[quote=DanBerger]Don't go with the Hobie 16 set up, it doesn't work, period. Many people have tried rigging 14s with jibs in other-than-factory ways and hve not had much success. This is a good example of letting the factory figure it out.
I have converted a LOT of 14s, so I'll try to save you some frustration:
If you can find a trampoline with the Turbo grommets, buy it--it is a lot easier than installing them. The grommets you need are not the standard ones like the lacing grommets that you can get at Home Depot. They are HUGE and are a specialty item. You will have to take your tramp to a professional company that works with fabric like a tent maker or maybe a boat top shop. The grommets run about 20 bucks each and you should sew a reinforcement backing to the area where you will install them.
You will also need special chainplates to connect the jib block support wire under the tramp. The later 14s had the Turbo one from the factory, but most 14s didn't have them. They wrap aound the siderail and curl under the tramp a little bit and have a big hole in the end to connect the jib block support wire. You can replace them with the newer set or just add a second standard one next to the ones that are already there. Caution, though, you are adding holes to an already stressed area on the beam.
You HAVE TO HAVE a dolphin striker! The after market ones that Murrays sells are great. They go on easily and work well.
The best jib blocks are the Harken 2.25" blocks with a becket. The jib block support wire is expensive since it has a turnbuckle, so I went to West Marine and made a bunch. I made the wire in two pieces. Connect one end of each to the chainplate and measure them so that they are about 6 inches short of touching in the middle. Then, tie a small line between them and tighten. That setup runs about $20 and works.
The rest of the stuff is easy. It is a great winter project and you will have a lot more fun on a Turbo.[/quote]
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