[quote=azcat]I used to have a 5.7 and now have a 5.0. I'm still figuring out the 5.0. I cant say that I completely figured out the 5.7, especially with Dacron sails. I replaced the Dacron sails with square top Mylar as soon as I could on the 5.7.
However, on the 5.0, I am inclined, at least for now, to stick to the Dacron and learn how to sail them.
The 5.0 was built as more of a recreational/beginner boat than say, the 5.2/5.5/etc. Set up more for ease of sailing. Its pretty stripped down.
Every one of the extra lines and gismos that you see on an F-18 gives the boat the potential to go faster or produce better VMG. The 5.0 doesn't have any of them. I don't know what the H-16 have on them. Start with rotation and barberhaulers, or jib block adjustable tracks.
What I do know, is that all of these boats are very sensitive to weight and weight placement. Especially the newer hull designs, ie. the 5.0(in relation to the the H16).
So, the more important thing in relation to weight is, what is your crew weight in relation to theirs. And where is it placed. The older nacras like to have their bows deep in the water, transoms out.
Down-haul is pretty much set and forget. But if you are getting a whooping, reach up and release some down-haul when going down wind.
Depending on what you want to accomplish with the boat, you can add an endless amount of bling that will give you a bit more speed potential. But you sacrifice simplicity and ease of setup.
I just threw a boom on my 5.0 to gain better control of the shape of the main, and to give me an easier way to add mast rotation. I dont have all of the bugs worked out yet, but I do know that in very low winds, mast over rotation is HUGE. Upwind and down wind!
Also, you may need to give your battens a bit of a taper to give better sail shape.
As an example of the effect of mast rotation, A friend and I were sailing in under 5mph of wind. Me on my inter 20, him, on his Bimar 18HT. We were single handing and just trying to get every bit of speed out of our boats with weight distribution, sail shape, etc. we were dead even. Then I over rotated the mast. He didnt have rotation on his 18HT. I quickly doubled his speed and , as not to be a D!@k, passed him to his lee. Then tacked, over him, sailed back down his windward, and jibed again and sailed back up and passed him on his lee again. Sailed circles around him. The only change I made was the mast over rotation. Huge in light winds and down wind. Sorry Jim. I hope the rotation that you are currently adding works.
Hope this helps. If you figure it out, let me know.
Like nacraman 57 says, dont stay with the Hobies, race your own race, not theirs.[/quote]
