Hobie 16

Owners Manual
 In 1950, Hobie’s dream was born in his
parents’ garage when he decided to apply
his love of woodworking to the sport of
surfing. Dad backed out the Buick... Hobie
carved out his very first surfboard...

Hobie’s business of fun had begun.

4 Table of Contents

Owner’s Manual
Terminology ..........................................................................................................................................................5

Safety Advice ........................................................................................................................................................6

Handling and Maintenance ............................................................................................................................8

Warranty .............................................................................................................................................................10

Your Distribution .............................................................................................................................................12

Assembly Manual
List of the Parts ...............................................................................................................................................13

Hull/Crossbar Assembly..............................................................................................................................15

Trampoline Assembly/Righting Line.......................................................................................................16

Rudder Assembly.............................................................................................................................................18

Adjust Rudder Rake........................................................................................................................................20

Mast Preparation.............................................................................................................................................24

Stepping the Mast...........................................................................................................................................27

Main Sail...............................................................................................................................................................28

Boom and Cunningham.................................................................................................................................30

Mainsheet System...........................................................................................................................................31

Jib............................................................................................................................................................................32

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Please read through the instruction manual before using this product
 Terminology 5

Battens

Forestay
Sail
Shroud

Mast

Downhaul
Boom
Forestay /
Bridle
Adjuster
Main Sheet System
Tiller Arm
Bridle
Rudderhead
Hull

Rudder

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6 Safety Advice
Read Carefully Before Sailing:
• Whether on land or on the water, WATCH FOR OVERHEAD POWER
LINES. Contact with power lines can cause serious injury or death.
DO NOT sail while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs

• Only sail in conditions in which you feel comfortable and where

you feel confident that you can safely sail the boat. Never go out in
conditions beyond your ability.

• Everyone on board should wear a life jacket at all times (see the
regulations in force).

• If you are in the water, remain in contact with the boat, even if it is
capsized. A sailboat can drift away faster than a person can swim.

• Never sail without a righting line.

• Wear appropriate clothes. Wear a wet suit or dry suit in cold

weather or cold water conditions.
Protect yourself against heat and sun.

• Learn about the local sea regulations.

• Learn the right of way rules and when in doubt, give way to others.

• When not sailing, always keep the boat pointed into the wind
whether in the water or on the beach.

• Read the instruction manual carefully.

• Make sure everyone on the boat reads and understands these

safety instructions.
 Safety Advice 7

• ALWAYS check that the drain plugs are screwed in before launch-
ing your catamaran. Remove the plugs after sailing to drain any
water that may have leaked into the hulls.

Safety Equipment:
All necessary safety equipment must be available on board. (Life jack-
ets, etc.) and must correspond to the boat type, weather conditions,
etc. This material is mandatory in some countries. The crew must
know how to use this material and how to behave in case of emergency
(men at sea, towing, etc.) ; Sailing schools and clubs regularly organise
training sessions to learn how to use the safety equipment and how to
behave in case of emergency.

INTERNATIONAL HOBIE CLASS ASSOCIATION (I.H.C.A.)

Hobie Cat owners are organized in a world-wide class association:
the IHCA (International Hobie Class Association).
For North America, you can contact the Hobie Class Association of North
America.

Visit their web site : http://hcaona.hobieclass.com

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8 Handling and Maintenance
Before sailing, check the following points :
1/ Install the drain plugs (if any) – do not overtighten, hand tight is suf-
ficient. Overtightening may cause the drain plug flange to distort and
cause leakage.

2/ Tension the rig. This can be accomplished by having your assistant

hang from the trapeze or you can use mainsheet tension on one side
at a time so that you can adjust the shroud position in the side stay
adjusters.

3/ Check all fastenings :

- Mast tang shackles and shrouds (to prevent the mast to fall down)
- pins and trapeze rope locks (to prevent falling out in the water if the
trapeze is not well fastened)
- pins and spring rings on the forestay and shrouds (to prevent the
mast to fall down)
- spring rings on the rudder pins (to prevent loosing the rudder as-
sembly in case of capsizing)

Transport
In order to avoid hull damages :

- Always use a dolly to transport your Hobie on the beach (even if it is

sand beach) and for launching. Step into the water with the dolly and
once the cat is afloat take out the dolly.

