Since the "Hobienot" will be down for a while due to the jib blowing out at a seam last Saturday, (Hunter wants pictures before considering warranty coverage) we will be starting the V-berth project. Two other areas of interest: 1. Has anyone tried some extra lead along the centerboard trunk to make the boat less tender when minimally crewed? How much, what type (sheet, shot bags, etc.)? 2. Any thoughts on a roller furling boom for the boat? Seems more attractive than the single reefing setup, though it would necessitate moving the mainsheet setup to the aft end of the boom. Bob
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Extra Ballast
I have experienced the same tenderness whilesinglehandnng, sometimes really getting my attn as sails can easily be overpowered with gusty Minnesota winds. Speaking of which, I remember you wrote of concern that during a gust, your 216 seemed unresponse. I had the same situation 2 weeks ago. My analysis - If you lose hull speed during a gust, the boat will side slip with little control until you can acclerate the hull for steering. I read about a Bahamaian hotel with 216d sd fleet, addressing tghe sme situation. I thought they emntioned some type of water ballast in a bladder that can be drained.
I have experienced the same tenderness whilesinglehandnng, sometimes really getting my attn as sails can easily be overpowered with gusty Minnesota winds. Speaking of which, I remember you wrote of concern that during a gust, your 216 seemed unresponse. I had the same situation 2 weeks ago. My analysis - If you lose hull speed during a gust, the boat will side slip with little control until you can acclerate the hull for steering. I read about a Bahamaian hotel with 216d sd fleet, addressing tghe sme situation. I thought they emntioned some type of water ballast in a bladder that can be drained.
Rock, I'm familiar with the water bladder that needs draining; That's why we have a porta-potti on board! 
That does sound interesting. I'll have to check with some place like Camping World to see if the RV industry has a collapsible bladder of the right size and shape. I was thinking primarily of lead as ballast, due to it's higher weight to space occupied ratio. The "rounding up" characteristic occurs when you are sailing in a strong, constant wind, and sheet in past a certain point. Up to that point, heeling increases, as does (perceived) speed. Increased sheeting-in results in a sudden turn to weather which the rudder cannot counter, and a loss of speed. This is NOT the same reaction you get when, while holding sheeting constant, you get nailed with a sudden gust. In that circumstance, the boat just quickly heels up a bit more than we novices are used to. It made me check a couple of times to make sure the centerboard was all the way down. Bob
That does sound interesting. I'll have to check with some place like Camping World to see if the RV industry has a collapsible bladder of the right size and shape. I was thinking primarily of lead as ballast, due to it's higher weight to space occupied ratio. The "rounding up" characteristic occurs when you are sailing in a strong, constant wind, and sheet in past a certain point. Up to that point, heeling increases, as does (perceived) speed. Increased sheeting-in results in a sudden turn to weather which the rudder cannot counter, and a loss of speed. This is NOT the same reaction you get when, while holding sheeting constant, you get nailed with a sudden gust. In that circumstance, the boat just quickly heels up a bit more than we novices are used to. It made me check a couple of times to make sure the centerboard was all the way down. BobPractical Sailor Review of H216, Vol 30
The subject article in the July, 2004 Practical Sailor discussed "simple ballast modifications" that the staff at the Bitter End Yacht Club, British Virgin Islands were making to the H216. Someone at Hunter may know specifically what was done to increase the ballast on the boats since Glen Henderson was involved with some of the other modifications (spreader bracket reinforcement) that the club staff made to the boats.
The subject article in the July, 2004 Practical Sailor discussed "simple ballast modifications" that the staff at the Bitter End Yacht Club, British Virgin Islands were making to the H216. Someone at Hunter may know specifically what was done to increase the ballast on the boats since Glen Henderson was involved with some of the other modifications (spreader bracket reinforcement) that the club staff made to the boats.
Hand Holds on the 216
I understand the Bitter-end also installed multiple hand holds on each side of the seat backs. Does anyone know precisly where they were located or have you seen any pictures that might give us an idea as to the approximent location for them? I've purchased eight of them but don't know exacty where to install them and I'm really hesident when cutting holes in my new boat.
I understand the Bitter-end also installed multiple hand holds on each side of the seat backs. Does anyone know precisly where they were located or have you seen any pictures that might give us an idea as to the approximent location for them? I've purchased eight of them but don't know exacty where to install them and I'm really hesident when cutting holes in my new boat.
hand holds
If no one else gives you any good info, be sure to investigate where the spinnaker lines would go (if you installed the spinnaker) and be sure that you don't put hand-holds to interfere with those lines.
If no one else gives you any good info, be sure to investigate where the spinnaker lines would go (if you installed the spinnaker) and be sure that you don't put hand-holds to interfere with those lines.
216 Modifications Update
Had a long conversation with the folks down at the Bitter End and have determined the location that they have installed their hand holds. Additionally, they have installed a wedge of sorts to lock the mast tighter to the cabin top. The wedge is held in place by the pin used when taking down the mast. They said that in the windy conditions they have there, it is imparative to have not only that extra support but also to have the beefed up spreader bracket installed as well. They sail their boats without any extras on board such as coolers and other gear that most of us carry so to compensate, they have added a couple hundred pounds in sand bags next to the centerboard trunk to provide a little more stability when sailing with their typical crew of three.
