Will Hobie Cat USA sponsor adventure????

Hi, I was just wondering would it be possible or has it happened before.

For example: Let say a hobie owner wants to sail their hobie from the US mainland across the Caribbean Sea to South America (Venezuela etc) or farther just to realize a life long dream of sailing on their hobie for months at sea.

Will Hobie Cat Company be interested in sponsoring a well planned sailing crossing adventure?

By sponsoring I mean...shipping the boat back, plane tickets for the crew back home, sails if needed, and the limited survival gear that will be carried on board.

Of course the people attempting this will sign a waiver/release and have enough valid credentialing to complete the voyage safely.

So???

thanks!

The Hobie Cat Company could not get involved in an adventure of that kind do to the off shore nature and risks to the sailors involved. We do not recommend the use of our products in that manor.

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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 that answers my question....
Some of us crazy dudes understand what u said "We do not recommend the use of our products in that manor."
But sure know its possible...the crew may fail in mental endurance but not the machine... At least the H16 wont, its heavy construction with no dagger boards makes it ideal to run over reefs and beach at any cay when tired or in search of solid ground.

If and when I attempt something like this (off shore) I will make sure people know Hobie Cat Co. had nothing to do with this...regardless of being successful or unsuccessful in my adventure.

Not that I plan to do this anytime soon. This has me thinking...Fla to PR: (Google Earth)
Month and a half voyage?
Ft Lauderdale (Florida)
North Bimini
Andros Island
Nassau
Down Exuma Sound : Highborne Cay, Shroud Cay, Black Point, Great Exuma Island, Little Exuma Island
Crooked Island
Acklins Island
Palms Cays
Mayaguana Island
North Caicos
East Caicos
Salt Cay
Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic)
Sail east thru the Dominican Republic's north shore to Juanillo
Then to Mona Island
Mayaguez (Puerto Rico)

How long would this take????

Back around 1988, two guys sailed a Hobie 18 across the Atlantic. From what I recall of their write-up, it was generally a miserable experience. In fact, I can't remember them saying anything positive about the trip. I think it took them 18 days. The sailors and the boat did survive though.
Also around that time, some guys crossed the Arctic (I think). I don't really remember the story though.

sm

Wao!!
It would be great to find out about these Hobie sailing voyages...

Does anyone have any info on what "SRM" said or any other hobie adventure?

Come on Matt, there has to be some amazing story somewhere in ure office!

Here it is!!!!!!!!Found it!

http://gisc.ie/glenans-sc/content/view/118/84/lang,en/

It was 1986

There was a team on a 18 that did the Northwest Passage. As I remember it took them three years. When the water froze over they'd leave the boat and return the next year to resume the trip. There was a National Geographic article and a book written about it.

http://www.thebeachcats.com/modules.php ... %20Passage

With global warming a number of shipping companies are considering using the Passage to shorten shipping time between China and Europe. If they do it might be time to try again on a Hobie.

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