Hobie Culture...

I'm a college student at Cedarville University and I'm writing a paper on the culture of Hobie Cat racing. My dad and brother raced a 16 for many years and I grew up around the races. I know a lot about what it is like to race, but since I live here in Ohio in the middle of a cornfield, there is nowhere that I can really go to interview or talk to people about racing. If you'd be willing to help me, I'd love to hear your comments about the different types of people that sail, if there is any specific culture found at the races, and anything else you have to add. Thanks for the help!

Inter-division races usually have a real family-type atmosphere. Everyone knows anyone else. I can't remember the last time when someone protested someone else. They guys that go to Worlds and NA's share what they picked up from racing with the best. Mostly a pretty good atmosphere. In the last 5 years I'd say that there has been a lot less boozing too. I think this is due to the age of the locals. There aren't young sailors in our area. Mose guys are well about 33yrs old.

Divisional and higher races are a little different. Obviously there are more racers, a little more tension and many more people from a long disance away. Generally at the end of the day everyone gets along. You see younger guys there.

Really racing just isn't about Hobie's. There are more different brands of catamarans now than there has ever been. Most of the higher tech boats, other than the Tiger, are built by other companies. There is a pretty broad racing racing structure today. The AlterCup is a prime example of this.

Not everything is roses though. The "Hobie Lifestyle" has faded. There is a lack of young sailors. Boat technology is racing ahead of the price-points of the cat sailor majority. Marketing could be a lot better across the board outside of Europe. Race formats haven't been changed in decades and need to become more friendly to the recreational sailor. The division between Formula / Class / Open racers needs to be bridged.

I think that the culture is coming back to the younger generation. Im 21, and have been sailing my cat now for around 3 years, and I have a group of friends, all under 25 who own and sail their cats together, we have our own little regatta. I think what happened is that the hobie culture did fade away in the early mid 90's, I didnt even know what one was untill just 4 or 5 years ago, but once on a Hobie, there is no going back, now we are forming our own regatta (private-fun) and race eachother, and others on the lake, and its growing. I think there is nothing better than setting up a Hobie and down from the beach comes an old man who said he used to sail one 30 years ago. Its great, there is no age limitation, its more of a localized thing, if there is no water, then most people will pick up something else, but with in the region there are people who are absolutly hooked on Hobies.

Those are great replies, thanks so much for your help. Anyone else that has ANYTHING to say would be so much appreciated. Post quickly, I am in a time crunch! Thanks!

I have worked on some of the organizing committees for some of the other class of racing sailboats (scows: E, MC and Xboat) and there is a difference between the beachcat guys and the others. Its alot more 'frat guy' with catamarans, in that the more simple the event, the better they like it. Kegs and Captain Morgan and BBQ vs. sit down dinners with wine. The boats are fundamentally different, so the wind is NEVER a factor with beachcating (as long as its blowing SOMETHING), the others are very particular. Like the beformentioned post about the lack of protests, in 5 years of racing pretty much every other weekend, I have only seen 1 protest, and it was a port tack resulting in a sunk boat.
So, in a nutshell, and I am speaking more for the 14,16,17 and 18 community, because I think the Tigers and 20 are a bit different than this as a general rule, I think the 'hobie way of life' is the laid back, adreniline junkie, no shaving, flip flop wearing, can of Old Mill drinking, sleep in a tent after sitting around a fire all night taking s###, being pissed you lost, but not too pissed, kind of group. No offense to the tiggers and 20s, I just think the amount of money needed to have these boats is a bit different, therefore maybe attracting a bit more of an intense serious racing type person. Plus, you can't blast up and beach your boat, have it tip over on the beach and just laugh about it. If my new 20 tipped over on the beach, I'd CRY!!!! Care less if my 14 does. As long as nobody got hurt.
I hope that helps, its just my perception of what you're asking, and I am sure EVERYONE has a different interpretation.

I have to agree with FlockToTheWall. My dad bought a 16' Flamer model when I was 11 or 12 years old. We sailed it on one of the lakes near my house. The first time out was a super windy day, and we pitchpoled it about an hour an a half after hitting the water for the first time. It was spectacular, many boats came by to ask if we were alright, the sheriff even came by to check on us. My dad was pretty embarrassed, I had a pretty good gash on my knee, but thought it was pretty cool. After that, the majority of my time at the main sheet and tiller were spent on College Pond in the Miles Standish State Forest outside of Plymouth Ma. Many good memories there.

There is nothing like screaming across the water, spray in your face, rudders vibrating so much the are humming loudly. Once you've sailed a Hobie, everything else is like a sunfish, slow, slow, slow....

Now, 28 years later, I have my own 16, and I wouldn't give it up for anything, except maybe a new one....

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Raizin' Hull
#638
CCMQ6749M82H

Hey Hey Hey It's Ok there youngster That could be me!

I'll tell you what there LittleSuds, the phenomena and invention of the Hobie 16 opened up a whole new realm of excitement and comraderie that nobody ever thought possible. Whole articles were written up in magazines like Time and Life and Playboy (not that I ever saw THAT one ) On Seneca Lake we used to have one of the most active fleets around with good sponsorships and a really active Hobie Dealer and sailor (Bill H) I am sure that there are regional variations in Hobie culture just as there are in everyday life. As one OLD MAN, I sure miss the good ole days.

Good luck on your paper- once you are hooked, you're not in Kansas anymore Toto...

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The fact that this windy world is largely covered in water obviously means that man was meant to sail.

Hey Littlesuds,

I agree with all of those that have posted before. But on a more human level, and you may relate to this. It gave my Dad and I something to talk about other than the grass not being cut and the SAT's when I was a teen.
You see, beleive it or not, I was a "know it all teen" with not a hell of a lot of regard for what the "old Man" thought.....except on the water. A hobie 16, regattas, competitors, and friends did a lot to bridge that Dad/teenager thing that gets in the way a lot of the time.
I have teens of my own and two 16's. I find it gratifing that they enjoyed being dragged to regattas as kids, and even with all the High School stuff that can get in the way they enjoy racing with/against Mom and Dad.

Good luck

John

Yea, he has a good point. Both my teens are actually friendly and talkative when it comes to thier sailing. Except when I am mad because the pirated parts off my boat to put on theirs. THEN they clam up again.

I will be intoducing "The Hobie Way of Life" to my young son this weekend. (Minus the beer, of course)...