- DO NOT BEACH. Beaching, even smoothly, may damage the hulls. use
your beach dolly to take the boat out of the water.

- For towing, always use an homologated road trailer with cradles.

Launching your Hobie Cat

Launching the boat is easiest when the boat can be pointed into the
wind to keep it de-powered and floated into deep enough water to
lower the rudders.

It is possible to launch in shallow water with the rudders partly up.

Try not to steer with too much force on the rudders until you lock them
in the down position.

Keep the sail loose and trimmed out completely until you can power up
and steer away from any obstacle.
 Handling and Maintenance 9

Righting your Hobie Cat

If you tip the boat over, in order to avoid the mast from sinking under the
hull, one of the crew must rapidly climb on the hull that remains on the
water. In the meantime, the other crew uncleat all the lines and sheets.
It is not necessary, but it is easier, to right the boat when the bow and
the mast are pointed into the wind. There will be less resistance and
better control in this position.
Skipper and crew stand up on the hull. Using the righting line, skipper
and crew pull the righting line that is against the upper hull and hold the
line while slowly leaning back away from the trampoline. As the mast
and sail lift out of the water, drop down to your knees then into the wa-
ter. Hold on to the crossbar near the hull that you were standing on.
Be well aware of the hull and crossbar coming down over your head.
Holding the crossbar or righting line will also insure that you remain
with the boat when it is righted. Climb aboard and continue sailing.

Maintenance of your Hobie

This manual is not an exhaustive guide for the maintenance or repair of
your Hobie.
Always use the service of an experienced professional for the
maintenance, the mounting of accessories or the modifications to your
Hobie.
Modification that may affect the safety use of the boat must be checked
before processing and made by an experienced professional. The
builder cannot be held for responsible for modification that he has not
duly approved.
In some countries, prior authorizations are necessary or specific
regulations are in force. Check them. Always maintain your boat and
take into account the deterioration that may occur with the time or
following inappropriate or intensive use. Any boat (even the strongest
one) may be severely damaged if it is not used the right way. This is not
compatible with safe sailing.
• Hobie Cat does not recommend leaving your Hobie in the water on a
mooring. Accelerated wear to the boat and rigging will be
• experienced. Damage to the hull material is possible. Limitation
of the mast rotation and tensioning of the rigging are required to
lessen this wear. Inspect rigging often and tape rigging rings and
shackles to prevent loosening.
• After sailing, it’s recommended to wash the hulls to remove the salt.
Also remove the sails and wash them. Only store them when they
are perfectly dry.
• There is one plug in the rear of each hull. These plugs are used to
drain the hulls. The plugs should be in place before sailing. Remove
the plugs after sailing to drain any water that may have leaked into
the hulls. It is best to travel with and store the boat with the plugs
removed to allow for pressure changes due to heating, cooling, and
altitude changes. This will prevent warping of the hull surface.

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10 Warranty

Our Commitment
Here at Hobie we’re enthusiasts like you. We know all about early morn-
ing fishing trips, family time at the beach, or summer time on the lake.
We love being out there, and we’re sure you do too. Our goal is to keep
you out on the water having fun for many years to come.

Warranty
Rest assured that when you purchase your new Hobie from an autho-
rized Hobie dealer it comes with a 3-Year Warranty. The Warranty does
not cover normal wear and tear, improper storage, or running into
stuff. The Warranty covers defects in the materials, manufacturing and
design.

To Obtain Warranty Service

Within 30 days of discovering a defect, take your Hobie product, along
with proof of purchase (sales receipt or registration card) to the autho-
rized Hobie dealer from whom you purchased your boat, unless you have
moved or are traveling. In that case, take it to the nearest authorized
Hobie dealer.

Disclaimer – Product Life Cycle

Every Hobie has a useful product life cycle. The length of that life cycle
will vary depending on multiple factors including; the construction
and materials, storage and transport, maintenance and care, and the
amount and type of use your Hobie is subjected to over its life. We have
been engineering fun on the water since 1950. However, we can’t engi-
neer our products to survive improper usage, such as incorrect storage
or transport, exposure to excessive heat or sunlight, or collisions with
your garage. Whatever the case may be, we’ll always point you in the
right direction.
 Warranty 11

Hobie Sailboats
The sailboat warranty does NOT cover:

Normal wear and discoloration.

