Texas Gulf Coast Hobie Island Regatta

Sound like our local Hobie club is planning the first Hobie Island Regatta that I have heard of. A true competitive race. Has this been done before?

No structure has been set yet. There is talk of trophies going to first in class (TI, AI2 & AI1). I think this would be blast.

Anyone else interested in such an event? Wonder why we don't do more Regattas.

They have asked me to post on site here and ask for suggestions such as location and how it should be structured.

Any interest in a regatta?

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

I'd be interested, sounds like it would be fun! I think it should be set up more like an adventure race rather than just around buoys. A few months ago I was watching a bunch of sailing videos and came across some Weta racing videos. Everybody would start on shore and run to their boats when the start of the race was signaled. They would sail to different spots where there would be a sign with a few letters or numbers on it. Some of these signs would be on land and some tied to a buoy. The goal was to get each code as quickly as possible and return to finish as quickly as possible... Something like that would be pretty cool!

Here's a link to the video https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxx65-DVbOY

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-- Chad | 2014 TI

[quote="chadbach"]I'd be interested, sounds like it would be fun! I think it should be set up more like an adventure race rather than just around buoys. /quote]

I like this. Makes all the more interesting, like you say- an adventure.

. I'm wondering. Would it be better to have all boats stripped down to stock condition or allow any modification short of a motor. Either would be fun. One tests our true sailing ability and the other our engineering skills.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

That would be the difficult part... coming up with all of the rules! I like the idea of testing your true sailing ability, but then again if I had a heavily modified boat I'd want to use it. If there were enough participants, you could do a modified class. Any boat with propulsion modifications (bigger or extra sails), would go into this class. Would the use of the mirage drive be allowed?

Another idea... Maybe there could be two types of races and you could make a weekend out of it! One race would be the adventure type where modifications, except for motors, would be allowed. You could even still separate the modified boats into the modified class. The second race could then be a "around the buoys" type race, where only stock sail plans are allowed.

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-- Chad | 2014 TI

I'd be interested, it would be a good time for us newbies to see how the big boys and girls do it.

I'd also be interested in having one on Bull Shoals Lake in North Central Ar. If theres an interest.

Thanks Greg for spreading the news. As one of the Captains of the Texas Gulf Coast Hobie Island Club, I was looking for suggestions. This would include locations, rules and regulations. I would like to make it a full modified island race with out motors. This would give the island community the chance to see all the different types of mods one can do to there islands to gain more speed. This race would have down wind and up wind coarse layout. This would test your sailing skills in all aspects of wind directions.

1+ on Chads idea of two races. Maybe a morning race with no mods and an afternoon race with mods. You get to compete in two races rather than one. Twice the fun. Those who haven't had the time or desire to add all the extra mods would feel less intimidated about participating, especially in the morning race. More participants, more fun.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

Just one thing - the elephant in the room is the Miragedrive...

Plug a pro-level cyclist in the seat and watch him street fleet. What to do? Banning Miragedrives is surely a mortal sin which runs counter the very essence of Islands, but how do you prevent a super pedaller from gaining a huge advantage?

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

I would argue that the mirage drive is part of what makes these boats what they are. There will be weight advantages and those more physical fit than myself and they are going to have that advantage so I am OK with that. I'll just where sunglasseses, put my name tag on my slim son, dress him like me, stick him in the boat. No one will be the wiser that it is not me out there.

I could actually go for no mirage drives though. Interesting idea Tony.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

I think it depends on whether the intent is to be primarily a sailing race (where sail trim and tactics are key) or more of a physical contest. Even in a sailing race, it would be possible to keep the mirage drives, but limit their use. For example, you could establish a rule that allows drives to be used during the pre-start sequence until 1 minute before the start. This would make it easier for boats to maneuver along a crowded starting line and/or jockey for a good starting position. Another rule might allow drives to be used only while tacking.

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Randy
2013 Tandem Island "Frenzy"

Because of how versatile our boats are, is why I think we should have multiple races. One race that is strictly sailing to show off the sailing aspect of our boats and another race that's more about using the boat for what it was designed for, adventure. Also, more races = more time in our boats = more fun!

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-- Chad | 2014 TI

This has been some great feedback from many Islanders here. This race will consist of TI's or AI's with mirage drives. There will be a first place for the first place for the TI and first place for the AI that crosses the finish line. This is a race with all mods included with the exception of motor of any kind. This was designed for the most skilled sailors to the most skilled tinkers who can show off there engineering skills. The coarse will consist of a down wind and a upwind track. This will put all the skills and mods to work for everyone. Not to many keep there Islands stock so that whyit was chosen that way. There will be a first place trophy for every winner crowning them KING OF THE ISLANDS. I'm still working on the registration fees and prizes. So stay tune. I'm working with Austin Canoe and Kayaks and Hobie to see if they are willing to sponsor the race. If anyone can help me move this forward with Hobie and any other sponsors, I would appreciate it.

My email is [email protected]

I'm not expecting to beat a TI or a AI2 with my AI1 even all moded up. If i beat all the older AIs, I will self proclaim honorable mention and go home and make a plaque.

PS: The plaque will probably be made out of PVC.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

Hi Autotech.
Tony and I have been trying to organise an event down under.
We tried a well known vendor (no names but you know them well) to sponsor and was told they were organising something themselves.
That was October last year so we expect something really great after all this time.

If nothing eventuates we are interested in how your event goes.
Keep us posted.

Cheers,
Brian

Gold medal for diplomacy Brian! I would have also been vocal but for my ongoing health obstacles.

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker