While blowing hard a catamaran, being a very light boat, may have not enough turning inertia to go through the wind unless you are acting fast enough: the boat may "stall" - stop turning before you get position "in the wind". The solution is pushing the rudder pretty energetically and at the same time closing the main to help the boat to turn in the wind. Well, if you are sailing solo it's not easy to do these two actions at the same time. In case you stall you have nothing to do but to go back off the wind, gain speed and make another trial. What makes the situation even more difficult is that you might not want to jibe at strong wind because jibe will take way too much space and time, and your speed may be dangerously high while jibing at this condition. And here is the second and a very important moment. Having passed through the wind with your main closed and with virtually zero boat speed - this is "the best" position to get capsized. To avoid this you have to open your main immediately after the boat passed through the wind, this will give you two benefits: first, the boat will turn away from the wind faster. And the second: having your main open you reduce the wind load on the sail wile your speed is still low. After that you may start gradually closing the main to increase the power and accelerate the boat. (Have been sailing Dart 18 since 2002)
Hard to believe this is your first effort at an instructional video. Nice clear footage chosen, and good audio quality. Your pacing of the points you want to make is just right, and the complexity is pitched at a level that will be of interest to both beginner and intermediate.
I notice you tack rather quickly (typical of high wind sailors) losing boat speed. I’m a light wind sailer and make a much wider turn coming into the wind and powering the main until releasing to come through the wind. Have you tuned your rudders, by slightly angling the bottom towards the bow? This reduces heavy helm and helps tacking. Great instructions and video, easy to follow your explaination. Thanks
i have a question: i perceive over rotation of my mast ( Hobie 14 Turbo ), the shrouds are tight, the jib halyard is tight, the traveler is centered, the main sheet is blocked out, and dam that mast seams to be over rotating and munting the stoppers on the mast base - anybody got any thoughts - please - cheers :)
This is very usefull ! Tomorrow I go for the first time out in the Iroise sea, at the entrance of Brest, France. I'm a greenie, just a few hous in the med... What I have trouble with is the exact secuence of events... Could I have a short step by step, with out crew ? something like : Turn-Jibb fills_ Main & tiller go... etc... Many thanks !
I just took my 16 out this weekend solo in 15mph winds. Left the jib off and therefore could not get the boat to come about. This video showed me how to use the jib to push the bow through the turn and gain speed while controlling the main and tiller. Thanks. Tipped it over too. The main was sheeted. Won't make that mistake again. Jib crew would be helpful too. Thanks for the video. Cheers
Great vid, light wind is a lot harder to tack in, crew might need to grab the jib while standing...and force the sail around the front of the mast. Back-winding in light wind will kill your forward momentum. Also, light wind, you might need to "pop" the boom to get sail shape on your tacks. Raking the mast forward for light wind will ease your jibes, but make jibes tough in high wind. I really liked this video, regular speed will help beginners realize the fluidity of a proper tack.
Hey, really good video. (I know you made this a long time ago, but I just saw it.) Would love tips on tacking in light winds, and in particular, I've been trying to keep the weight (of skipper and crew) far back on what will become the lee hull, raising the bows and the (new) windward hull, in order to make the turn. Anyone care to comment on that technique.
Great training video. Like the verbal and video "slow motion" feel. Good tips. What type of Spinnaker is that? down wind, reaching etc? how well does a spinnaker work with a Hobie 16? The hobie 16 is such a sexy boat! Thanks and continued happy sailing.
Your crew is going in and out in front of the side stay. You shouldn't do that as you have to stand up causing a lot of windage. Therefore the crew should go behind the stay and swing in like the skipper at the same time. If you do this you will keep your momentum and not slow you down in the tack.
I just got to sail my Hobie Cat 16 for the first time yesterday and it was truly amazing, wish I had a bit more air but overall it was awesome. My only problem was with the extension pole for the rudders while tacking, had to swing it behind the main sheet, and it really is pain in the ass, especially when its fully extended. I thought I had something rigged wrong but couldn't find a different way to rig it. I see in this video that you guys are doing it the same way I was doing it, I guess it will just get some using to.
Some of the best photography coverage showing proper tacking skills. Excellent!!! Keep up the good work!!! Your instruction is right on. I'm having my crew watch your video.Thanks
awesome vid. I just sailed a Hobie for the first time, a Hobie 14. I see that I will need to start using my jib more as you backwinded your jib just as I used to do in my catalina 25 to help through tacks. In the last shot you can see clearly she backwinds the jib to help bring you through. Excellent footage!
Hello, thank you for this post. Question is how do you work with the trapeze as the helm during the take? I would like to begin using a trapeze but I have no experience with it. Any information that you have would be helpful.
Just watched your video and found it to very informative. Good Job! Please continue with more videos as I am getting ready to retire in Florida and plan on doing some sailing.
From my experience you don't want the jib cranked in on the wrong side during the entire tack. The crew should crack it off a little at a time while it is backwinding. By the time the bows are around the jib should be almost touching the mast. Then snap it across. A well done video none the less.
In a Hobie 16 particularily, the longer the jib is left on the wrong side, the more the bow of the boat will be pushed out of irons, if the jib is released too early, the boat will return to irons, and either return to the previous tack, or get stuck in irons. From experience, the jib can only be corrected when the mainsail is filled and moving the boat.
Thanks for this video very helpful. I noticed that your tacks are very swift so assume that you push the rudder quite aggresive. Myself I sail a Nacra 5.0 (most of time in very light winds) and I'm often unsure how much rudder to give it when tacking. I often find it difficult to get the right combination of keeping enough speed to actually complete the tack vs how much rudder I can give which potentially puts the boat at a dead stop without the ability to do anything anymore. It doesn't always work out and we sometimes end up going in reverse or using the jib to push the boat through the wind. Of course Hull shape matters in this case but do you have any tips for me?
In most of my tacks, I tend to use increasing pressure when tacking, and just stop increasing when I feel that the boat will make it through, don't apply too much rudder angle, as this will act more of a brake that a steering device... Usually, if I find I didn't steer enough, i'll reverse out of it and try again... ALSO, a crucial thing to consider is also boat balance, in lighter winds, try not to switch sides, until the boat has indeed completed the tack, this will aid in completion in under 12 knots of wind. I hope this helps, but I'll be putting a tutorial video out soon on this topic. Cheers, HMT69
Hello, If you have a standard jib halyard, (single pulley at top of mast) I can't say much, but if your boat has the "Aussie" Halyard system (two pulleys, one at jib head, one at head of mast), this allows for "on-the-fly" mast rake adjustment. Once the jib has been fully raised, extra tension may be pulled onto the halyard system, which basically pulls the mast more towards the bow (lessens the rake). Particularly, if you are sailing anything 15 knots or lighter, you'll want more tension on the halyard (forestay should be visibly loose), bringing the mast higher. In heavy winds (15+ knots) you'll want your mainsheet blocks roughly 1-2 inches apart at FULL sheet. All in all, Jib setup is easy... but in lighter winds, the jib luff wire should be 100% supporting the weight of the mast. I hope this helps! I'll probably put out a tutorial video next time I go out sailing. Cheers, HMT69
While blowing hard a catamaran, being a very light boat, may have not enough turning inertia to go through the wind unless you are acting fast enough: the boat may "stall" - stop turning before you get position "in the wind". The solution is pushing the rudder pretty energetically and at the same time closing the main to help the boat to turn in the wind. Well, if you are sailing solo it's not easy to do these two actions at the same time. In case you stall you have nothing to do but to go back off the wind, gain speed and make another trial. What makes the situation even more difficult is that you might not want to jibe at strong wind because jibe will take way too much space and time, and your speed may be dangerously high while jibing at this condition.
And here is the second and a very important moment. Having passed through the wind with your main closed and with virtually zero boat speed - this is "the best" position to get capsized. To avoid this you have to open your main immediately after the boat passed through the wind, this will give you two benefits: first, the boat will turn away from the wind faster. And the second: having your main open you reduce the wind load on the sail wile your speed is still low. After that you may start gradually closing the main to increase the power and accelerate the boat.
(Have been sailing Dart 18 since 2002)
Hard to believe this is your first effort at an instructional video. Nice clear footage chosen, and good audio quality. Your pacing of the points you want to make is just right, and the complexity is pitched at a level that will be of interest to both beginner and intermediate.
Thank you so much for the various angles. Very instructional.
I notice you tack rather quickly (typical of high wind sailors) losing boat speed. I’m a light wind sailer and make a much wider turn coming into the wind and powering the main until releasing to come through the wind. Have you tuned your rudders, by slightly angling the bottom towards the bow? This reduces heavy helm and helps tacking. Great instructions and video, easy to follow your explaination. Thanks
Really nice first effort at an instructional video. As a new Hobie 16 sailor, I found it helpful. Thanks.
Great explanations man, I really appreciate the info.
thanks for the video. I'm going to show this to my crew. Hal
A really excellent video and very instructive! Wish you would put up some more hobie 16 instructive videos.
i have a question: i perceive over rotation of my mast ( Hobie 14 Turbo ), the shrouds are tight, the jib halyard is tight, the traveler is centered, the main sheet is blocked out, and dam that mast seams to be over rotating and munting the stoppers on the mast base - anybody got any thoughts - please - cheers :)
What sort of camera did you use ?
This is very usefull ! Tomorrow I go for the first time out in the Iroise sea, at the entrance of Brest, France.
I'm a greenie, just a few hous in the med...
What I have trouble with is the exact secuence of events...
Could I have a short step by step, with out crew ?
something like : Turn-Jibb fills_ Main & tiller go... etc...
Many thanks !
I just took my 16 out this weekend solo in 15mph winds. Left the jib off and therefore could not get the boat to come about. This video showed me how to use the jib to push the bow through the turn and gain speed while controlling the main and tiller. Thanks.
Tipped it over too. The main was sheeted. Won't make that mistake again. Jib crew would be helpful too. Thanks for the video.
Cheers
Great vid, light wind is a lot harder to tack in, crew might need to grab the jib while standing...and force the sail around the front of the mast. Back-winding in light wind will kill your forward momentum. Also, light wind, you might need to "pop" the boom to get sail shape on your tacks. Raking the mast forward for light wind will ease your jibes, but make jibes tough in high wind. I really liked this video, regular speed will help beginners realize the fluidity of a proper tack.
Hey, really good video. (I know you made this a long time ago, but I just saw it.) Would love tips on tacking in light winds, and in particular, I've been trying to keep the weight (of skipper and crew) far back on what will become the lee hull, raising the bows and the (new) windward hull, in order to make the turn. Anyone care to comment on that technique.
Great training video. Like the verbal and video "slow motion" feel. Good tips. What type of Spinnaker is that? down wind, reaching etc? how well does a spinnaker work with a Hobie 16? The hobie 16 is such a sexy boat!
Thanks and continued happy sailing.
Your crew is going in and out in front of the side stay. You shouldn't do that as you have to stand up causing a lot of windage. Therefore the crew should go behind the stay and swing in like the skipper at the same time. If you do this you will keep your momentum and not slow you down in the tack.
I just got to sail my Hobie Cat 16 for the first time yesterday and it was truly amazing, wish I had a bit more air but overall it was awesome. My only problem was with the extension pole for the rudders while tacking, had to swing it behind the main sheet, and it really is pain in the ass, especially when its fully extended. I thought I had something rigged wrong but couldn't find a different way to rig it. I see in this video that you guys are doing it the same way I was doing it, I guess it will just get some using to.
If thats what you think, youve never sailed a H16, thats the best and only way to get the front end around efficiently
seems like a torture technique!...watch Waterworld....Coster uses a crank and a centerboard to control a trimaran 10x the size of this "Hobie".
I - hmmm - didn't see that film as a documentary about multihull sailing ...
love the sailing scenes in Waterworld...that tri hull was built especially for the movie!
John Rogan best movie ever
Some of the best photography coverage showing proper tacking skills. Excellent!!! Keep up the good work!!! Your instruction is right on. I'm having my crew watch your video.Thanks
U a the Best. Please make more tips videos. Seting a boat into strong wind/low wind. Downwind sailing (without spi) aso...
awesome vid. I just sailed a Hobie for the first time, a Hobie 14. I see that I will need to start using my jib more as you backwinded your jib just as I used to do in my catalina 25 to help through tacks.
