Down with Bob, Down with Bob

So I am wrestling with whether or not to leave the Bob off this year. I take it off for trailering. I bought the boat mid season last year and I suppose the Bob gave me a since of security but do I really need it? I sail single handed in high wind, (up to 30mph), but focus on keeping the boat flat. How much difference does the Bob make? In other words, how long do you have before the boat turtles without the Bob? Who sails with out one?

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Frank, sailing '02 Getaway in Wichita KS. Lake Cheney
(Hobie 17 RIP, storm of '05)

If you go turtle on a Getaway you will not be able to right the boat w/o help from a power boat. I do not think you will be able to tell much difference w/o the bob on the mast

_________________
Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

On the upside, not having the Bob on the mast makes it much easier to keep the comptip covered during storage.

The boat turtles pretty quick. The mast head is tapered, so low volume and the large tramp area offers a big "sail" area for the wind to push it over.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Ok I give up, what is the down side to the bob? I can't see it slowing you down at all, maybe creates a little extra healing movement. I used to hate turning my 16 over is was such a bear to put her back on her feet. The slight inconvenience of taking the bob off for trailering is way overcome by have the knowledge the she won't go all the way over.

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

Is the bob made of the same material as the hull? Can it be painted? Maybe a custom paint scheme to match the sail would make it less conspicuous?

I have been thinking about a Goodyear sticker on each side.
I suppose my main motivation is so the rest of the catamarans will quit mocking my boat, I know that after dark the 18s say terrible things to her; you know with that snooty fiberglass accent they have. The increased tramp area is a pretty persuasive argument though and as a fat old man I doubt I will be real quick when I do have to right her... so I will start the year with it on. I wonder if there are some funny emoticon stickers to put on it.

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Frank, sailing '02 Getaway in Wichita KS. Lake Cheney
(Hobie 17 RIP, storm of '05)

I'm sure you could paint it no problem just remember the darker the color the hoter it get inside the bob. I think you should just get those stick on letters and put "don't you wish" on both sides.

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

The sailing club at Put-in-Bay has a competition amoung the Wave sailors for decorating their bobs. Some put racing stripes, others spirals, etc... Makes it easier to spot your boat in a crowd.

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What - Me Worry?


2006 Hobie Wave 7358
"Ish Kabibble"

I'd order some Furuno stickers and tell everyone it's a radar!

_________________
Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

I don't understand all the fuzz about Bob. I suppose yes, I am one of the few cat sailors in my city (state for that matter). If anything, my Bob is a great conversation starter. I have had numerous people approach me and ask what it is. It's amazing how many people believe that it's a radar dome.

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Sail.fast

470, 08 Getaway

http://www.thebeachcats.com/index.php?module=pictures&g2_itemId=10622

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Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

Why take the Bob off for trailering? When I bought my boat, I trailered it 1100 miles from the dealer to home, with the Bob on.

The dealer had prepared it for travel - mast base forward, Bob to the back of the boat. I've trailered it the same way ever since.

Because the mast is so wide near the base, it requires a fairly big rubber stopper on the top of the mast stand.