Watts up???

John,

It is no fun if you aren't pushing the boat but you won't be having as much trouble as you describe after get used to it. I had my grandson out and checked my GPS while we were moving fast. I was at 18 mph and later, we were going faster but I couldn't take time to look at the GPS. Once you get more comfortable with the boat your wife will enjoy it. Just don't scare her too much now. I seldom go over any more though I do sail solo and get out on the wire, occasionally flying a hull that way. One problem you probably have is the shifting winds on the small lake. That can catch you leaning out the wrong way and turn you over.

_________________
Howard

Yes I guess you are right. The lake is so small you would laugh... It is like a finger lake maybe 3 to 4 miles long. If I can catch the wind blowing where I could sail it lengthwise it would be awesome but I haven't yet. I still am having a blast so don't think I am complaining. It is quite a blast being ready for the wind shifts as I near the shore on either side of the channel. The boaters here are like anywhere else or maybe worse as there are less than 10 sailboats out here to my knowledge. The channel is only 200 or 300 yards wide at most on the majority of the lake. It scares my wife since it seems like the closer we get to shore the better the wind blows and it scares her since we have nearly met it a time or two.
Boy this website is the best thing that has happened to my Hobie skills or lack of them as my rudder cams were froze when I got the boat from my Uncle and it hadn't been used in a few years. It is a 1977 model in great shape though but I didn't realize the rudders needed to be locked down and had no idea how to fix. Heck, I was pretty proud that we even got the mast up and figured out how to rig the boat! There was a hurricane off shore with the wind really howling here in NC. So of course I talked her into going out with me. I sailed for 3 hours without the rudders locked in and thought WOW, my forearms would look like Popeyes soon if I had to hold on to the tiller that hard everytime I sailed! I had no idea of the force it would alleviate to lock them in and did not know of this site then so I just went for it and thought GEE I MUST BE WEAK AS THIS IS KILLING MY ARMS!!! HAHAHAHA One time approaching the bank we failed to get a tack so I gybed and the boat took off like a bullet and we were still heading toward shore!! haha, I was pulling as hard as I could to turn it and we barely made it.hahahahahah.. I can laugh now but nobody was laughing then... especially her! As soon as we made the turn she said "I WANT OFF THIS BOAT RIGHT NOW!" at which time I told her the only option was to swim about a half mile to the dock. She declined....I guess I had better stop laughing.... she may read this post some day.... I love you honey!!
Cheers!
John

_________________
MAN... DO I LOVE THIS HOBIE CAT!!!