Being that I can only afford 1 new sail at a time for my Hobie 16, which should I buy first? Put another way, which is better, new main/old jib or old main/new jib? Neither of my current sails are in bad shape, just a little tired.

Mains tend to last longer than jibs.

The new jib cut allows more mast rake, too.

I'd go with a new jib.

What year did they start re-cutting the 16 jib?

The "European Cut" jib was introduced in 2000.

What's the difference between the european cut and the other (American?) cut?

The "European Cut" is a little longer in the luff and a little shorter in the foot and leech. The area is exactly the same.

It allows you to carry more mast rake and still have good sheet tension on the jib. It makes no difference to most people - just the racing crowd.

I've got both types of jibs - one of these days I'll lay one on top of the other and take some photos.

So the racing crowd uses the european cut, also in the states? would be great if you can put up some pictures.

I placed the 2002 H16 jib on top of the old (2000).
1. The luff was 5 inches longer
2. so, more sail area in head.
3. Straight leech at head, vs scalloped in old.
4. The clew appeared to be 1-2 inches higher
The main difference to me is:
5. Luff curve (JLA) is MINUS 1 to 1.5 inches on the new,
to me this explains why my old headsail would point as high as everyone else.
(night & day, very full luff) Some say old fuller jib also backwinds main.

So is it fair to say that the new jib passes the mast a little easier during a tack? or does the possible extra rake make the fore tiangle smaller?

I don't think there's any difference in the way the 2 different jib cuts clear the mast. That's more a matter of making sure the battens are trimmed down to where they barely protrude from the leech of the sail.

The foretriangle does get smaller as you rake further back. The jib clew moves down and aft. In order to get good sheet tension, you either have to pin the tack higher in the forestay adjuster and/or travel out the jib.

A lesson learned from the Worlds in Mexico was to always have the jib travelled out about 4", even in the lightest air. As the wind picks up, you rake back more and travel out the jib more to keep good sheet tension and the slot open.

Along the same lines...

I've heard a couple of people talk about a website that gives (gave?) away free sails with advertisements on them. I have been unable to locate anything like that so I'm guessing it's gone, but maybe I've been looking in the wrong place(s?) Anyone have further info?

Thanks in advance!

Warm regards,

Jim