I don't get it America!

Also factor in beach accessibility, a lot of lakes do not have a good spot to launch a beach cat, so you have to contend with concrete ramps and motorboat traffic.

_________________
Bodhisatfa

two words

YACHT CLUB

find a nice one a take it over

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

The perception that 40 minutes is too far is indicative of the "instant gratification" state of today's society. Why take the time to set up a sailboat when you can just insert a key? Why write a letter when you can e-mail?

I contend with these things, plus a long drive each and every time I go sailing. Yet somehow, I still find that its worth it for those few moments of hull flying.

Exactly. I'm not saying its too far for me - don't misunderstand me. But for the majority of the population, 40 minutes for a place to sail gets the "why bother" attitude.

If more city rec departments and lake officials would allow beach sections to have cats on them set up and ready to go, even for a small fee, I think people would be much more inclined to get into the sport, solely because of an increased convience.

_________________
Ben Wells - Hobie 16

Amen!

If you have the people (with the time) that want to pursue that avenue, more power to you. I think (well, know...from personal experience) that most of these "departments" and "officials" despise dealing with special interest groups.

Hence my statement "find a Yacht Club and take it over". Approach an established venue, where you have something in common, and you'll find open arms welcoming you. I wish we had docks for big one-design boats (i.e. J24) at our facility. Then we could sit back and watch the money roll in.

You're right Ben, the easiest way to eliminate the "it takes me 40 minutes just to drive there" syndrome is the availability of mast up storage. And it's cheaper than a bowling league.

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

Well forty mins turns out to be alot more than juust 40 minutes. If your going to drive almost an hour away than you need to make a day out of it. First you gotta load all the gear into the car. Do the double and triple checks you didnt forget anything. Possibly make food and drinks in a cooler, print out directions, drive there, rig the boat, all before you can get in the water. Then you have to 100% derig the boat and drive all the way back home (after a long day of sailing derigging loading the car and driving back is the part i absolutely LOATHE!)

by the end of the day those two 40 minute drives turn into about an extra hour on each end just for packing and rigging/derigging. In total almost 4hrs spent just getting ready

its only not a hassle if sailing conditions are superb. and thats why i only like to go sailing in atleast 15knt winds. Anything light just isnt worth it to me

_________________
1971 H16 (sail #1768)

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

I agree about the hassle of derigging at the end of the day of sailing. I am usually tired and just wanting to drive home. Even with a little Starfish, my dad made us tie up the lines around the mast and sail which was time consuming. Well Hobie has the cure the Bravo. Rigged in 5 minutes. I couldn't rig a windsurfer that fast. Hobie should promote the Bravo much more than they do to get newcomers into sailing. I never see a picture of it on the main web page. It should be pitched to lake marinas who rent jetskis. The Bravo don't take up anymore room than the jetskis. The Bravo could be rented out at a lower price. Most marinas have carpeted ramps for the jetskis that the Bravo could use too.
Back to derigging. Not much to do if the sail is already roll up on the mast. Unscrew the mast bar let the mast down, put the mast bag on, tie it down and the boat and its time to go. Simple is as simple does!

_________________
Bodhisatfa

Working with the local parks departments that have water access is a good idea. It does take a lot of time and effort, but can be worth trying. Our operation in Seattle, with Magnuson Park, an Naval Base deeded to the City is a good example. It has taken about 10 years of effort by a lot of volunteers, but it can be done.
Caleb Tarleton
http://www.sailsandpoint.org

There are a few reasons why sailing isn't as popular anymore.

Americans have zero attention spans, do next to nothing physically, and have become for the most part lazy. These are generalizations so don't bother with the "not me!" stuff. I'm not talking about you.

For whatever reason people think its a black art. I don't know how many people have asked me if its hard to learn. I say no, its not. Being really good is a level that is difficult to achieve, but just going out and screwing around is pretty easy, and if you've got nothing to gauge it by anyway what does it matter?

As far as racing goes competitiveness for the most part is dead. Its somehow wrong to prove that you're better than someone else at anything. Thank you PC police. We're all equal you know, just ask Barry Bonds about his insights into playing the cello, or Yo Yo Ma about tactics for hitting a curve ball.

I'll agree with this one, as I have heard this many times from friends I have wanted to teach. I did, however, teach MYSELF how to sail a hobie 16, single handed, after only having been out in that hobie once 4 years ago and my grandpas sunfish a few years before that. My uncle had the hobie sitting and I got the itch, so I pulled it out, ordered some parts and took it out MYSELF after having my dad show me how to rig it up. (he used to sail before his back went out)

Since then in the 1.5 years I've been going at this I've probably flipped it a dozen times, been on the wire by myself, been stupid and taken her out in 30+ mph winds (didnt know at first, my end of the lake was calm ) and all sorts of fun stuff but I now feel pretty confident about it.

I guess its just the commitment and thrill that a person is looking for, having a small introduction early in was my "hook" and finally got "reeled" in once my uncle gave me free reign of the H16, and the handing it over to me!



So my motto is take a buddy sailing, or fly a hull and make him WANT to sail, because of this I have 2 friends who have purchased sunfish's and one who wants a H14

_________________
86' Hobie 16