Hobie sail furler install

I recently got the small sail and also installed the Hobie sail furler on my Adventure (no Island). I did this without putting any holes in the kayak---not that I'm opposed to drilling holes in my kayak, but it wasn't necessary.

At the back end, I replaced the side bungie with a 2-piece setup. So, I can still use it as intended when not sailing (1st picture). And it takes about 2 seconds to attach the furler (2nd, 3rd, and 4th pictures).

Up near the sail, I attached a small piece of starboard (plastic), which is held in place by bolts to the molded in nuts (pictures 5 and 6).

The last 2 pictures show the overall setup.

Btw, there is definitely a technique to furling (and unfurling) the sail. The length of rope is not enough to completely furl (or unfurl) the sail---the knobs/knots will hit the guides. But, if you get the tension just right, when you "push" the rope forward it'll loosen enough so that the sail doesn't furl (or unfurl) and you can move the rope into position where it'll then continue to furl (or unfurl) when you pull the rope. That probably sounds a lot more complicated than it is. If you want to see how it works in practice, let me know and I can make a short video the next time I have it out.

Couldn't get it to accept all of the pictures in one post, so here's the rest of 'em...

And, yes, that's a PVC pipe, not the sail. I don't have room to put the sail in where I store my kayak...

Hey NCKA Bruddahs,

I just posted on the Kayak Sailing link and wanted to know if any of you have a video or pictures for installing the new Hobie Furling Kit. I think I can see how it works and just wanted to make sure I am doing it right before I drill some holes to mount the hardware on my Hobie.
The new kit looks much cleaner and simpler.
Would greatly appreciate any video or help with setting this sailing furling kit on my Hobie.
I am planning on getting the AMA Sidekick for more stability in the open ocean.
Aloha,

Da Bruddah (Michael Y.) Oakland, CA

Here's a pic of my Hobie Oasis Tandem out in the ocean at HMB

Very cool design!  Simple, easy, and clean looking install!  With the furling system, are you able to take down/put up the sail on the water?  Wondering if it's feasible to launch without it, and just use it to return in to port.

With the furling system, are you able to take down/put up the sail on the water?  Wondering if it's feasible to launch without it, and just use it to return in to port.

Yes, with the exception of the mainsheet that I run thru a block at the rear hatch. So, as long as I remember to thread the rope thru the pulley before launching, it's easy to set it up on the water. Taking it down on the water is no problem either.

I've had it out a few times, although not much consistent wind yet. But even with a very light breeze it makes trolling a lot less work...

Hi Bruddahs,

I spotted the location for the Fairlead hardware for the ropes to channel through and the location is impossible to reach in my Hobie for installing the 3/16 screw, nut and washer.

Do any of you out there have any suggestions about attaching the Fairlead hardware. Seems like it will take most of the pressure of pulling the ropes to unfurl the sail as it is where the rope makes a 90 degree turn to the mast.

It seems that rivets may not be strong enough?

Any advice?

Da Bruddah

It seems that rivets may not be strong enough?

I've never used rivets on my kayak, but I suspect they'd be fine in this application. It seems to me that there really isn't a whole lot of pressure put on that fairlead.