Had a long conversation with the folks down at the Bitter End and have determined the location that they have installed their hand holds. Additionally, they have installed a wedge of sorts to lock the mast tighter to the cabin top. The wedge is held in place by the pin used when taking down the mast. They said that in the windy conditions they have there, it is imparative to have not only that extra support but also to have the beefed up spreader bracket installed as well. They sail their boats without any extras on board such as coolers and other gear that most of us carry so to compensate, they have added a couple hundred pounds in sand bags next to the centerboard trunk to provide a little more stability when sailing with their typical crew of three.
Add'l Hand Hold Information
Good information about the Bitter End boats! Where did you purchased the hand holds and where they are to be installed on the boat?
Good information about the Bitter End boats! Where did you purchased the hand holds and where they are to be installed on the boat?
Hand Holds on the 216
The hand holds are Harken part # H062 and are available from most dealers that handle Harken. I bought mine from APS (http://www.apsltd.com/) they are good folks to do business with and they help with our local regatta each spring. They were $7.70 each and you will need the screws and 5200 to install them with. I will be installing mine within the next week or so and will post a picture with some dimentions then.
The hand holds are Harken part # H062 and are available from most dealers that handle Harken. I bought mine from APS (http://www.apsltd.com/) they are good folks to do business with and they help with our local regatta each spring. They were $7.70 each and you will need the screws and 5200 to install them with. I will be installing mine within the next week or so and will post a picture with some dimentions then.
Exceprts I have not Seen on 216 Performance
Pro Russell Coutts had this comment about the new boats: "Really fun little boats. A nice upgrade to what you all had. Easy to sail, even a little hung over! Spun out once (operator error) and the boat came up without any water in the cockpit. Look forward to racing them next at next year's Pro Am." Here are some excerpts from John and Gordo's test sail: "Acceleration from a standing start was exceptional, and we guessed that under the optional asymmetrical spinnaker, she would plane in conditions north of 18 knots. Surprisingly, at speed, our early production model did not exhibit any “blade hum” or hull “creak” common to new boats. We attempted to put the rail down in the bigger puffs and were pleased to discover that the 216 merely feathered herself, like a good performance design should. And no matter how hard we tried, we could not find a way to ship water. Given the prevailing conditions in the BVI, our thoughts turned more to how we might de-power. The standard sails do carry a reef point, we noticed. "When our test sail was complete, and we were at the dock, Gordo’s attention turned to the maintenance aspects of the boat: a self-draining cockpit, no wood, a simple rig, standard high-quality Harken fittings, and “ease of service” rudder and keel mechanisms. These are all aspects that make the boat appealing for life in the Caribbean. But they also have universal appeal. "And what did we change? First of all, we believe that you can’t have enough hand holds and foot braces, so we’ve asked them to add a couple of each. We’ve also asked them to go up a spec on the size of the booms and the boom fittings. Other than that, we asked them to modify with additional thru-bolting in place of riveting. Our boats get used a lifetime in the course of a season, and our environment is rough on equipment (everything corrodes, etc.). The only other addition is a second set of racing sails, for use during special racing events. The standard sets will be much like those aboard the Rhodes 19s (leech-cut, battenless mainsails for easy furling).
Pro Russell Coutts had this comment about the new boats: "Really fun little boats. A nice upgrade to what you all had. Easy to sail, even a little hung over! Spun out once (operator error) and the boat came up without any water in the cockpit. Look forward to racing them next at next year's Pro Am." Here are some excerpts from John and Gordo's test sail: "Acceleration from a standing start was exceptional, and we guessed that under the optional asymmetrical spinnaker, she would plane in conditions north of 18 knots. Surprisingly, at speed, our early production model did not exhibit any “blade hum” or hull “creak” common to new boats. We attempted to put the rail down in the bigger puffs and were pleased to discover that the 216 merely feathered herself, like a good performance design should. And no matter how hard we tried, we could not find a way to ship water. Given the prevailing conditions in the BVI, our thoughts turned more to how we might de-power. The standard sails do carry a reef point, we noticed. "When our test sail was complete, and we were at the dock, Gordo’s attention turned to the maintenance aspects of the boat: a self-draining cockpit, no wood, a simple rig, standard high-quality Harken fittings, and “ease of service” rudder and keel mechanisms. These are all aspects that make the boat appealing for life in the Caribbean. But they also have universal appeal. "And what did we change? First of all, we believe that you can’t have enough hand holds and foot braces, so we’ve asked them to add a couple of each. We’ve also asked them to go up a spec on the size of the booms and the boom fittings. Other than that, we asked them to modify with additional thru-bolting in place of riveting. Our boats get used a lifetime in the course of a season, and our environment is rough on equipment (everything corrodes, etc.). The only other addition is a second set of racing sails, for use during special racing events. The standard sets will be much like those aboard the Rhodes 19s (leech-cut, battenless mainsails for easy furling).
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