Damage caused by abuse or failure to perform normal maintenance.

Damage caused by alterations or modifications.

Transportation of boat or parts to Hobie Cat Company or its dealers.

Any boat used as a rental or placed in commercial service of any kind.

Any other consequential damage, incidental damage or incidental ex-

pense, including damage to property.

Damage caused by modifying the mainsheet block arrangement beyond

what was supplied as standard. Contact Hobie Cat Company for more
information.

Damage or blistering of gel coat caused by mooring or storing boat in

water.

Damage caused by failure to follow procedures in sailing and assembly

manuals.

Damage caused by improperly supporting sailboat when transporting or

storing.
Weather related damage, such as freezing, prolonged sun exposure, or
high winds.

Any other consequential damage, incidental damages or incidental

expense, including damage to property. Some states do not allow the
exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so this
limitation may not apply to you.

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12 Your Distributor

Your dealer is our representative and will bring

you all necessary assistance in order to solve
problems you may encounter.
Please carefully read the warranty conditions
written in this manual.

Please carefully and thoroughly read

this manual. Keep it in a safe place.
Give it to the new owner if you resell
your Hobie.
 List of Parts 13

Wires
Big jib halyard block
Small jib halyard block
2 sets of trapeze
2 shrouds
Forestay + pigtail +
8 mm shackle

Trapezes
4 Trapeze handles
4 adjusting rope locks
2 shackles
2 Trapeze shock cords
4 trapeze lines

Cordages
1
5 1. Main halyard rope on mast
2. Jib sheet
2 3. Righting line
6
4. Rigged Jib halyard rope
5. Main sail downhaul line
3 6. Trampoline side lacing
line
7. 2 trampoline rear lacing
4 7 lines

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14 List of Parts

Rig bag
2 stay adjusters + twist toggles
2 stay adjuster + shackles
Additional stay adjuster
4 pylon screws + 4 pylon screws
2 rudder pin
2 jibsheet blocks + shackles
Teflon washer
4 split rings
2 drain plugs + washers
Gooseneck
Mainsheet system
 Hull/Crossbar Assembly 15

Position the hulls parallel (2 meters apart) and check the left from
the right hull (anti-skid on the deck towards the outside). Start each
corner casting onto the pylon just to get them together. Use the soft
mallet.

1. Insert the sidebars in their

slots on the front cross-
bar. The flared portion of
the sidebar track must be
forward and facing inward.
Fit in the rear crossbar
onto the rear of the hulls
and on the other end of
each sidebar.

2. Once the frame is

assembled and fitted
onto the hulls, drive each
corner casting down onto
the pylon until the bolt
holes line up. Strike the
casting directly over the
pylon only. Use the soft
mallet only.

3. Install the four pylon bolts

and nuts, with the nuts
inboard. Tighten securely,
but do not over-torque.

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16 Trampoline Assembly - Righting Line

1. Insert trampoline half into

the flared sidebar track
so that the grommets are
running down the center and
across the back. Position
the forward edge even with
the forward crossbar. Insert
the forward edge of the
trampoline into the front
cross bar track adjacent to
the corner casting and slide
it all the way to the center.
Repeat this operation for the
opposite side. Install the aft
lacing strip by feeding the
larger bead into the track in
the aft crossbar. Make sure it
is centered. The hiking straps
should be on top.

2. Tie each aft lacing line to the

aft corner casting as follows:
Start with an 8 knot at one
end of the line which you will
block into the inferior hole of
the rear casting (behind the
crossbar fitting). Then, pass
the line through the grommet
on the side of the trampoline
(from underneath), then in
the rear trampoline strip
(from above). After 3 or 4
laces, temporarily tie it at
the aft end. Repeat the same
operation on the other side.
Make sure you pass the line
above the crossbar binding
nut to avoid friction during
sailing.
 Trampoline Assembly - Righting Line 17

3. Tie the center lacing line.

Start with a bowline knot.
Lace the line back and forth
taking up slack as you go.
When lacing go through the
grommets over/under.

