OK, smart guys....here's a good question....specific gravity

I am a new Hobie Wave owner in 2008 and have been sailing ONLY in salt water....actually heavy mineralized water. Specific gravity of sea water is about 1.02, while this mineral water is 1.06. This of course is going to make the Wave sit "higher" in the water, but how badly is this going to affect the performance of the boat? Never had it anywhere else and I am planning to try out other waters this spring.....once we get rid of the snow here on the Prairies.

Went to Cuba this past winter and went on a 15' older cat. Out in wind & waves I would not even think about taking mine out in.....but things went well, the guy knew what he was doing......OR..... could do the same if I didn't "float" so high in the 1.06 water? Any thoughts out there?

Interesting question. How much higher do you suppose the Wave floats due to the water you sail in? I would guess that it would not be a very big difference, but assuming that it is significant here are a couple thoughts.

First there would be less surface area in contact with the water thus reducing drag by reducing the volume of water to be displaced, yet maintaining virtually the same water line length. I am sure there are some neat formulas out there to play with this one.

Second, the reduced depth of the boats skeg and rudders may impact up wind sailing performance.

I think this would be a benefit to sailing performance of your boat. The net effect would seem to be similer to reducing crew weight, which on the Wave is critical. I can tell easily the difference between sailing solo with my 180 lbs and when I bring my 80 lb daughter or son with me.

As far as your Wave handling waves and wind it can. I have sailed my "little" Wave in some gnarly conditions on Lake Michigan and Lake Erie. The boat always handled well and predictable. I have been out in 5 footers many times with wind in the teens or higher and had a blast. The boat rockets under those conditions. One problem I had was passing waves as I surfed down on a scream reach and driving a or both bows into the wave slowing me down so fast I almost pitch poled several times.

I am interested what others have to say.

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There's no motor?

Ok, I don't fall into the catagory of 'smart guy', but I will reply anyway.
It is an interesting question. True, in theory a boat should float higher in salt water, thus should actually perform better, and faster. But there are other factors that are probably more important. Mostly, wave and swell action out in the larger bodies (ie, open ocean, very large lakes) vs. the protected inland lakes and bays. I think this is going to have more impact that the seemingly neglible difference in bouyancy would make.

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Jim

2007 Hobie Wave

Interesting question.

From your numbers it appears that your 'mineral water' is about 4% more dense than 'sea water'.

Hobie advertises the Wave at 245 lbs. If you were able to somehow hold your Wave submerged in 'mineral water' to the same waterline normally found in 'sea water' the math says that your boat would now be displacing an additional 9.8 lbs (4% of 245) of buoyancy.

To see the effect that 9.8 lbs. of buoyancy has, try placing a 10 lb. weight in the middle of your tramp and note the difference in the waterline. Like ILhobie suggests, I suspect it would not amount to very much.

Congrats on becoming a new Wave owner. In what part of Canada do you do most of your salt water Wave sailing?

Competent.

That's the best word to describe the WAVE out on the open ocean. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was out of Dana Point, winds were over 20 mph, waves were 7 to 8.

EEEEIIIYYYYAAA What a blast. A word of caution, though: I doubt if I would have handled it well when I first started sailing my WAVE. But I've had her for about a year and 1/2, sailed her over 50 times in a multitude of conditions, and I am quite at home on her these days.

It gets a little tricky when a hull is flying and waves are big...I had to buy gloves to hold the mainsheet uncleated to keep the sail exactly so during gusts ('cuz I love keeping a hull in the air).

I also found that when one comes shooting off the top of a big wave, the hulls come out of the water and this is where the wind really wants to blow one over as anchoring resistance is now gone. Again with the quick mainsheet adjustment.

Pitch poling can be an issue, too, especially on big waves, but a quick release of the mainsheet always pulls me free.

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"HOBIE....
Say it LOUD and there's music playing...
Say it SOFT and it's almost like praying.....
I just sailed my WAVE out the Marina !"
West Coast Story

Hey zzcoreyzz i know you love your wave but forget that thing....

When are you gonna come out with me on my 16. Really fly a hull and trapeze of the side
send me an email. [email protected]
I will be back in town and ready to sail after the 20th of march.

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1971 H16 (sail #1768)

To all of you on the Hobie Forum... I love you guys!!!
thanks for all the help!