 12” from the clew plate. Move your finger from the leach to the
foot in an arc putting pressure on the sail. You will notice there is difference in the
tightness of the sail as you move. The tightest spot should be exactly half way from
the foot to the leech. Adjust your car on the track until the tight spot is in the center
of the arc.
Blocks
Approximately 2”- 4” outside the footstraps
Jib Sheet
Do not over sheet the jib as it will cut off the airflow to the main. You should keep
your sail approximately 4” from the roller on the end of the spreader in light winds.
Tiller
Foot (sail a little further off the wind) in light air. Steer so that leeward.
Tell tales are flowing but on verge of stalling if you foot much more.
Balance
Bows depressed, crew to leeward, crew and skipper on crossbar or bow.
Moderate Air
Main Mast rotation Point at leeward shroud.
Downhaul
Tight, even tighter in a puff and ease after the puff.
Outhaul
Tight.
Traveler
Centered or just off center if your sail has a tendency to hook.
Mainsheet
Tight
