Wave surfing

Hey Guys: Tomorrow, for the first time, I'm taking the boat out through the surf. It's forecast to be windy tomorrow (up to 25kts). Any advice on this adventure that isn't covered in the manual? What is the largest wave you would want to ride in? There in an inlet close by, so I have a plan B.

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Mims, FL

If you've never been out in the surf, and it's predicted to blow 25 - you'd be best advised not to try the surf. You'll be picking up the pieces of what used to be your boat.

Coming is is the easy part. Going out is the bear.

What's the predicted wind direction relative to the beach? What's the water temp?

I'd say don't go, it can be hairy especially with that much breeze. Bad things can happen quick!

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Blair T

I love these calm moments before the storm, it reminds me of Beethoven...


'02 Hobie Tiger USA 1152

Don't do it. You'd be surprised how quickly and easily even a small wave can crack up your boat. But if you want to learn then do it on someone else's boat who can teach you how to do it. Look up these guys for lessons.

This is one of the most critical factors for getting out easily (current and wave size being others). If the wind is too onshore, it'll make it very difficult or impossible to hit breaking waves head-on which means you could get turned sideways (not good). If the wind is too offshore, you may not have much wind on the inside. The closer to side-shore breeze, the better.

As far as what other's have said about not going out, it really depends on wave conditions and seastate. Waves over three feet would be considered big for your first time in the surf. If the waves are reasonably sized and you're comfortable sailing in that much wind, you may be OK. If it's blowing 25 with big waves and really nasty out, you're almost certainly better off waiting for a more moderate day.

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Thanks for all the advice. The wind is coming almost directly from offshore, 15 gusting to 25. The water temp is not bad, 75 or so. Guess I'll try it another day.

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Mims, FL

direct off shore wind sucks.

When i picked up my 16 from myrtle beach, thats what it was like and a firend and i decided to go out on a crowded beach.

We walked her about 100yards up, got out (his 1st time on a hobie, my 1st time launching) and we got blown over about three times, and blown down to all the swimers. We righted her, and took her back up, and *luckily* got through the 1st huge wave, i shoved the rudders down, fell off to get some speed, then headed right back up to nail the next wave, which we got through....after the 2nd wave we got out deep enough where the rudders werent scraping, and we were OK....

then about 20 minutes into sailing...the hiking straps on the old tramp ripped off and i almost lost my crew, the starboard side rudder casting broke off (rudder pin) and i found out every single nut was missing from the cornercasting bolts....

we somone made it back to shore with one rudder and we were both tugging at the tiller to hold onto the other rudder/casting.....we hit the beach so hard but it was probbaly the most bad-ass time ive ever had sailing....breaking stuff is so much fun!

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1981 Hobie 16
1982 Hobie 14 turbo (sold)
1996 SeaDoo GTI
1999 Hunter 340

I drove down to the beach today with the boat just to have a look and is was really rough. Launched the boat from a nearby inlet instead and sailed it out of the inlet where there were 8 foot swells! Played in those for awhile and got a taste for how to surf them and sail into them. It was a total blast.

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Mims, FL

Maximus: Have a look at the FX1: Surf Issues thread in the Hobie 17/FX-one forum. Great info from Jeremy about "duck-diving" his FX. My question, which remains unanswered, is whether the duck-diving technique will only work with straight hulls (FX, 18, Tiger, etc.) or also with the banana hulls of the Hobie 14 and 16. Let us know if you get to try it out!

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-Roland
Sailing vintage Hobie Cats in West Africa.

I found the photos I was looking for originally for this thread:


That's me heading out in the Atlantic in 2005 - about 4-6 foot breaking waves. Note the jib is in tight to keep me from going into irons and the main is centered, but with lots of sheet out to relieve some of the pressure on the not-yet-locked-down rudders. Crew is way forward (and holding on tight) to keep the bows down and the boat from flipping over backwards.

Pick your timing - look for a space between the wave sets. I'll wait at the edge of the water and watch the waves for several minutes to get a feel for the wave sets, then when I see an opening develop, launch as the last wave in the set is passing under the boat so the undertow takes you out. Push the boat rapidly out until you're in waist deep water, then hop on the trampoline (that's why I end up on my knees with my butt in the air). Sheet in, bear off to gain speed, head up into the next wave, bear off as the wave passes under you to build speed back up again. Repeat until you're clear of the shore break.


Same year, different coast - me punching out into the Pacific at the 2005 16 North Americans.

You always want to take the waves head on. Getting into irons or sideways to the waves is death. You need to keep the boat moving until you get past the shore break. Once you clear the break, you can stop, catch your breath and lock the rudders down. If you flip, you need to point the mast into the waves and haul the boat back to the beach as fast as you can. You can't right it in the surf.

A direct onshore wind is almost impossible to deal with.

Light air and shore break is almost as bad. Compound that with a Hobie 17 (uni rig that will go into irons if you blink) and thinks get really ugly:

40th Anniversary Regatta, Dana Point, CA.

WOW !!!!


...at Hobie 40th in Dana Point, California !!! Yeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaa!!! Are we having fun yet????

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Happy Sailing,

David

Yeah, notice Quique hit the wave square and I didn't.

If I had done that in the 17, I would've gone into irons. The wind was about 3 kts - directly onshore. The wave were spaced so you could just barely get moving again before you had to deal with the next one. Wayne Mooneyham (former Hobie 17 NA Champion) had to be towed out by the lifeguards because he got sideways to the surf.

No/light onshore wind and surf is the worst.

This thread is just awesome! Especially the pictures. That's why we sail Hobies and not wussy fair-weather, high-performance cats that would literally crack under conditions like these!

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-Roland
Sailing vintage Hobie Cats in West Africa.