Not that kind of cat, you fool!
And not that kind of cat either!!!
This kind of cat
This kind of cat
Sailing By Telltales
Have you ever thought much about what those little ribbons on your sail can
do for you? Check out what they do, how to read them, and how to get the
best from your sail.
Sailing The Drifter
We all know what it is like when the wind drops. Some people are luckier than
others but where I sail the wind is notoriously light. Sailing the drifter
needs some special thought if you are to get to the finish line ahead of
the others. Judging by my performance in recent races I think it's about
time I read the article again.
A Catamaran Capsize Guide
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know, you're an expert at capsizing. So was I when I
sailed monomarans. Getting that Hobie to capsize is a little harder but you
can do it if you try.
Tech Tips and Boat Tuning Stuff
What's All This About Weather
Helm? Part 1.
'Weather helm' is a term that gets passed around lightly, as if everybody
knows what it means, except you. Now you can find out more about it than your
friends will ever know. You can be the expert. But be prepared to do the
thinking work, this is a little more complicated than you might imagine.
What's All This About Weather
Helm? Part 2.
This is the "How-To" guide which follows on from the theory given in part
1.
A Front Mounted Touring Trampoline
Sometimes you need more storage space on your Hobie. Perhaps you are sailing
across the lake with the dog, or a cooler full of picnic stuff. Perhaps you
want a place to throw wet things while you drive home so you keep your car
a little cleaner and dryer. This page will give you some suggestions on how
to make an extra trampoline for touring.
Batten Tapering
Those stock Hobie battens are heavy and rigid. You can adjust your sail trim
for a little extra power by sanding them down to a more suitable profile.
Easy Grommet Repair
Fix that torn tramp lace grommet in a hurry without even taking the tramp
off the boat.
Quick Tiller Arm/Rudder Removal
Do you trailer with your rudders off? Who wants to know? If you must do it,
here is how to make it easy.
Funny Stuff
If Your Hobie Lived in Hollywood
Ever wondered about all those references to Hobie sailing in the movies. Did
they really say that, or was it just your imagination? Here are some Hobie
quotes from classic movies.
A Hobie Hymn
A hymn for those who capsize too often. A version of the old favourite, "Abide
With Me", specially written for the Hobie sailor who can't keep out of the
water. Midi music included.
If Dr Seuss Sailed a Hobie
We all grew up reading "The Cat in the Hat" didn't we? Well, for the homesick,
here's how to have a Hobie Day.
Fallacies and Phallusies
Is your Hobie Cat just another phallic symbol? Have you finally made sense
of puberty? Are you over 18?
If you answer "yes" to any of these questions just hit the link.
Why Did I Do That?
The world's great thinkers tell you why your Hobie Cat likes to pitchpole.
Was Einstein a Hobie sailor? Was Plato? What does Dr.Kevorkian know about
pitchpoling? Kevorkian, who invited him? Did I mention Timothy Leary?
Sailing Stories
These sories are not my own. They come from other places and other sailors.
I have them here because they do not seem to be available anywhere else.
Some of them are articles I prepare in association with those other sailors.
Across the Atlantic Ocean
on an open Hobie 18 Catamaran
An Atlantic crossing is always a challenge in a sailboat, but Tony Laurent
and Daniel Pradel were going to try the journey on a Hobie 18 Magnum. They
left Senegal, West AFrica, on November 12, 1986. 18 days later a sailor on
his boat in Guadeloupe spotted two exhausted sailors gliding into port.
1,000 km up the coast
of North Queensland on a 14 foot catamaran
Jesse & Beau Martin (then 14 & 12 years old) and their Dad sail over
1,000 kilometres to the tip of Cape York on an open 14 foot catamaran. A
two month tropical paradise holiday adventure.
Another father and son trip from Cairns to Thursday Island
In this story Scott Alred and his 14 year old son, Mark, sail their Hobie 18 on a fantastic father/son journey. This adventure was inspired by the Jesse Martin trip.