Flying a hull

Where do you guys put a safe limit? to avoid a capsize? Is there such thing?
1metre above sea level?....

How can I maintain the hull flying for longer periods...???

To me, it depends on which Hobie (an 18 is tougher than a 16, therefore no more than the daggerboard being out of the water), the experience and equipment of the crew/boat in righting it; and the water's temperature.

I have no problem going vertical when I can with the H-16.

On a Wave? Near 90 degrees!

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

No such thing. This is because of too many variables such as the kind of boat, the crew weight, the wind strength, to tuning of the boat, the confidence of the captain, and skill/coordination of the crew, etc.


Again, too many factors make this a difficult question to answer. The easiest answer is: mimimize the crew weight on the boat, and maximize the captain's experience.

Also add - no fear of a capsize. Why no fear? Because if you are flying a hull near maximum height then the boat is (usually) moving very slowly, so if you do capsize then then speed is of little consequence. But if falling about 7 feet frightens you, then you will not have the confidence required to fly a hull over a long distance or time. The masters of the capsize are able to stay aboard the higher hull while the boat is capsized and then execute a backflip off the hull and into the water.

Back when I sailed a 16 I enjoyed trying to fly so high the leeward hull was on its side and the rudder planning. To me its a matter of how your trap wires are set, if they are set low the hull can get very high before you feel like your going to fall into the sail. If set high your flight will be lower. To keep the hull up is a matter of scalloping the air, as the hull gets too high head up, as it starts coming down bear off. Its easy, cheesy, japanesey!

George Mabie of Fleet 20 could fly one hull and submerge the other while still maintaining some forward motion. It was a real eye opener if you were onboard.

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I fly a hull by setting the jib and forgetting it. except on gusty days. If your flying a hull high on gusty days you will get wet sooner or later. If the wind is somewhat steady it is much easier to go high and far. I get it up past 45 to 70 degrees and just sheet in and out very little, almost constantly, like controlling a wheelie on a motorcycle with little blips of the throttle at the balance point. It is actually easier to control the higher you get, to a point of course. This is because the mast and the high hull are in balance on the low hull. This is not for speed, because the low hull is digging and wind is spilling, but it is fun. The low hull on the 18 actually rides through the water much better than the 16 when flying high. The 16 seems to plow when very high, because of the curve of the hull. I have my 16 almost stopped at times. This is all about showing off and has nothing to do with racing. Guys will tell you that just skimming the surface is the fastest way to sail, which bores me when I'm the only one on the lake. Trapped out and vertical is better therapy for me at least, it's why I sail. The guy that sails the fastest gets the trophy, but the guy that flys the hull gets the girl.

It should go without saying that this is why we sail cats. This validates the old adage, ". . . because the chicks dig it."

Yeah, there is that certain point that you can just kinda hang at that the only way to get it to come down rightside up is to throw an arm or something backward to try and bring her down.

On the 14 I was afraid to go very high, but that was due to my lack of skill at the time. Now that i know i can right my current boat I will go to the point of no return and regularly do not come down right side up.

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

I've had my H16 Hull close to what feels like 80 to 85 degrees then puff (and thats what it feels like). YOu know you're getting wet.