Anti-fouling Line for Jib Sheets

Submitted by Arlyn Stewart

On the earlier c250s and the water ballast versions, the halyards are cleated at the base of the mast into some swivel cam cleats. While these work quite well, they are very prone to fouling the jib sheets. 

Years ago, when I bought a Hobie 18, my dealer sold me an extras package which included a lot of little improvements. One of those was what was called an anti fouling line for the jib sheets. The Hobie had a rotating mast setting on a ball. The jib sheet would pinch under this and foul quite easily. The problem is slightly different on the 250 but the result is the same.....fouled jib sheet, one of the nastiest things to happen to a sailor save dismasting. 

The anti fouling line is simple and consist of a short length of shock cord with plastic snap clips on each end. To install, clip to each stanchion eye and lift and let rest on the whisker pole eye or if no wisher pole eye is installed, secure in some way to the leading edge of the mast with an eye strap or some method. The height is not real critical but the bungee should form an A bridle that encourages the jib sheets to slide down outward away from the mast.

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Arlyn Stewart
R&R  #224