4. Stop the central lacing by

a triangle. Use the central
grommet on the rear trampo-
line stripe. Make a key at the
end.

5. Temporarily tie off the line

at the aft end, then remove
slack again by working it out
front to back. Lace the two aft
lines simultaneously in the
same manner.

Righting line
Attach the righting line to one of the front pylon with a figure eight
knot. Tie the other end to the opposite pylon.
The line should be lead under the trampoline through the center
lacing.

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18 Rudder Assembly

1. Rudder head
Identify the right rudder as-
sembly and the left one. They
must not be reversed. Slip
the rudder pin down through
the casting and gudgeons.
Insert the split pin in the hole
of the rudder pin so that it
prevents it from falling down.
Do the same thing on the op-
posite side.

Make sure that the plastic

cam has the nose up as indi-
cated on the drawing.

2. Standard tiller crossbar

Attach the tiller crossbar (1)
1
to the Rudder arm (2). Pay
attention to the left and right
side. Insert the screw as
2
shown on the photo. Repeat
the same operation on the
opposite side.

2. Race tiller crossbar

 Rudder Assembly 19

4. Rudder adjustment
The two rudder blades must
be parallel or slightly turned
inside (3-4 mm). To do this
it is necessary to adjust the
length of the tiller crossbar.
The screw under the tiller
crossbar allows for this
adjustment. Unscrew it and
you can move the bar inside
or outside. Once the rudder
blades are well trimmed, do
not forget to retighten the
screw.

5. Fixation of the tiller

extension
(all models)

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20 Adjust Rudder Rake
Now, for the first time, you may readily, and easily, adjusr the rake
for your rudder blades on the Hobie 14 and 16. The amount of rake in
a rudder lade affects the “feel” at the tiller. Basically, more foreward
rake increases the leward pull on the tiller. Turning blades for a
comfortable feel is a metter of individual preference but a close to
neutral “feel” generally provides the best steerin. (see figure below.)

Rudder blade rake is preset at the factpry to 1-1/8”. This amount will
be best for the average sailer and is a good starting point from which
to begin any adjustments.

1. The first step is making any rudder rake adjustment is to

determine the existing rake. This is done with the rudder assembly
hanging on the boat’s transom, blade down and locked. Using a
straight edge extend the centerline of the rudder pivot pin down,
across the leading edge of the blade and draw a [encil line along
the straight edge. Measure the distance from the pencil line to the
most forward spot on the blade. (see figure below.)

Centerline of rudder pin

Standard setting = 1-1/8”

Decrease forward rake Increase forward rake

for more tiller pull for less tiller pull
 Adjust Rudder Rake 21

2. To make any adjustment to the rake of the rudder blade, unlock

the tiller arm from the rudder housing and leave it unlocked.

3. If you wish to increase the amount of forward rake in the rudder

blade, turn the rake adjusting screw counterclockwise using
a 3/16” allen wrench. Determine the increase in the rake by
extending a new line from the centerline of the pivot pin. Re-
measure the distance from the pencil line to the leading edge.
Continue to adjust and measure until you have the desired amount
of forward rake. (see figure below for the location of the adjusting
screw.)

Decrease forward rake

Adjusting screw
Increase forward rake

Decrease forward rake Increase forward rake

4. If you wish to decrease the amount of forward rake in the rudder

blade, turn the rake adjusting screw clockwise using a 3/16” allen
wrench. Check the decrease in the rake by the prodecure in step 3.

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22 Adjust Rudder Rake

5. Next, carefully latch tiller arm

down onto rudder housing.
Loosen socket buttonhead
adjusting screw on top of
tiller arm about 3/4 turn.
Slide adjusting screw forward
(toward bow of boat) until
it stops. Then tighten. (see
figure below.)

6. Hobie Cat rudder blades are

preset to break away at 17-26
pounds by testing with a line
arounnd the rudder blade
seven inches above the lowest
tip of the blade. (See figure
below.)

Standard =17-26 pounds

7”
 Adjust Rudder Rake 23

Once the rake is changed, this breakaway tension should be

rechecked. The tension may be increased by turning the internal
screw in the housing clockwise and may be decreased by turning it
counterclockwise.

