Changing the Angle of Sheet Feed on Hobie WaveBy Peter NewmanOne modification I felt that was urgent after I first began to sail my Wave was to change the angle of exit of the mainsheet from the mainsheet cleat. As supplied, I found it necessary to lean inboard, hold the sheet within a foot or so of the cleat and rap my nuckles on the tramp to be sure that the sheet was uncleated when required to be so. And even then it did not always uncleat. Further, the sheet would often cleat itself while I was holding it and looking elswhere and I would get a surprise when I tried to ease out the mainsheet. To solve the problem I changed the angle of sheet feed to the cleat by purchasing a 15 degree wedge kit and longer SS nuts and bolts, placing it under the cam-matic cleat and changing the angle of exit from the cleat to about 15 degees upwards. The result was that it now takes serious effort to cleat the mainsheet by an upwards movement, but it can be uncleated by a tug from anywhere on the boat. I feel a lot more confident that I won't find the mainsheet cleated when I least want it to be. 15 degree Wedge Kits are available from West Marine, model # 198804, cost $3.10. plus 2" ss screws and bolts. Peter Newman Terry_Newman@bc.sympatico.ca Back to Tech Tips |