On Sat, 07 May 2005 10:37:32 +0300, Aleksi Bardy wrote:

I just bought a second hand Hobie 18. While the boat is a lot of fun, I have
problems with inserting and removing the daggerboards. It seems to require a
lot of time and effort even for a strong man. They feel too tight. Should I
apply some kind of lubricant? Is there a special technique for this? I fear
using this much power will harm the daggerboard slots some day.

No it shouldn't be this hard. I have no Hobie 18 experience myself
but I have an 8 m long cat with daggerboards that I operate with
ease. Search the net for the numerous and lively Hobie and beach cat
foras I know exist.

Raising the mainsail is also some work, but manageable with the help of
silicon spray.

This can come from any of a number of factors including
luff-curve/mast-curve mismatch, worn and oxidized/dirty mast,
local dimensions at inner batten ends...

My mainsail is usually harder to raise early in the season.
If this is due to grit washing off or me getting fitter is
anyones guess :-)
But I always manage to hoist it single-handed and without
using the winch - hmm maybe not the first few times in a season
when my hands are still used to office work only.

Candles and soap-bars are both popular for lubricating
mainsails.

Hopes this helps,

--
/Martin
http://hem.bredband.net/b262106/