Less tension (easier kick up)

More tension (easier kick up)

7. Additional play in the assembly can be reduced by the following

procedure:
a. Break open the tiller/rudder housing assembly.
b. Loosen the socket button head screw in the tiller housing about
1/2 turn.
c. Slide the screw forward (towards bow) about 1/64”.
d. Retighten the screw.

CAUTION: This procedure will increase the breakaway tension for the
kick up mechanism by a significant amount. Damage may result
to the assembly from striking obstruction in the water. Chack the
increased kick up tension by repeating step 6.

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24 Mast Preparation

1. Take the wire sets and install

them along the mast as
shown on the drawing below :
• helm’s trapeze (2)
• crew’s trapeze (3)
• shroud (4)
• forestay + pigtail (5)
• shroud
•crew’s trapeze
• helm’s trapeze

Use the shackle to fix the wires

to the mast tang (1) insuring
that :

a) the trapezes are slipped

around the shackle pin apart
from the mast tang.
b) the forestay is between the
two shrouds

2. Attach the big block to the

pigtail with a shackle. Hook
the halyard to the small block
with a bowline block. Slip it
into the lower sheave of the
big block then back to the
sheave of the samll block and
then in the upper heave of
the big block. (see the draw-
ing).

3. Take the small block down

to the bottom of the mast.
Thread the jib halyard around
the cheek block at the base
of the mast, through the jib
downhaul block and around
the cleat as shown.
 Mast Preparation 25

5. Attach the main halyard rope to the main halyard wire (falling from
the mast head) with a bowline knot. Set the halyard wire and rope
alongside the mast.
Attach the main halyard rope to the black cleat and then thread it
through the shackle of the halyard cable and secure it back to the
black cleat.

6. Attach the opposite ends of the

bridle wire to the shackle on the
bottom of the forestay adjuster.
If you have a jib furler, attach
the two ends of the bridles to
the furler chain plate using the
shackle.

hobie.com
26 Mast Preparation

7. Check that the bolts of the

shroud anchor bars are well
tightened. Attach the shroud
stay adjuster to the anchor
bolts on each hull with the
clevis pins and lock rings
supplied.

8. Place the mast pivot bearing

in the mast step cup. Install
the mast step link following
the instructions supplied with
the kit.

9. lay the mast on top of the

frame with the mast head aft.
Position the mast foot in front
of the step link body in order
to insert the pin through.

10. Attach the shrouds to the top

holes of the adjusters. Make
sure that the shrouds are not
crossed at the mast tang. Put
the shroud covers over the
adjusters. The mast is ready
for stepping.
 Stepping the Mast 27

ATTENTION - DANGER ALUMINIUM MAST -

When stepping the mast or launching the boat watch for overhead
electric wires. Shock or even death could result if the mast comes
in contact with overhead electric wires.

We recommend that you have someone assist you. As you begin to

raise the mast the link will rotate upward. Stand on the rear crossbar
and raise the mast to your shoulder. At this point, insure that the
shrouds are clear of the rudders and rear corner castings. An assistant
is recommended. Walk forward raising the mast as you go. At the full
upright position, lean the mast forward against the shrouds and have
an assistant attach the forestay (upper hole). Later adjustment may be
necessary.

Once the mast is upright, take the

pin off the mast step link.
Attach one of the shroud to the
four or fifth hole of the stay
adjuster. Have someone pulling
down on the trapeze in order to
relieve the shroud. Do the same
operation on the opposite side.
Caution : it is necessary to have
the same tension on both sides.
Then put the shrouds covers
completely over the stay adjust-
ers.

Trapeze adjustment
Assemble the trapeze adjustment
components as shown
in the illustration. The shock cord
should passe beneath
the trampoline frame from the
port trapeze line to the
starboard line

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28 Main Sail

Before hoisting the sail, place your Hobie Cat

directly into the wind.
Unfold the mainsail on the
trampoline and insert the battens
starting from the top of the sail.

How to fix the race battens

Insert the batten tie in one of the
hole of the batten end cap, feed
it into the opposite grommet of
the batten pocket, then into the
second hole of the batten end
cap, then back in the first grom-
met and secure it with a knot into
the V groove. Batten tension can
be varied to suit personal prefer-
ence or sailing conditions.