In the last shot you can see clearly she backwinds the jib to help bring you through. Excellent footage!
Hello, thank you for this post. Question is how do you work with the trapeze as the helm during the take? I would like to begin using a trapeze but I have no experience with it. Any information that you have would be helpful.
This is really great! Please do keep up the educational videos... how about a righting video and suggestions for righting rigs.
super helpful for a first time hobie 18 guy... thank you so very much !!!
@rpiper138 the hobie 14 turbo comes with a jib... very fun to sail..
Very informative - especially due to the slow motion, great explanation and rare (for RUclips) footage quality. Thanks a lot!
Just watched your video and found it to very informative. Good Job! Please continue with more videos as I am getting ready to retire in Florida and plan on doing some sailing.
Do you have the video at full speed? That would be good to see too
good video and explanation. I found this video very helpful
Thanks
From my experience you don't want the jib cranked in on the wrong side during the entire tack. The crew should crack it off a little at a time while it is backwinding. By the time the bows are around the jib should be almost touching the mast. Then snap it across.
A well done video none the less.
In a Hobie 16 particularily, the longer the jib is left on the wrong side, the more the bow of the boat will be pushed out of irons, if the jib is released too early, the boat will return to irons, and either return to the previous tack, or get stuck in irons. From experience, the jib can only be corrected when the mainsail is filled and moving the boat.
thanks - very easy to understand, can't wait to buy my first hobie
thank you for this - appreciated :)
That is what I needed to know! Now I can rent that cat when I head to Fla. next month. Thanks.
very professional!!!!!! good job, man!
Thanks for this video very helpful. I noticed that your tacks are very swift so assume that you push the rudder quite aggresive. Myself I sail a Nacra 5.0 (most of time in very light winds) and I'm often unsure how much rudder to give it when tacking. I often find it difficult to get the right combination of keeping enough speed to actually complete the tack vs how much rudder I can give which potentially puts the boat at a dead stop without the ability to do anything anymore. It doesn't always work out and we sometimes end up going in reverse or using the jib to push the boat through the wind. Of course Hull shape matters in this case but do you have any tips for me?
In most of my tacks, I tend to use increasing pressure when tacking, and just stop increasing when I feel that the boat will make it through, don't apply too much rudder angle, as this will act more of a brake that a steering device... Usually, if I find I didn't steer enough, i'll reverse out of it and try again... ALSO, a crucial thing to consider is also boat balance, in lighter winds, try not to switch sides, until the boat has indeed completed the tack, this will aid in completion in under 12 knots of wind. I hope this helps, but I'll be putting a tutorial video out soon on this topic.
Cheers,
HMT69
Sooo, how do you tack without backwinding?
Thanks for the Vid. Have you got any tips on JIB set-up. I really just clip it in. Is there anything technical I should concentrate on?
Hello,
If you have a standard jib halyard, (single pulley at top of mast) I can't say much, but if your boat has the "Aussie" Halyard system (two pulleys, one at jib head, one at head of mast), this allows for "on-the-fly" mast rake adjustment. Once the jib has been fully raised, extra tension may be pulled onto the halyard system, which basically pulls the mast more towards the bow (lessens the rake). Particularly, if you are sailing anything 15 knots or lighter, you'll want more tension on the halyard (forestay should be visibly loose), bringing the mast higher. In heavy winds (15+ knots) you'll want your mainsheet blocks roughly 1-2 inches apart at FULL sheet. All in all, Jib setup is easy... but in lighter winds, the jib luff wire should be 100% supporting the weight of the mast. I hope this helps! I'll probably put out a tutorial video next time I go out sailing.
Cheers,
HMT69
that is a great video
nice cat video tutorials, very enlightening...
very helpfull keep sending Thanks
Have you made any more training videos??
thanks please make more very good
Good video ... good angles
This was great. Thank you.
bra film, tack
Very useful!
Great video!
at 3:50 it looks like you just tacked really close to the rock cliffs... ajajaj
Thanks for sharing. Hobiecats are so much fun.