Feed the luff into the opening in

the mast track and attach the
halyard shackle to head of the
sail. Continue pulling the halyard
and feeding the sail until it reach-
es the top. When the sail is all the
way up, pull the halyard forward
sufficient for the stop sleeve to
clear the halyard hook.

Once the sleeve is past the hook

position, pull the halyard so that
the sleeve will engage the hook
when you release tension.
Main Sail Tack Line 29

Boom
Take the boom Feed the foot of
the sail into the track opening in
the forward end of the boom. Fix
the boom to the gooseneck. Lead
the outhaul (already tied to the
mainsail clew) around the boom
cap, through the block hanger
and through the outhaul jam
cleat. Tie a figure eight knot in
the end of the line.

Downhaul line
Tie the downhaul line onto the
cleat with a plastic (check that
the cleat is well fixed) lead it into
the gooseneck sheave, down to
the cleat and fix it. This allows to
tension the luff of the sail.

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30 Boom and Cunningham

2. Cunningham (optional)
Fix the upper triple block to
the lowest gooseneck thim-
ble using the supplied 4 mm
shackle.The cunningham line
is threaded in the same way
as the mainheet system (6:1
purchase). No other system
is authorized by the Hobie
Cat class rules.
 Mainsheet System 31

The mainsheet system is already

mounted when delivered with your
boat. We indicate hereunder the
way to thread it, in case that you
need to change the line. Shackle
the boom block to the boom block
hanger. Shackle the ratchet block to
the traveller car (the jam cleat
facing inboard).

Take the mainsheet rope. Tie a

eight figure knot at the end of the
mainsheet and feed it through the
upper strap of the ratchet block and
then, up into the first sheave of the
boom block from front to rear down
into the first sheave of the ratchet
block from front to rear up into the
second sheave of the boom block
from rear to front down into the
second sheave of the ratchet block
from front to rear up into the third
sheave of the boom block from rear
to front down into the third sheave
of the ratchet block from rear to
front

Feed it then into the lower strap of

the cam cleat of the ratchet block.

Run the free end of the mainsheet

through the cam cleat of the aft
crossbar, through the traveller car
from inside to outside, and the dead
eye behind the cam cleat. Tie a
figure eight knot to secure the line.

Sheet in and out to see if all is well

mounted.

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32 Jib

Take the jib sheet. Thread one

end in the external hole of the jib
traveler car and secure it with a
knot. The knot is outside
the frame.

Lead the jib sheet to one of the clew

blocks and back through the second hole
of the Trentec traveller car, then back
to the jib block on the front crossbar,
leading it first through the sheaves and
then under the strap of the cam cleat.
Repeat the operation on the opposite
side in a reverse manner : feed the jib
sheet under the strap of the opposite
jib block on the front crossbar, then
between the sheaves, then through the
2nd hole of the Trentec traveller car (the
one towards the inside) from outside to
inside, and then back to the first hole
of the traveller from inside to outside.
Secure the end of the line with a knot.

1. Shackle the jib tack to the

4th or 5th hole of the forestay
adjuster (depending on the
sailing conditions).
 Jib 33

2. Take the jib block at the bot-

tom of the mast and fix it to
the head of the jib.

3. Secure the plastic hank to

the forestay by twisting it 90°
onto the wire and hoist the
jib. Secure the jib halyard
on the cleat at the bottom
of the mast and stow the
excess line on the trampoline
pocket.

4. Shackle the small jib blocks

to the jib clew plate. Check
that the ropes do not cross
each other. First, fix the
shackle in the middle hole of
the jib clew plate. This can be
changed according to sailing
conditions.

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Enjoy the Ride!
Hobie Cat Company
Holding Company

Oceanside, California, USA

1-800-HOBIE-49

Hobie Cat Australasia

Subsidiary

Huskisson, New South Wales, Australia

1-800-4-HOBIE

Hobie Cat Europe

Subsidiary

Toulon, France
+33 (0) 494 08 78 78
Hobie Kayak Europe
Independent Distributor

Stellendam, The Netherlands

+31 (0) 187 499 440

Hobie Cat Brasil

Independent Distributor

Porto Belo, Santa Catarina, Brazil

+55 (21) 3942 6815

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PN 23450010
REV 190109